Alfa Romeo’s return to the United States won’t happen until late 2009, according to a new report by AutoWeek. In late May, Italy’s Quattroruote reported much the same thing, saying the brand wouldn’t be seen on North American shores until some time around 2010 — Alfa’s 100th anniversary. Previous reports had suggested Alfa would return as soon as late 2007.
The first models to be launched in the United States will be the 159 sedan, Brera coupe, and Spider convertible. All three models were designed knowing they would one day come to the United States, says Alfa Romeo spokesman Richard Gadeselli. All three models are also based on Alfa’s new “Premium” platform, which was codeveloped with GM’s Saab unit. It supports front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, and meets U.S. safety regulations.
After 2010, three more Alfa models may eventually find themselves stateside, the report says. The first will be a compact SUV inspire by the Kamal concept in 2011. Another possible arrival in 2011 is the Sprint — a successor to the Alfa Sud Sprint developed under the “Racer” code-name. However, AutoWeek says its sources are unsure if Alfa will proceed with the vehicle at all. Lastly, a crossover called the 169 could arrive in 2012 under the 169 nameplate, though it’s unclear how it would differ from the Kamal-based SUV.
Recent rumors have also suggested a production version of the Alfa 8C concept may come to the ‘States.
07/13, 8:47 AM
posted by:
Thing2
This time, they should make bigger seats for our fat American asses, and then they won’t have to pull out again…
07/13, 8:55 AM
posted by:
sh.yoon
Hooray for FWD, unreliable, unsafe, boring cars!
07/13, 9:03 AM
posted by:
ss
ill be in the market for a new car about that time. ill take a Brera coupe in red please =^). they are deff a breath of fresh air from the current bland styling of cars that are here now. something defiantly Italian about them. i like it.
07/13, 9:19 AM
posted by:
Atomicbri
I wish they would hurry! I love the 159, such style and presense. Maybe by that time I can get a Brera even!
07/13, 9:25 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
Looks like everyone in the Sopranos is up for a new car.
07/13, 9:57 AM
posted by:
Kris Benson
Isn’t this the 44th time in the last 15 years that Alfa has announced they are coming back to North America?
I’ll believe it when I see it.
07/13, 10:00 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
You’ll believe it when you see them broken down on the side of the road.
07/13, 12:15 PM
posted by:
Cartman
Wow, a new marketleader in depreciation set to hit our shores. Good news is that if you wait a year you can probably pick up a next to new one for half sticker, just sell before the warranty runs out….
07/13, 12:39 PM
posted by:
Pruce
Not for nothing, but DAMN! These are some nice looking cars!
07/13, 1:45 PM
posted by:
JS
#7: Are you talking about seeing GM-powered Breras broken down on the side of the road?
07/13, 1:48 PM
posted by:
Leopold Porkstacker
Real Alfa Romeo sportscars have RWD.
-he who stacks pork
07/13, 4:01 PM
posted by:
Jordan
I love the 159. I know it’ll be my moms next car, cuz it’s real nice and its moderatly priced. I can’t beleive that these cars are going to be GM powered, what kind of **** and bull story is that!? I can’t beleive it. So it’s going to be TOO expensive for Alfa Romeo to open 3 plants in North America? The cars already have left hand drive. All then need to do is widen the liscence plates and the seats (considering everything is bigger here in the U.S. especially the people!) LOL I don’t understand! These cars will sell like crazy. Especially the 159. I rather have that over another boring BMW 3 Series or another repetative Mercedes-Benz C Class. Alfa better be coming for real this time or I will be very dissapointed! I mean MG is coming back. Only because some rich chinese guy bought the company out! And now he is going to make alot of money when he bring them to the U.S.! The only two car companie that wouldnt be able to run stablily in the U.S. are Citroen and Fiat. Is that not true?
07/13, 4:07 PM
posted by:
adam
I’ll finally have to replace my moms 164 I wrapped around the telephone pole while in highschool. Crap!!!
07/13, 6:56 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
#2, I think Alfa’s are about as un-boring as you can get in an entry-level lux sedan.
07/13, 10:29 PM
posted by:
VB
I have to agree with SS. That Brera coupe is one sharp piece! Coming from a current (and satisfied) Acura RSX owner: Honda, pay attention! Get some soul back into your Acura line. Work from the bottom up!
07/14, 10:31 AM
posted by:
megator
alfas are quite reliable. I think theyll sell quite well in america since they are cheaper than most europeans but way better than general american cars. I mean most ppl would choose an alfa over an equivalent american car for the money.
07/14, 11:28 AM
posted by:
v2
That sedan and the sports coupe are hot. Not bad looking for right out of the box and who cares who is powering them at the more affordable price points. If you want engine character step up to the big boys or buy a classic used car for your money.
07/14, 6:15 PM
posted by:
bmw
when will alfa romea come out with a 159 gta or brera gta
07/16, 1:46 PM
posted by:
But The English Coutryside Also Bores You
If you are bored with this car, you are bored with life. I’d buy the red Spider at the top.
07/17, 4:41 AM
posted by:
doug
i dont care how unreliable they are, alfa cars are freaking beautiful. ill take an alfa over any domestic cars(okay maybe not the GT and Z06)
07/25, 3:02 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
The 159 Model is HOT. I wonder if there is a way i can get one imported now? Much more elegent looking compared to most american cars.
08/15, 6:05 PM
posted by:
Thomas Spencer
I have owned and still own Alfas, but I long for the day when I can have a FRESH one that smells NEW! These cars are notoriously reliable, it’s the US dealers that ruined their reputation in the past. Their innards are tough as goat guts and they run like the Energizer Bunny…. they just keep going and going.
NObody, and I mean NOBODY does styling like Guigaro, and the new 159, although a close cousin to the Saab 9-3 really does have a distinctive Alfa nose and tail.
I will be waiting, on life-support if necessary, for my first new Spider in 20+ years!
11/21, 12:04 AM
posted by:
Filicetti
I’m really looking forward to Alfa’s return. I still miss my Milano, and drove my 164S much further than I should have. After selling my 164S, I have suffered through two BMWs. My current 540i is in the shop again, but this time it is 150 miles from home because it died mid road trip. My Milano, 164S, BMW 525 and BMW 540 all had well over 100K miles on them. At that mileage, the BMWs are as expensive to maintain as the Alfas. Give me the Alfa style, look and feel anytime.