Report: Alfa Romeo to be planning a BMW 5-Series competitor based on upcoming Maserati Ghibli

CAR Magazine of the United Kingdom reports that Alfa Romeo is interested in taking on the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class by introducing a mid-sized luxury sports sedan. Alfa Romeo have recently tightened their aim on the big dogs as the current but aging 159 has been said to be their answer to the BMW 3-Series.

Now, word is Alfa wants to up its game even more by introducing an “executive” saloon based on a Maserati. It could come as early as 2015. Alfa Romeo’s last attempt at the BMW 5-Series was the Alfa Romeo 166, which ended production in 2007.

This is due to the fact that Fiat is working real hard to maintain the momentum of their extremely aggressive sales increase plans. Additionally, because of rumors that Maserati’s plans to introduce a new Ghibli sedan, this reportedly gave Alfa Romeo an opportunity to do something of their own, using the same platform.

It utilizes a smaller and shorter version of the new Quattroporte’s platform, including downsized engines. In terms of this new Alfa Romeo 169, CAR says that it will have the same twin-turbocharged V6 and diesels as this Ghibli.

And while it has been eons since we’ve received a mid-sized Alfa Romeo, there’s reason to suspect that we just might see this 169 on our shores because of CEO Sergio Marchionne’s aggressive plans to reestablishin Alfa Romeo in the North American market. Fiat is already back, and so is Alfa themselves with the new 4C. And that’s just the trickle before the wave. Though there is no official word.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: CARMagazineUK