Alfa Romeo to build 169 sedan on same platform as Chrysler 300... in Ontario, eh?
According to a new report in Financial Post, Alfa Romeo may build its forthcoming 169 sedan in Chrysler LLC's Brampton, Ontario facility – a development made possible by the latter's tie-up with Fiat (which owns Alfa). The article cites a projection by automotive research firm IHS Global Insight that states that the 169 will be built on the same underpinnings with the next Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. That news would make sense as Alfa was reportedly shopping for a rear-drive platform that could be sold in North America as early as a year ago.
If IHS' report is accurate and production on an Ontario-assembled 169 indeed comes to pass, it would mark the first time that a premium European luxury auto is assembled in Canada.
[Source: Financial Post]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Hike15 10:05AM (6/15/2009)
finally a rear drive alfa?
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Harley Cook 10:25AM (6/15/2009)
I bet it won't be a boring grampa car like the Chrysler 300C.
garlinski 10:54AM (6/15/2009)
Ok.. so this will be a brand new Alfa platform based on a Chrysler platform that is based on an old Mercedes E-Class platform? Um, ok?
Redline 11:18AM (6/15/2009)
Nice, lets hope that they don't screw the rest of it up. Being an Alfa the styling will be sexy.
Beastage 11:40AM (6/15/2009)
@ garlinksi
No, this a new platform for the NEXT 300
Jei 12:51PM (6/15/2009)
garlinski :
Ok.. so this will be a brand new Alfa platform based on a Chrysler platform that is based on an old Mercedes E-Class platform? Um, ok?
Exactly. Buying a stake in Chrysler has granted Fiat access to the LY/LX platform which is pretty beefy. I think Chrysler could have done so much more with the architecture, but Daimler didn't want them to do "too well or too much" with it in the luxury category.
Evan 2:48PM (6/15/2009)
It's more like an Alfa badge re-engineering of a Chrysler update to a Chrysler platform based on an old Mercedes platform.
Kiiks 4:18PM (6/15/2009)
You have to admit guys, that was/is a pretty good platform. That guy with an Alpha skin? Might be a lustworthy car!
TORONTO 10:06AM (6/15/2009)
Good news!
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frederic.e 12:24PM (6/15/2009)
a rear drive alfa with an old 300C platform, it's not an Alfa . Why not a V6 Chrysler ! It's not a good idea . First mistake for Marchionne .
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Dondonel 10:23AM (6/15/2009)
How is the 300C platform old? Because it was developed from an older E-class platform? So what, the current E-class platform was also developed from an older E-class platform. Are you saying that the current E-class platform old because of this?
It's a smart move by Fiat. They are getting the only worthy sedan platform owned by Chrysler. My question is what is Fiat going to give Chrysler in exchange for 300C platform? or for Chrysler's new V6? Fiat 500 is good candidate, but it is not enough.
mic414 12:04PM (6/15/2009)
What about the new MultiAir engines? E.g. 1.4 turbo with 170HP. Must be way better than the 2.4 currently found in PT Cruiser and similar size Chryslers.
Ligor 11:33AM (6/15/2009)
Dondonel hit it right on
the C300 platfor even if it is based on the E-class is still one of hte best platforms out there and with minor updates it has huge potential to still be a great platform adn likely better than 95%+ of all pltforms out there. liek he said the new E-class is based onteh old one so it's the same here
Alfa was looking to go RWD and has been questioned and really never considered a proper sport sedan as they are always sexy but let you down with the FWD configuration.
they have a great platform in the 300C and with the new V6 Phoenix engine it will be great.
now the C500 and likely other smaller platforms will be used by Chrystler to combat the likes of hte HOnda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and likely even into Mazda 3 and Civit territory
Kumar 10:08AM (6/15/2009)
Nice,
So maybe we'll see a proper 300-based wagon state-side. The Magnum was ok, but a bit of a stretch for being a wagon with that super-sloped back.
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Frank 10:10AM (6/15/2009)
"The article cites a projection by automotive research firm IHS Global Insight that states that the 169 will be built on the same underpinnings with the next Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger."
I thought all the naysayers out there said Chrysler has no new products in the pipeline (alothough I guess the the new Grand Cherokee and new V6 didn't count). But now they have a new 300 and Charger as well? Could it be - that the blog commenters were - wrong?
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Sea Urchin 10:17AM (6/15/2009)
They may have the product that as you pointed out (V6, Cherokee, 300, Charger) are all gas hogs, which may not sell well in the current market, let alone in the market where gas will cost $3+
zamafir 10:59AM (6/15/2009)
They don't. Go read their bankruptcy papers. Fiat will help and they will begin to R&D once more. Mentioning a platform will underpin a future model, and mentioning a future model is in the later stages of development and will be ready for production and delivery Shorty, are two different situations entirely.
I’m looking forward to hearing more news like this, perhaps Chrysler will end up better than GM in a years time.
Frank 12:28PM (6/15/2009)
Sea Urchin,
The new V6 is no puny 4 banger motivating a Tata Nano, but it's hardly inefficient. All vehicles with the new motor will get better mileage than before.
n8new 1:18PM (6/15/2009)
Come on, now -- you know that one of the conditions of blogging and commenting on this site is that you must never admit that you were wrong!
Mr.Oak 10:16AM (6/15/2009)
...and there were those who said that FIAT was stupid for doing this deal, because Chrysler had nothing to offer.
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