During a Tuesday meeting in Rome with representatives of the government and trade unions, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed the Italian group's product plan that has been revised after the alliance with the Chrysler Group earlier this year. We already told you about the introduction of Fiat's new twin-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine on the 500 mini next year, but let's see what else the group has in store for the European market.
Bypassing the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Fiat Doblo van that we already know about, Fiat's product plan concentrates on Lancia, a brand that up until now, was clearly neglected by the Italian firm. That's going to change now that Fiat has linked Lancia's portfolio with Chrysler's lineup.
First of all, 2010 will see a minor facelift for the Ypsilon mini and Musa mini MPV as well as a model year update on the Delta that is rumored to be revealed with a Chrysler badge at next month's Detroit auto show.
2011, however, promises to be a significant year for Lancia as Fiat plans to introduced four new vehicles -all of which will be derived from Chrysler models- to the brand's European lineup.
These include a mid-size family sedan and convertible (a Lybra successor most likely based on the Sebring), a new flagship luxury sedan (Thesis replacement that's rumored to be based on the 300) and a large MPV (probably the Town and Country).
In 2011, Fiat will also gain a Chrysler Group-derived crossover model while the most important introduction for the brand will be the next-generation Panda that will be offered with the firm's new twin-cylinder turbocharged engines.
Other than the new compact-sized Giulietta, Alfa Romeo's plans include a model year update for the 159 sedan, the presentation of the more hardcore 8C Competizione GTA and a light facelift for the MiTo supermini.
As you can see, Marchionne's plans for Alfa do not include the long awaited SUV / Crossover model nor a replacement for the 169. Apparently, the focus on the Lancia brand comes at the cost of Alfa's future...
All in all, over the next two years, the Fiat Group is planning the launch of 17 new models and upgrades of 13 existing models.
PS: The opening photo is a Carscoop photoshop
22 Comments:
The reliability of Fiat + Chrysler products is going to worry me.
Was the Sebring convertible really that remarkable to rebadge as a Lancia?
All Chrysler cars are terrible so thinking they ll make Lancia cars based on Chryslers is a terrifying idea! What Lancia needs is brand new cars. Not ones based on other terrible!
The only good news is the 8C GTA.
God i hope it doesnt look anyhting like the photoshop at the start of the story - thats horrendous!
Have the Italians gone pazzo nella testa???
Lancia is probably better off untouched!
Jorge
The Sebring? Really???? As a Lancia???
There must be an earthquake by Mr Lancia's grave...
Italians must have gone crazy. The flair & aroma of Italian car can never be combined with any of Chrysler's .. cars.
What on earth is there in common between a Lancia and Chrysler 300, and all that at the cost of Alfa's future !
As I am a genuine Alfista (presently proud Owner of 156 2.0 TS, 147 1.6 TS, 159 2.2 ti) I am really very disapointed with FIAT'S future plans.
AUTODELTA
That 300/Delta rendering made me throw up a little.
April already?
3Deuce27
I can not believe this... I agree Mr. Vincenzo must be rolling around his grave looking for a way out, I just don't see a good future coming out of this.
The 300 is actually one of Chrysler's top selling cars and go figure it's actually based off of Mercedes.
If Fiat goes with this design they seriously have killed this car. It's like they took the forehead of the Witch King from Lord of the Rings and slapped it the front of the 300.
Chrysler is done for if this product comes out looking like this. The 300 has a lot of competition from Buick's LaCrosse, Hyundai's Genesis, Ford's Taurus, & Nissan's Maxima. Ralph Gilles (guy responsible for the 300/Charger/Magnum cars) where are you?
"All Chrysler cars are terrible..."
What a stupid comment.
There is nothing wrong with the LX/LY cars. Nothing at all. In fact - they're very nice cars. And - believe it or not - reliable. Imagine that.
As for the design of that 300 based Lancia - might I remind all of you of the very last thing said in that article.... "The opening photo is a Carscoop photoshop".
FIAT now stands for: Forget It American Taxpayers
I see a resurgence with Fiat/Chrysler. It will start with the 500 mini & continue rolling forward. Daring, risk-taking design with fine quality that rivals Lexus/Toyota. The progression will be undeniable.
PS: The opening photo is a Carscoop photoshop
The dolt who says that these cars are reliable..... Do you, or did you actually own one? The front wheel drive LH cars were much better looking than the rear drive LX versions but riddled with electrical and mechanical problems. The LX cars were only marginally better than the LH cars in terms of quality and reliability. I know, I've owned them.
Chrysler 200C-based Lancia Thesis would be a rational idea,but just badge-engineering should be avoided!
The 200C Chrysler will compete with the likes of Cadillac CTS,Infiniti G37,BMW 3-series,and Lexus IS. So she would be engineered carefully to take on formidable rivals.
In this point,how does the new Lancia Thesis face her contenders from Mercedes CLS/BMW New 5-series to Audi S5 Sportback/VW Passat CC in fierce European E-segment? Half-way expected half-way anxious.
The Sebring based Lancia's are going to be based on the revised and redesigned Sebring. Its not going to be the same crap we get today. It will be re-shaped and redesigned. its suspension will get revised for better ride and handling, higher quality interior and the newer Pentastar V6's and updated World Engines. Its the same platform though, which is a decent base because the Sebring ranks very good in safety.
When Fiat annonced the Italian Job return to USA, many of YOU were EXited...uuuhh, now that they are ready to it the shores, the prejudice reveals, i am european and our european cars have very good standarts in quality and reliability, and I am also a youngster of a global society, that percieves todays technologie, globalization, comunications can be effective producing great things, if the idea is good, it can be a hit. Like the 500 is being in all the world except the rest (USA). lol
capiche? gringos???
I think it could work if it was modified a bit more something more like this?? http://i50.tinypic.com/291p4e8.jpg
what's this. competition for the ugliest car in planet or what
Lancia and Chrysler both have specific design at that will work good
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