Fiat Chrysler Group Australia (FGCA) says it will revive the golden era of Alfa Romeo in Australia with a suite of new models, at least two of which promise to reconnect the nameplate with its sporting roots.
Beginning later this year the revitalisation of the Italian marque will see a facelifted MiTo arrive in local dealerships. The new model is expected to introduce minor technical upgrades, increased equipment and mild aesthetic changes. In-line with its other major announcement yesterday, there is not expected to be a significant increase in price. The MiTo will be joined by additional Giulietta variants at the year’s end, ahead of a mid-life overhaul for that model “sometime in early 2014”.
In perhaps more exciting news, FCGA confirmed the release of its stunning mid-engine 4C for next year. The importer’s director of product strategy, Alex Tam said the model “will arrive in Australian dealerships in around February 2014”.
The 4C, which will make its international debut other major announcement yesterday, is based on underpinnings it shares with the KTM X-Bow (pronounced cross bow). Expect a price tag of “around $80,000 for the 4C, which will be powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine married to Alfa’s TCT dual-clutch transmission. Finally, the Alfa Romeo family will see the return of a prodigal son in the form of its Mazda MX-5-shared Spider. Following on from the announcement of a signed ‘final agreement’ in January, Alfa Romeo’s local importers advised the sexy roadster’s arrival in local showrooms will take place in 2015. Keen to continue, FCGA promised Australian fans of the brand that it would not rest on its laurels and would work closely with Alfa’s Turin HQ to ensure increased and quicker access to as many right-hand drive models as it thinks are feasible.
The news and heavily revised pricing of its current line-up should see Alfa Romeo increase its sales percentage by year’s end. In 2012, Alfa Romeo sold just 906 vehicles in Australia, a figure that represented a 17 per cent fall on its 2011 performance.
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