VW Please save us before this happens

[Paul Gulliver]

News dated  1/4/2011  Turin.

The Chrysler-Fiat disaster continues: a Fiat spokesman in Torino confirmed earlier today that the next generation Alfa GTV will be based on the Chrysler Crossfire platform.  It will slot under the upcoming 4C as the entry-level coupe in Alfa's lineup.  It will be powered by a panoply of Alfa engines that are already in use and a diesel variant is also on the menu.  A GTA version with the 8C Competizione's engine is said to be in the works but will take more time to develop than the coupe.  No images are available at this time but it's safe to assume that the GTV will look significantly different than the Crossfire.   

As shocking as this sounds, it's hardly surprising when you look at Fiat's future lineup.  The new Lancia Thema will be based on the Chrysler 300, the Lancia Flavia will be based on the Chrysler 200, Lancia will get a version of the Chrysler Grand Voyager, the TZ3 might use a Viper platform and so on.  It's not the first time the Italians and the Americans collaborate on a car: let us not forget the Chrysler TC by Maserati, among others.

With that said, it's interesting to note that the Crossfire shares 80% of its parts with Mercedes-Benz products, including its R170 platform that was used on the last generation SLK, making it more of a Mercedes than a Chrysler.  It's the kind of hybrid that's possible today because brands work together on a global level but would have been unimaginable 30 years ago: try to picture an Alfetta riding on a R107 SL platform.

The GTV will be imported in the U.S. when it launches in 2013 but the diesel variant will likely stay in Europe.  Stay tuned for more information and photos as they become available.

Source:

[ItalCarGuy]

note the date of that news...

[Paul Gulliver]

I thought that but those idiots at Fiat seem to be capable of anything.

No images are available at this time but it's safe to assume that the GTV will look significantly different than the Crossfire.   

I'm still not sure i want to look

[branko.gt]

note the date of that news...

wishfull thinking Derek !

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Paul, can you post the link to the source please, so we can all judge for ourselves.

[Paul Gulliver]

No problems Sheldon

Its on the current  cover page of Alfa BB, just spotted it tonight

http://www.alfabb.com/

[Paul Gulliver]

Bump,

Err Just a moment Sheldon, i think i might just have my foot in my mouth. Just re read the article . The source at the top of the article is noted as Alfa Romeo news and the source at the bottom of the article April fool .com.

Sincere apologies to our very dear friends at Fiat.

The thought of a sexy little Italian GTV being turned into 2 acres of bad taste trailer trash (Chrysler Crossfire) appears to have got me hook line & sinker 

[Brad M]

note the date of that news...

Nice spotting Derek.

Paul & Branko ... he he

[Barry Edmunds]

Gully, I think that fits in to the GOTCHA category. Bet you weren't the only one though.

[colcol]

So what would you prefer on your new GTV, a front wheel drive Fiat or a rear wheel drive Valiant?, Colin.

[Brad M]

So what would you prefer on your new GTV, a front wheel drive Fiat or a rear wheel drive Valiant?, Colin.

Since having a chuckle yesterday, thanks gully, I have been thinking along the same lines.

What would be wrong with Alfa taking the basic Platform of the RWD Crossfire (& old SLK), and letting the Alfa engineers loose on it?

[L4OMEO]

What would be wrong with Alfa taking the basic Platform of the RWD Crossfire (& old SLK), and letting the Alfa engineers loose on it?

Because that platform's already 15 years old, not really a great starting point when developing a new car with an approximate 8-year lifecycle. Still, probably better than starting with a Polo platform though.

[Paul Gulliver]

So what would you prefer on your new GTV, a front wheel drive Fiat or a rear wheel drive Valiant?, Colin

What would be wrong with Alfa taking the basic Platform of the RWD Crossfire (& old SLK), and letting the Alfa engineers loose on it

I haven't got a problem with any of the above just as long as their starting premise is we can keep it under 2 tonnes & under two acres.

For example i drive a 159, great car ,but its taken them (Fiat)  5 years to get the weight out of it and give it the engine it should have had,  1750 TBI. Then 10 secs later they close half the offering , good bye Brera & Spider.

Management decisions from Fiat at the moment look like an octypus with cerebral palsies  

[Paul Gulliver]

Still, probably better than starting with a Polo platform though.

VW Polo car of the year named world car of the year, Not to sure last time Chyrsler was on the podium.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/50114/volkswagen-polo-named-world-car-of-the-year

[colcol]

The mob that used to make Valiants until the world woke up have always been a basket case, when i started in the Auto caper 35 years ago, Chrysler were always behind the eight ball and still are, the only thing that stopped them going broke years ago was that they owned Jeep, that was a money maker for them, while all their cars bombed, the only reason Fiat become involved with them is because of cheap and plenty of idle plant in America, that can build the new V-6 for Alfa, and because Chrysler are broke, they don't have any small cars that the public want to buy, so Fiat will be able to sell them Fiats rebadged as small Chryslers in the Mopar showrooms, no such problems at VW, Colin.