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Alfa Romeo will be completely reinvented with a blitz of new models and a complete rethink of its business in time for its 100th anniversary in 2010 — and a new rear-wheel-drive flagship saloon car is part of the plan.
The model rush will begin with the new Mini-rivalling Junior this year, followed by major reworkings of the 159, Brera and Spider. In early 2009 Alfa will launch a replacement for the 147, based on a more sophisticated version of the Fiat Bravo chassis.
But crowning the rein...Read the full article

Oh god - yes.

Want one.

Now.

 Maybe wait to see if the 15x goes over to RWD, now that would be a major move forwards!

Won't happen.

a better looking Jaguar XF?  perfick!

 

Kee Law:

a better looking Jaguar XF?  perfick!

 
Making a car look better than the XF won't be too much of a challenge :)

not sure about judging the Jag now... I've hated every car from 90's onwards, only for them to grow on me.

As for Alfa using Jag underpinnings, I've never heard anything wrong with the driving experience, so presumably the result would be car-bore's wet dream?
 

On the basis of the pictures in the latest mag, let the wet dreams begin. Love it.

IF the 8C counts as an Alfa(?), then I suppose a 169 built on an XJ platform definitely counts as one!

Andrew Lee:

IF the 8C counts as an Alfa(?), then I suppose a 169 built on an XJ platform definitely counts as one!

Alfa have quite a successful reputation for "Alfaising" other peoples parts (try GM's V6 engine), so hopefully this will be no different. 

At last though, a rear drive main stream car.  If this goes well, I hope the rest of the range follows suit.  Imagine a small rear drive Alfa!  

I think it is good news that the 166 replacement will be RWD as it has more or less been proven that any car larger than the Mondeo class suffers dynamically with a FWD platform.

But should Alfa's smaller models be RWD? I don't think it matters as i don't think many punters would care. FWD cars are as capable as their RWD counterparts from Mondeo size downwards, and this has been exemplified by the fab chassis of Fords. Many will say that part of the Jag X-Type's failure was it drivetrain, but i think its poor sales had more to do with the old-world style of the car than its lack of RWD. Do people who buy a Merc A-Class care that it's driven by the front wheels or the 1-Series buy the rear?! If other manufacturers can do wonders with FWD chassis, why can't the FIAT Group? True, RWD offers slighlty purer handling and steering but it is not the solution to Alfa's dynamic failings.

However, an car with Alfa's style based on the XF's platform sounds delicious. What i found odd though is why Ford never based the in-house rival Volvo S80 on the Jag's platform as the Swede handles and rides like a soft cushion.

 

 

Can't quite agree 'bout the front wheel drive handling, although the big lump of V6 in my 166 does strech the chassis, but yellow Koni's have sorted that. Regarding a RWD 169 - here's hoping, in 10 - 15 year's time when they've dropped into my price range.