1986 Alpha Romeo Graduate on 2040-cars

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FCA is setting a five-year strategy: Here's how the last one played out

We're slightly more than four years removed from Sergio Marchionne last five-year plan for FCA, a tell-all where the Italian-American automaker divulged its plans for the 2014 through 2018 model years. It was a grand affair, where Sergio told FCA investors that all was right in Auburn Hills, Alfa Romeo and Maserati were making comebacks, and the fifth-gen Dodge Viper received a mid-cycle refresh. You can read every last one of those past predictions right here. We're on our way to Europe to see Sergio's sequel, coming out Friday straight from FCA's Italian headquarters. (Bloomberg reports a plan to expand Jeep and Ram globally, combine Alfa Romeo and Maserati into a single division for an eventual spinoff, and downsizing Fiat and Chrysler. Also, EVs.) But before we arrive in Italy and find out exactly what Marchionne has planned for 2019 through 2023 as his last act as CEO, let's take a minute to tally up the results of his last term based on the same scoresheet we used in 2014. Now, we're only five months into 2018, so much of this — including vehicles like the Ram HD and Jeep Grand Wagoneer — could still debut this year. For those, we'll mark things TBD. We're not going to draw any conclusions or make any objectionable remarks. We're simply going to let the stats speak for themselves.

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.

Standard Alfa Romeo Giulia still looks beautiful in Geneva

No matter how many times we see the Alfa Romeo Giulia, it continues to be a beautiful sports sedan. The top-spec Quadrifoglio is a fantastic looking four-door, but even the base model and Super trim on display in Geneva retain the model's attractive looks. The standard versions lose the big vents and more aggressive look from the Quadrifoglio, but their simplified shape is still gorgeous. Alfa packs the cars with tech, too. At least in Europe, base models get standard forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a 6.5-inch infotainment system. The Super adds leather and 17-inch wheels, and an optional Sport Pack includes Xenon headlights a sport steering wheel, and aluminum trim on the dashboard, center console, and door panels. Finally, the Quadrifoglio aims for performance with carbon fiber parts on the roof, hood, and front splitter, and the options include carbon-ceramic brake discs, and carbon fiber seats. In Europe, customers will have the option of a 2.2-liter diesel with 150 or 180 horsepower, a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 200 hp, and the fire-breathing 510-hp 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, which is exclusive to the Quadrifoglio. We don't get the oil-burner in this country, but Alfa says the North American version of the 2.0-liter has 276 hp. The Quadrifoglio makes 505 hp here. According to Alfa's latest product plan, the Giulia should arrive at dealers in the US sometime in 2016, possibly late in the second quarter. Prices for the full range still aren't official, but the Quadrifoglio would reportedly sell for around $70,000. Related Video: New Alfa Romeo Giulia • The new Alfa Romeo Giulia , making its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show, will be available in three trim levels (Giulia, Super and Quadrifoglio) and six new engine versions:150 and 180 HP 2.2-litre diesel with 6 speed manual or 8 speed automatic transmission, the 200 HP 2.0-litre petrol engine with 8 speed transmission and 510 HP 2.9-litre V6 BiTurbo petrol engine with 6 speed transmission. • From April 15th it will be possible to order the new Giulia progressively in all markets throughout the EMEA area. • The supreme expression of the meccanica delle emozioni (mechanics of emotion), the new Giulia offers distinctive Italian style and optimal weight distribution across the two axles, the new sophisticated Alfa™Link suspension system (Alfa Romeo patent) and the most direct steering in the market segment.