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Alfa Romeo to unveil compact crossover in Geneva, report says

Last year, Alfa Romeo outlined its five-year plan, which calls for reviving both the 8C and GTV as high-performance hybrids and plans for new utility vehicles to bookend the Stelvio. Now, a report from Autoblog.gr (no relation) says the Fiat Chrysler brand will show its long-rumored compact SUV to slot underneath the Stelvio at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The Greek website did not identify its source but says the compact SUV will be built on the Giorgio platform that underpins the Giulia and would contribute to the brand's goals of hitting 400,000 annual sales. The Geneva Motor Show kicks off March 5. FCA is investing $5.7 billion in its under-utilized Italian plants to ramp up production of Jeep, Fiat and Maserati models, plus the new Alfa Romeo compact SUV to be built in Pomigliano, Italy. But those plans, which were reported by Automotive News Europe, had the new Alfa compact ute built on the platform underpinning the Jeep Compass, which was also set to start production in Melfi, Italy. A plug-in hybrid version of the Alfa is also reportedly in the picture, which squares with the brand's plans to expand its offerings of electrified powertrains to six PHEVs. Last we heard, Alfa Romeo was planning to launch its largest-yet SUV as a seven-seater, based on the Giorgio platform, as a mild hybrid.

On Location at the Alfa Romeo Museum with the new Giulia

The most exciting news from the reveal of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia was undoubtedly the 510-hp Quadrifoglio model that will top the lineup. To play up the brand's Italian-ness, as well as the fabulous sound the twin-turbo engine makes, Alfa had opera singer Andrea Bocelli sing the car out onto the stage. The event took place at Alfa Romeo's old headquarters in Arese just outside Milan. It's also the site of the brand's museum, which has been closed to the public for years and was recently expanded and redone. We got a quick preview ahead of the museum's official public reopening on June 30, 2015. Anyone traveling to the Milan area should definitely check it out, even if those who aren't die-hard Alfisti. Before the Alfa event, I got to spend some time at Expo Milano 2015. Expos like it are held every five years now around the world and are the modern-day equivalent to a world's fair. The theme was "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life" with the pavilions from various countries showcasing displays on food production, shortages, and future solutions. When you're done watching our On Location video, stick around for an Alfa promo reel that teases the Giulia's insanely delicious noise.

Alfa Romeo Giulia to get Ferrari-related engine

Alfa Romeo has a long, proud history of using V6 engines in its coupes, sedans, and sports cars over the years, but as the new Giulia sedan approaches, the Italian marque is allegedly turning to Ferrari for its next six-cylinder. This is obviously not the first time a Ferrari-sourced or derived engine has been found under an Alfa's long hood. While 8C Competizione famously used a version of Ferrari's F136 V8 during its short run, the Giulia's new V6 will be offered on a much larger scale, slotting in above an entry level, four-cylinder turbo (likely the next-gen version of the 4C sports car's 1.75-liter engine). According to Autocar, the new V6 will be "specially developed for Alfa Romeo," and will be built at the Termoli engine factory alongside the new turbo four-cylinder. As for the rest of the Giulia, Autocar has been able to shine a light on a number of other details about the new midsizer. It will, thankfully, be rear-wheel drive, and designed to counter the "mostly cold and clinical" and soulless cars of the German competition, Maserati chief Harald Wester told AC. Some of the new sedan's structural elements will even be shared with Maserati's entry level model, the Ghibli. Most notable of all, though, is what the Giulia means for American consumers. After the limited-run 8C and the niche 4C, the new sedan will lead Alfa Romeo's long-awaited, large-scale return, where it will combat the popular BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, not to mention rivals like the Cadillac ATS and Lexus IS. Look for more on the Giulia next week when it's officially revealed in Milan.