2012 Alfa Romeo Giulia Confirmed, Seven New Models By 2014

ALFA ROMEO has today confirmed that its upcoming successor to the ageing 159 sedan, officially named Giulia, will arrive in 2012.

Alfa's answer to the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the 2012 Alfa Romeo Giulia will be built on an existing Fiat platform, featuring a sedan and a wagon in its line-up.

Speaking at Fiat's presentation of its 2010-2014 business plan, CEO Sergio Marchionne declared the Alfa brand will be transformed into a "full-line premium carmaker" by 2014, with seven new models planned.

Part of Alfa's revival will be driven by the brand's return to the North American market, where it expects to sell around 85,000 cars in 2014 alone. At that time, Marchionne expects Alfa to be selling 500,000 cars globally. In 2008, the perennial loss-maker sold just 103,000 cars.

New models planned include a compact SUV based on the platform underpinning the new Giulietta hatch, with production set to begin in 2012.

A larger SUV, based on the Jeep Cherokee, will be introduced in 2014. Both SUV models will be built in the US, where Chrysler is retooling three of its plants to manufacturer the new Fiat-Chrysler joint platforms.

A five-door version of the MiTo is planned, with production set to begin in 2013.

The Giulietta, while brand-new and not due for its European debut until May, is already scheduled for an update in 2014.

A new Alfa Romeo Spider is planned for 2013, to be built on a new Chrysler platform.