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Autocar has learned that Alfa Romeo is planning to replace the defunct 166 with a new large saloon – and company bosses are determined to source a rear-wheel drive platform for the car.

The car would act as a flagship model for the range, although Alfa’s new policy of naming rather than numbering models means it’s unlikely to carry the ‘169’ tag that previous speculation had suggested.

One option is to use the Maserati Quattroporte chassis, although the expense of this would limit ...Read the full article

I know this is an "artist's impression", but this is an incredibly ugly car, with a hint of Subaru B9 Tribeca about the front.

Maserati or Jaguar platform - both options sounds good. The first is probably cheaper for Fiat, since the development was already made in-house, so bigger volumes would reduce costs for both Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

The computer-generated photo of the 169 looks promising too.

To my opinion - ditch the numeric system, and go back to nostalgic Alfa names. It would do wonders to the car's image and desirability.

GerwynPH:

I know this is an "artist's impression", but this is an incredibly ugly car, with a hint of Subaru B9 Tribeca about the front.

 

 

Agreed. If it looks anything like the photo it wouldn't sell, at all, ever.

 Are you joking??  If it looks like that, I'd happily buy one with an Alfa 75 chassis!

I agree it looks stunning - a real agressive front end and slender body.  But it is only an artists imperession so lets not get too carried away.

 It is people not understanding new adventurous designs that leads manufacturers to build a load of dull looking clones.  Open your minds!

 I think it has been said for sometime that the next large Alfa will be based on a Jaguar platform so I am not sure that this is really news!

GazzyP:

It is people not understanding new adventurous designs that leads manufacturers to build a load of dull looking clones.  Open your minds!

 

 

The 159 is stunning. The MiTo is ugly, using a stupid generic nose from the 8C. On the 8C it causes trouser accidents; slapped onto every Alfa design would be stupid.

I think it looks great.

A decent development period into production, allied with the sound chasis/ architecture of the XF and BMW/ Audi/ et al should be very worried indeed.

 

I remember seeing some of the MiTo artist impressions, certainly did not prepare us for the Austin A30 that emerged. The idea of a Jaguar/Alfa-fiat Group tie up or chassis sharing is no bad thing, if it leads to a Maserati based on the XJ aluminum chassis or a sports car Alfa or Maser based on the XK in return if a 'E' type can be co developed with a Alfa cousin why not. It might be worth Mr. Tata looking at the current Lancias, would not take too much to graft on a Rover grill in place of the Lancia item and have a volume seller the new Delta could be a starter and even the Thema weird as it is would look cool with a rover badge!

Hmmm..... interesting proposition.

Now thinking a little further ahead, development of a rear drive X type chassis that could be used on a 159.  A chassis that could be shortened to may be take in a 147/9 replacement......

It would be nice to see a manufacturer (or two as the case may be) other than BMW with a complete rear drive range.

julianphillips:

Are you joking??  If it looks like that, I'd happily buy one with an Alfa 75 chassis!

I'm with Julio.

I think it looks fantastic, but of course, designs like this one will divide opinion.  In the executive class, I think it's vital that the car has a strong identity and this design definitely possesses just that.

A Jag XF chassis would be fantastic too, I think!

Cannot understand the model numbering system.  Why skip generations?  From 164 to 166 then to 169?  At least Peugeot are faithful to their model numbering sequence with the exception of the ugly-duckling 309 ........