Alfa Romeo plans a belated assault on the premium compact SUV market with an all-wheel-drive offering in a similar vein to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3…
Codenamed CSUV, this model is earmarked for production at the firm’s Mirafiori plant in Turin alongside a replacement for Jeep’s Compass and Patriot models late next year.
The CSUV will be underpinned by Fiat’s Compact Plus Global Modular Architecture – essentially an extended version of the Giulietta’s underpinnings capable of accommodating an all-wheel-drive system. The suspension set-up might comprise a MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear system that, along with the chassis, strikes a balance between Alfa’s sporty driving characteristics and a modicum of off-road ability. This more road-orientated set-up, which includes a choice of front- and all-wheel drivetrains, will help to distance the Alfa CSUV from its Jeep siblings, which will most likely feature a more off-road-friendly configuration.
Powerplants have not yet been confirmed, but a choice of MultiAir 2 petrol units and MultiJet diesels are believed to be under consideration. At the lower end of the scale could sit a new 1,75-litre gasoline direct-injection engine developing around 150 kW and a 2,0-litre JTDm diesel good for 105 kW. There is also talk of a 3,3-litre V6 mated with a torque-vectoring all-wheel drivetrain. Based on the Pentastar unit currently doing service in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, this 203 kW engine could also be joined by a new 3,0-litre V6 diesel developing either 164 or 186 kW.
The styling is expected to borrow certain elements from the Mito and Giulietta – particularly the bold front-end with its exaggerated shield grille.
The idea of an Alfa SUV is not a recent development. The Kamal Concept, shown above, was presented at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show as a possible new avenue for the Italian firm. Combining both SUV performance and such MPV-esque touches as modular seating in a stylish package, the Kamal was essentially left on the back burner but now appears to be have found a new lease of life in the CSUV.
Alfa’s SUV will bolster a relatively lightweight model line-up that currently comprises the long-in-the-tooth GT, Brera and 159 along with the Mito and Giulietta. According to company plans revealed shortly after its merger with Chrysler last year, the 159 will make way for a new Giulia model in 2013 and will be joined by a five-door Mito, the stunning 4C sportscar, a facelifted Giulietta and a Jeep Grand Cherokee-based SUV the following year.
