Fiat/Chrysler outlines plans for new Alfa Romeo and Jeep models

Fiat and Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne has outlined plans that will see the upcoming Alfa Romeo Giulia (replacement for the 159) and a new Jeep Cherokee/Liberty produced at Fiat’s historic Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy.
Both cars are to be based around a reworked version of Fiat’s highly flexible C-Evo platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Already widened to accommodate Chrysler’s Pentastar V6, the re-engineered platform, known as the C-Evo Wide, has now been modified further with a longer wheelbase and wider tracks, in the process giving it a further new D-Evo name in its latest guise. Along with front-wheel drive, the new underpinnings also provide the scope for four-wheel drive.

In a statement to its trade unions, Fiat noted: “This platform represents the most advanced architecture available today, originally designed for the Giulietta and further developed at Chrysler. This universal platform is to be shared by the two groups and will be used for all future C and D segment passenger cars and SUVs.”
All three variants of the platform will be capable of running down the same line at Mirafiori, setting up the possibility of a wide range of Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Lancia models heading out of the same factory in a move aimed at providing valuable economies of scale.
Speaking about the Giulia and Cherokee/Liberty Marchionne said: “These will be flagship models for Alfa Romeo and Jeep, the most international brands of the two groups (Fiat and Chrysler) with significant development potential globally.” While the Fiat and Chrysler boss failed to provide much detail on the Giulia and Cherokee/Liberty, he did confirm the new models to be added at Mirafiori were due to be launched in the third and fourth quarters of 2012.
The total investment for the reworking of the Mirafiori plant to handle production of C-Evo, C-Evo Wide and D-Evo passenger cars and SUVs is put at €1 billion ($US1.32 billion), to be split evenly between the Fiat and Chrysler Groups - tai.Source URL: http://carneeew.blogspot.com/2010/11/fiatchrysler-outlines-plans-for-new.html
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