Alfa Romeo plans to introduce new high-performance engines, including a range-topping V-6, in a bid to reconnect the brand to its sporty heritage. But we ask, where are the high performance cars/ or any new cars for that matter as it has been years since we saw a new product offering from Alfa. Yes the 4C is great and that is all they have for the past few years.
The first of the engines, two petrol units and a diesel will debut in Alfa’s new midsize sedan that will be unveiled in June 2016. The V-6 gasoline engine will have an output of up to 480hp. The 2.9-liter direct injection unit with twin turbochargers has been re-engineered from the 3.0-liter unit that Ferrari builds for the Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans.
The core petrol engine will be a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter direct injection turbocharged unit equipped with MultiAir variable valve timing technology. Called Global Medium Engine, it will be available in outputs from 180hp to 330hp and will be mated with manual and automatic transmissions with rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive applications. The midsize sedan will also offer a new 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with output from 135hp to 210hp.
Alfa is also working with Fiat Chrysler’s subsidiary, VM Motori, on a new version of the 3.0-liter V-6 diesel unit currently offered on some Jeep and Maserati models. The top Alfa version will have its output increased to 340hp from 275hp. A 275hp unit will also be offered. There are no plans to offer the V-6 diesel in the midsize sedan. It will be offered only in awd applications on a new Alfa large sedan and a new midsize SUV.
