Alfa Romeo could use Cadillac RWD platform

[BumbleBee]

Hey Everyone,

Given that Cadillac and Alfa Romeo are my two favorite brands I thought this was an interesting piece of news. If Cadillac provides Alfa with the RWD platform, maybe GM will get some of their small engine technologies and diesel engine technologies.

In any case, I thought it was interesting reading and I could think of worse bed fellows. Happy Reading...

Motor Authority - If Alfa Romeo is serious about competing with Germany’s premium labels it will eventually have to drop its FWD only lineup but the carmaker’s low volume status makes developing a brand new premium RWD platform unfeasible. One solution is to license an existing design from another carmaker, and latest reports claim that’s exactly what’s going to happen over the next couple of years as Alfa updates its lineup and prepares for its relaunch into North America.

Alfa Romeo was previously in talks with Mercedes-Benz over a possible platform sharing deal but all discussions between the two carmakers have come to an end. Alfa is said to be looking for a premium design for a new flagship saloon as well as the replacement for the current 159 sedan. Germany’s AutoBild is now reporting that Alfa could use Cadillac’s first-generation Sigma platform for its new cars (the original Sigma platform was used for the first-generation CTS and current STS sedans in Cadillac’s lineup).

According to the source, every Alfa model positioned above the 147 hatchback will eventually become RWD. Some of the cars that will switch to RWD include the next Alfa Spider, Brera Coupe, 159 and the all-new 169 flagship. The report also goes on to claim sister-brand Maserati will use the platform for a new 2+2 seater coupe, roadster and small sedan.


Next year will see the launch of the first RWD Alfa since the early 1990s’ 75 in the form of the all-new 8C Competizione sports coupe, and by the looks of things we’re in store for a whole lot more.

[Kennyboy]

I just say no to that. No way Cadillac wants to associate with an inferior crappy car company.

[T-Type]

Link?

[BBDOS CV8]

Interesting, given that the current 159 uses a 2.8 HFV6 made for them by Holden, in Australia. Yes, basically the same unit unturbo'd that Saab uses.

[mikesright]

Honestly, I think GM's excommunicating Alfa's (and Fiat's) a** for holding them to the put option they signed, essentially taking $2 billion from GM while they weren't looking. GM's not going to be in a cherry mood to sign away their best platform to Alfa for a song and a wish.

[rhvfd10]

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/a...-rwd-platform/

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by Kennyboy

I just say no to that. No way Cadillac wants to associate with an inferior crappy car company.

Alfa Romeo > Cadillac

[jeep2c]

It's a way for GM to continue to make money off of a platform (Sigma-I) that we're abandoning.

With the CTS already on Sigma-II, and the STS getting basically axed/combined with the DTS, and the SRX being replaced with the BRX the Sigma-I will be unused.

Why not liscense it to someone and make money off of it?

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Alfa Romeo > Cadillac

And yet Cadillac develops their own chassis, while Alfa must go begging for one with their hat in their hand.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Cadillac >> Alfa Romeo

CobaltSScrazy

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Alfa Romeo > Cadillac

[mbukukanyau]

My uncle Owned an Alfa Romeo. It had a Datsun Engine and a lot of parts from everywhere.
I would not touch it with a pole.

Cadillac>>> Anything Fiat

[BumbleBee]

"My uncle Owned an Alfa Romeo. It had a Datsun Engine and a lot of parts from everywhere.
I would not touch it with a pole.

Cadillac>>> Anything Fiat "

Its funny how GM would like to everyone to forget its past and the crappy cars it built through the late 80s and 90s but not recognize that other companies can improve.

Alfa would like to purchase the Sigma II platform from Cadillac because it makes ECONOMIC SENSE to do so. Both are lower volume vehicles and they could benefit from sharing technologies.

You guys may think Fiats are crap but do some research and you will find they manufacture the BEST small engines in the world. Something that GM could seriously use right now.

[powervette]

honestly I don't have any opinion about that platform sharing. All I can say is the old idea of merging Alfa and Cadillac in one elegant showroom wasn't bad,certainly better than selling XLR along with Cobalt.

[CobaltSScrazy]

You've OBVIOUSLY! never driven a DI DOHC Ecotec 2.0 Turbo LNF... or an LSJ 2.0 Ecotec DOHC S/C...

CobaltSScrazy

Originally Posted by BumbleBee

"My uncle Owned an Alfa Romeo. It had a Datsun Engine and a lot of parts from everywhere.
I would not touch it with a pole.

Cadillac>>> Anything Fiat "

Its funny how GM would like to everyone to forget its past and the crappy cars it built through the late 80s and 90s but not recognize that other companies can improve.

Alfa would like to purchase the Sigma II platform from Cadillac because it makes ECONOMIC SENSE to do so. Both are lower volume vehicles and they could benefit from sharing technologies.

You guys may think Fiats are crap but do some research and you will find they manufacture the BEST small engines in the world. Something that GM could seriously use right now.

[asrapid]

Alfa make some very good and very nice cars. As long as Fiat pays for using platform i don't think this is a problem. Maybe GM could have shared their scrapped v8 Ultra with top models Alfa like someone suggested on other topic.Since there is rumors about future alfa 169 having V8 (i think ferrari engine might be liittle bit expensive ).