Yet another 'new Alfas' story

Leonard Hofstadter

Well, I await with bated breath, but I would truthfully love this one to be true. I'll believe it when I see it, though, but I very much like the idea of the 1 series/A3 competitor having none other than rear wheel drive as standard:D! Who will be making the prestige hatchbacks then? Not the Germans, that's for sure.

Of course, there was a time when this might not have been so earth shattering, after all the 1 series is unique in being the only car in this class with 'rear wheel drive as standard' - for now. But as we know, the times are changing and less than 10 years after the 1 series was introduced, we have a 2 series with front wheel drive, and the next generation 1 series will also be front wheel drive, even though this YouTube video shows why BMW themselves think rear wheel drive is better than front wheel drive.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-2015-kickstarts-nine-new-Alfas/

Rwd so you consider it prestige?
Omega was prestigious so I take it?

colm_mcm

If a volume producer bmw can't make RWD pay for itself on small cars, I can't see how afla thinks it can.
Fair play though, but haven't we heard this all before?

colm_mcm

If a volume producer bmw can't make RWD pay for itself on small cars, I can't see how afla thinks it can.
Fair play though, but haven't we heard this all before?

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

If a volume producer bmw can't make RWD pay for itself on small cars, I can't see how afla thinks it can.
Fair play though, but haven't we heard this all before?

colm_mcm wrote: »

If a volume producer bmw can't make RWD pay for itself on small cars, I can't see how afla thinks it can.
Fair play though, but haven't we heard this all before?

Yes just a moment ago

As for the story, I'll believe it when I see it.

Drummerboy08

LIGHTNING wrote: »

But think of how many cars they will sell to the bar stool experts who say a car must be RWD in order to handle well....

No, think of how many cars will be built on their configurator by the bar stool experts who say a car must be RWD in order to handle well but wont actually put their money where their mouths are and buy a new Alfa......

H3llR4iser

captainspeed wrote: »

Well, I await with bated breath, but I would truthfully love this one to be true. I'll believe it when I see it, though, but I very much like the idea of the 1 series/A3 competitor having none other than rear wheel drive as standard:D! Who will be making the prestige hatchbacks then? Not the Germans, that's for sure.

Of course, there was a time when this might not have been so earth shattering, after all the 1 series is unique in being the only car in this class with 'rear wheel drive as standard'

A thing that, by BMW's own admission, doesn't really have any impact on the 1er sales, as the vast majority of the buyers/owner actually think it's a FWD car

captainspeed wrote: »

- for now. But as we know, the times are changing and less than 10 years after the 1 series was introduced, we have a 2 series with front wheel drive, and the next generation 1 series will also be front wheel drive, even though this YouTube video shows why BMW themselves think rear wheel drive is better than front wheel drive.

Truth is, if the chassis/suspension combination is good where the power is delivered makes a very minor difference. In racing series where RWD and FWD cars race along, they are both equally competitive. Both have strengths and weaknesses; As a matter of fact FWD cars, such as the Alfa 156, the Chevrolet Cruze and the Seat Leon, have dominated touring car championships against BMW,which in turn won 2005, 2006 and 2007.

The only definite advantage belongs to AWD on slippery terrain.

captainspeed wrote: »

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-2015-kickstarts-nine-new-Alfas/

Can I say "not gonna happen"? I mean, the Giulia is a very real prospect, with the dummy car already going around Europe (it has been sighted even in Sweden...). The RWD hatchback...I wouldn't hold my breath.

Leonard Hofstadter

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

No, think of how many cars will be built on their configurator by the bar stool experts who say a car must be RWD in order to handle well but wont actually put their money where their mouths are and buy a new Alfa......

Unfortunately, I suspect you're right. In Ireland anyway too many people will not buy it because it's an Alfa and sure don't you know that means it's going to be very "unreliable" for starters (even though at this stage, BMWs are probably more unreliable than many an Alfa but they're German and German cars are 'reliable' after all supposedly)? Then there is the fact that Alfa have basically sold no cars in Ireland for what, the past 2-3 years at this stage?

Bar stool experts they may be, but in the current climate, who in their right mind would buy a brand spanking new Alfa (even one of these new models) in Ireland when there is going to be no demand for them? Even for a petrolhead it would be hard when you think of the cost involved. The brand has totally fallen off the radar now, because there hasn't been any new product for ages now (even if it was front wheel drive or a Fiat or whatever with an Alfa badge stuck on, at least it would keep the brand awareness up).

I would like to think that in other, less conservative markets, the new cars will be received well and they might shift a few. You have to admire the fact that they're going against convention and going from not making any rear wheel drive cars (excluding the likes of the 8C etc) to only making rear wheel drive in a world where the so-called manufactures of the 'ultimate driving machine' think front wheel drive and small capacity 3 or 4 cylinder engines are OK for much as 50% of their sales in the next few years, and all the EU CO2 bullcrap. I like the fact that Alfa are trying to do the right thing now just whoring off their badge onto any old yoke in order to make a quick buck like BMW are doing (though one could argue that up till now, this is what Alfa were doing, but even so, at least they're going back to their roots).

Unfortunately, I do worry that even if the critics think the new cars are wonderful and the rear wheel drive means it comprehensively outdrives a 1 series or 3 series or whatever, they may have left it too late, with all the u-turns over the past few years. But it would be a very sad day for the automotive world if Alfa was to disappear.

Tazio

Post 2006 Alfa Romeo cars unreliable? Depends what you mean. I've never had to walk home with a 159. However I am on my 4th drivers window regulator and 4th sump nut ,and 2nd set of heated wing mirrors, and 2nd timing chain and 2nd set of M32 gearbox bearings.

I've been awaiting a new Alfa saloon/sedan for a few years now. I want to buy a new car in 2015.. but alas I fear a Jaguar XF will be my choice.

Please Alfa make the new 6C 3200.. (the new tipo 952 won't be called a 'Giulia').