Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been caught trademarking the Kamal name, which was last seen on a 2003 crossover concept from Alfa Romeo (pictured) and has now been linked with one of the two SUVs the Italian car-maker is believed to be readying.
The trademark, filed last month by Alfa’s parent company, has been reportedly reserved for a smaller SUV that will sit below the mid-size Stelvio, which was confirmed by FCA boss Sergio Marchionne last February and is said to be in the final stages of development.
Likely to be based on the same 'Giorgio' platform as the Giulia and Stelvio, the small Kamal crossover could also share its powertrains with the all-new mid-size sedan and SUV.
A more cost-effective option could be to base the smaller SUV on the current Fiat 500X platform and share that car’s engines and gearboxes.
Muddying the waters, according to US website Autoblog, FCA has not yet filed a trademark for the Stelvio name in markets like the US, where it’s hoped Alfa's first SUV will prove a hit with American buyers.