Autocar Magazine

14 May 2014

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER new plan for Alfa Romeo. So what makes this one different? It’s a valid question. We have, after all, become begrudgingly accustomed to briefings from Fiat HQ about the future of its sporty premium brand that have never manifested themselves. Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has overseen some of these abandoned schemes, but the latest news – detailed on p10-13 – seems to have more backbone than previously. It sounds good, too: a return to rear-drive, sporty, upmarket Alfas. Not to mention a huge network of dealers desperate to have something with which to tempt back buyers long lost to the smarter German brands, Jaguar or the Japanese. Easier said than done, though. So are Marchionne’s equally punchy plans for Fiat, Jeep and Maserati, which we also detail in our special news section. What’s really been lacking from Fiat lately is truly great cars across the board. Granted, there’s the 500, but you can’t survive on a one-hit wonder. Mr Marchionne has long since proved his business credentials. Let’s hope he’s equally adept at launching world-class cars. Chas Hallett, Editor