Alfa Romeo confirms SUV for 2010
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Alfa Romeo Kamal concept
If Alfa Romeo is to make a successful return to the North American market, it will need to rely on more than its sexy Italian image. On these shores, that means two contradictory elements are needed in its line-up: sport-utes and green tech. Towards that end, Alfa's newly-appointed CEO, Fiat Group wunderkind Luca de Meo, has confirmed two new developments for the company. The first is the production of a sport-utility or crossover vehicle. The second is a start-stop engine system, possibly to be bolstered by hybrid technology borrowed from parent company Fiat.
The crossover, previewed by the Kamal concept at the 2003 Geneva show, is scheduled to debut in 2010. It is anticipated to be based on the 159 platform, which already supports Alfa's Q4 all-wheel-drive system and offers a range of gasoline and turbodiesel engines. Upon its arrival to market, the new Italian SUV will face tough competition from Germany's best compact SUVs, including the Mercedes GLK, BMW X3, Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q5.
Gallery: Alfa Romeo Kamal concept
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ric Hansen 1:05PM (5/21/2008)
Blasphemous.
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Joce03 8:13PM (5/21/2008)
I agree. And for some odd reason, the front end makes me think of a Fisker...
Kunikos 1:06PM (5/21/2008)
Saucy.
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Allan 1:07PM (5/21/2008)
Whether or not they should make an SUV... I think that nose actually looks better on the SUV than most of their cars (even though most of the cars are still sexy).
But seems to me that they're a little late to the SUV party anyway... with fuel costs and energy conservation and all that in mind...
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riggs 1:07PM (5/21/2008)
the kamal = sex.
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Chris 1:08PM (5/21/2008)
Pontiac
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Mel. R 3:20PM (5/21/2008)
Subaru
And one of the comments below proves my guess.
SPG 1:27PM (5/21/2008)
Although I can't imagine how sturdy an Alfa would be off road, even if it is made for the off road, it does look great.
I would imagine this to be an X5 fighter, only with a more unique and intresting design.
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ello 1:29PM (5/21/2008)
Didn't Alfa Romeo already released an SUV here in USA? Oh yeah, it was called an 06-07 Subaru Tribeca and it was actually designed by one of Alfa designers therefor the similarities of the snout. Tribeca received so much criticism here in USA that it had to be redesigned for 2008.
Just proves that Americans are the most brand conscious customers that the world has ever seen because I bet if that Tribeca had an Alfa badge on it, everyone would be saying how it is sex on wheels.
Anyway, Alfa and SUVs do not mix, but I guess since Porsche did it then there is nothing sacred in this world anymore. It's all about money, always was but in todays day and age people don't have any limits as to where push the boundaries.
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bakka 1:33PM (5/21/2008)
What next? A Ferrari SUV?
Lamborghini did that a long time ago,barf....barf....
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Flea 1:39PM (5/21/2008)
huh? EVERY DAMN manufacturer out there has (annoyingly) an SUV in their lineup, with rare exceptions
If BMW and Audi can, why can't Alfa? At least we'll have a few SUVs on the road that don't look like giant fridges or hippos on wheels.
jgp 1:52PM (5/21/2008)
*sigh*
And they were one of the last holdouts. At least we still have Jaguar...
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Soccer Mom 2:03PM (5/21/2008)
Looks like Hyundai.
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Dave 1:58PM (5/21/2008)
Sorry to break it to you guys but Americans no longer want SUVs. CNBC had a story on it here's the link
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=749082113&play=1.
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James 5:23PM (5/21/2008)
Americans still want SUVs. They just want them to be smaller and car-based, so they can call them CUVs instead. It's all marketing, really.
tanooki2003 1:58PM (5/21/2008)
No more SUV's please!!!
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Frank 1:58PM (5/21/2008)
Isn't this really a CUV since it's based off a car platform? And does anyone have any idea of the what the mpg will be? If it's not very good then I say dumb idea.
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almost25 2:12PM (5/21/2008)
Actually, Kamal means perfection; not sex. However, vehicles of this type are perfect for.... nobody? A 159 Sportwagon (http://www.alfa159.co.uk/) would suit fine. The Alfa SU/CUV seems to be 'perfect' as a less expensive response to the BMW X6, however. (http://goodcarbadcar.blogspot.com/2008/04/where-bmw-x6-sits-wise.html)
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riggs 3:10PM (5/21/2008)
i meant sex as in "as good as" meaning i like it. soz.
nastinupe 2:35PM (5/21/2008)
Just as oil crosses the $132.00 a barrell mark.
Can I please be a CEO, they apparently aren't that bright. I know that I can make better decisions t
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