Alfa will share Giulia platform with Fiat and Chrysler

Alfa Romeo has announced that the Giorgio platform that underpins both the Giulia and Stelvio SUV will be shared with other Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) vehicles.

Created to help Alfa battle German rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the rear-wheel drive Giorgio architecture is now destined to be used by Chrysler and even Maserati for their future sport sedans, coupes and SUVs.

Announcing that other brands would be allowed to use the architecture, Alfa Romeo boss Reid Bigland told Automotive News: "Modifying that platform to spawn additional FCA products is a possibility", he said.

Bigland also added: "We've got a jewel here. In terms of driving dynamics, it's best in class, so it's going to be difficult to keep that exclusive for Alfa Romeo."

Sharing the new Giorgio platform will prove hugely beneficial to the Italian car-maker, industry commentators say, as it will help Alfa Romeo recoup some of the one billion euros it spent developing the architecture.

Before the confirmation that other FCA brands will also be able to use the rear-drive platform, which can also be converted to all-wheel drive, the company revealed that eight different models would be based on the Giorgio platform -- from a compact MiTo or Giulietta replacement to a new range-topping hatch.

As we've also reported, the Giorgio platform is odds-on to underpin not just Chrysler's next 300, but the next-gen Dodge Charger sedan and Challenger coupes, which may finally come Down Under post-2020.