Alfa Romeo 166 to be manufactured in the United States
By Andrew C., 29 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
As a direct result of Fiat‚ control of the Chrysler Group, the two companies are integrating several of their processes and so now we come to hear about their concrete plans. Alfa Romeo is said to make a rear-wheel drive replacement for its defunct 166 executive saloon exclusively in North America, where most will be sold.
It is speculated that the plant will be Chrysler‚ Canadian Brampton 300C site, which will also supply Europe with the car. The new big Alfa, originally codenamed project 169, will share a brand new, Chrysler-developed platform planned for the next-generation 300C and Dodge Charger saloons. The Alfa version however, will feature bespoke suspension and powertrains. Fiat and Chrysler are merging their product development, manufacturing, purchasing and distribution processes. Continued after the jump!
In addition, Alfa will soon collaborate closely with Dodge, which is the most sporting brand in the Chrysler portfolio. Fiat said that we‚Äôll know more about its product plans for the Chrysler Group in mid-November. There‚ no confirmation but already, many are excited about the Chrysler/Dodge rear-drive platform providing the basis of a new Alfa Spider and Brera. In shortened form, it may even provide the basis of the Challenger. However, it is also possible that the architecture may be too large to suit European buyers.
Meanwhile, there is also talk that Alfa is exploring the return of the Spider, and possibly its mainstream coupe siblings, to a rear-wheel drive format. In turn, Chrysler will be taking three platforms from Fiat known as ‘A” (500, Panda), ‘B’ (Grande Punto) and ‘C’, the last being new and the basis for the 147-replacing Milano which debuts early next year. The ‘C’ platform will be stretched to provide architecture for the new Giulia, which replaces the 159. It is also speculated for the Giulia and Milano to be manufactured in the US once Chrysler and Dodge are producing their own models on these platforms.
[via autocar]
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