Prepare for Italian invasion

Ateco Automotive, importers for Fiat and Alfa Romeo, have confirmed a busy schedule of launches over the next two years. Eight new models are expected to join the local line-up by 2012 across both brands, including the introduction of the Abarth performance brand.

Despite the new Fiat 500C (more here) going on sale in the United Kingdom this week Ateco spokesman Edward Rowe explained that the car isn't likely to appear locally until the second half of 2010. Demand for the baby convertible in Europe is the main reason for the delay with Fiat keen to sure up supply in its primary markets before expanding to Australia.

That's the same reason holding up the introduction of Fiat's hot hatch brand, Abarth. Rowe confirmed that both the 500 Abarth (more here) and Punto Abarth (more here) have been homologated for Australian roads. Despite the delay Rowe said Ateco remained committed to bringing the brand to Australia. Although no official date has been locked in, both models should land in Australia in 2010.

Another arrival next year will be the Alfa Romeo MiTo with the firm's new double-clutch transmission. Alfa Romeo Australia's General Manager Edward Butler confirmed at the manual MiTo model's launch this week that the new automatic gearbox would arrive in the first half of 2010.

The new DCT will effectively replace the company's robotised manual that has failed to capture the Australian market. Butler said he expects the addition of the self-shifting gearbox to have a significant impact on MiTo sales, possibly more the double the 35-40 per month they are targeting with the manual-only range.

The MiTo range will also expand next year with the addition of the red-hot GTA (more here). Although Butler said he wants the GTA "as soon as possible" the 170kW 1.8-litre turbocharged machine hasn't officially launched in Europe yet, so there is still some waiting to be done.

But that's not all for 2010 with the MiTo's bigger sister, the five-door Milano also on the cards. Although spied looking production ready recently (more here) the car isn't due for European launch until next year. Ateco has the car pencilled in for late next year to replace the ageing 147.

Following that will be the successor to the 159 sedan and wagon, the Giulia. Details are still sketchy, even though the name was confirmed in Chrysler's submission to the US government earlier this year.

It is expected that like the MiTo and Milano the new Giulia will follow the design theme of the 8C Competizione supercar. Most likely based on the Fiat Bravo platform the Giulia should follow the 159 in being available in both front and all-wheel drive guises.
 
Butler indicated the Giulia will arrive either late in 2011 or early 2012.

Completing the rejuvenation of the Alfa Romeo line-up will be the replacement for the defunct 166. Tentatively referred to as the 169, the new large sedan will follow the company's decision to return to names for its models instead of numbers.

Speculation has indicated the car could be built on the same platform as the Chrysler 300C and manufactured in Canada. It has also been tipped to move away from the traditional large sedan style and closer towards the 'four-door coupe' segment to compete against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

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