Alfa Romeo first hinted at the possibility of a SUV when it revealed the Kamal Concept at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, however development didn’t really begin in earnest until executives confirmed plans for a return to the SUV-crazed North American market.

Kamal Concept heritage, shared 159 platform
This rendering shows that Alfa’s new SUV, scheduled to debut in 2010, will likely be styled along the lines of the original Kamal Concept and will be released in both 3 and 5-door variants.

The underpinnings for both vehicles are expected to be based on a revised version of the platform used for the 159 sedan, which means a range of four and six-cylinder engines will likely make the cut. Platform sharing will be another key to Alfa’s return to the North American market, as every major carmaker in the world moves to cut costs and improve profitability by doing the same.

Without a strong variety of well-defined yet parts-shared vehicles to offer the picky buying public, the company could face another ungraceful exit from the American scene as it experienced in the early 1980's. 

The flagship Alfa Romeo SUV will run Alfa’s familiar 3.2-litre 24-valve V6 but with several unique elements to post a 168kW output. Other models will include a smaller 2.2-litre petrol version as well as a highly efficient five-cylinder turbo diesel with 400Nm on tap.

New SUV will have tough competition
Alfa’s new SUV will have a lot of competition when it arrives at the end of the decade. Both Mercedes-Benz and Audi recently revealed their respective GLK and Q5 compact SUVs and Volkswagen and BMW also have their own Tiguan and X3 models.

If it shares the wonderful lines of Alfa's recent creations like the Mi.To, and Brera, however, it shouldn't have too much difficulty nabbing sales from its more stodgy competition.

The SUV is still in its early planning stages, and so no word of a possible Australian variant has yet emerged. The vehicle is being developed primarily for a left-hand drive market, however the Alfa Romeo brand is popular in major RHD markets like the United Kingdom and this could lead to it being introduced as a global model.

• Alfa Romeo in talks with Jaguar over RWD platforms
• Alfa Romeo Mi.To cabrio in the works
• Alfa Romeo to celebrate centenary with special edition 8C ‘GTA’
• Aston Martin to develop production V12-powered Vantage
• Audi A6 range gets updates for 2009

Comments (0)

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment

Share this Story