Recent Updates

 

10/19/2023 12:00 PM

UK firm launches retrofit range-extender for ageing diesel vans

 

10/19/2023 12:00 PM

Striking new Nissan concept gives clues to electric Juke

 

10/19/2023 12:00 PM

New 2024 Peugeot 208 priced from £20,400 in the UK

 

10/19/2023 12:00 PM

Winter tyres: should I buy them?

 

10/19/2023 12:00 PM

Peugeot 408

 

10/19/2023 12:00 AM

Stellantis aims to overtake Ford as van and pick-up leader by 2027

 

10/19/2023 12:00 AM

Is the 1877bhp Rimac Nevera still fun to drive on public roads?

 

10/19/2023 12:00 AM

Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray

 

10/18/2023 12:00 PM

My Week In Cars: New Steve Cropley/Matt Prior podcast (ep. 58)

 

10/18/2023 12:00 PM

Power List 100 2023 – Top 10

<<    214   215   216   217   218   >>

EV, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Solar & more 21st century mobility!

< Prev    of 6105   Next >
Alfa Romeo design boss hints at luxury electric MPV
Monday, Oct 16, 2023 12:00 PM
Alfa Romeo MPV
MPVs are becoming hot property again, due mainly to their popularity in China
Italian brand set to link to its heritage by reviving the Autotutto/Romeo van amid a spate of luxury MPVs

Alfa Romeo design design boss Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos has suggested his firm could make a luxury MPV.

The remark came in a discussion with Autocar that started off about the new 33 Stradale supercar but detoured via Alfa’s once popular commercial van, the Autotutto/Romeo. 

“It was beautiful,” he said, before adding: “By the way, you wouldn’t be surprised if this returned one day.” It might be just a tease, but it’s also not such a crazy idea. 

MPVs are becoming hot property again, due mainly to their popularity in China, where the space they offer is seen to be as much of a luxury feature as multiple screens or high-end stereos. 

Volvo is preparing its first MPV (the EM90), Volkswagen is doing well with the ID Buzz, Mercedes has the V-Class, Hyundai has the ultra-stylish Staria and Lexus is bringing its opulent new LM to Europe. 

Many Chinese brands, including those owned by giants BYD, Geely and SAIC, have their own takes on the format. Alfa Romeo has been there before: from 1954 to 1983, it sold a passenger version of its van by the name of Promiscuo. 

It was on the market for so long that it remains Alfa’s bestselling vehicle, as Autocar was reminded (without prompting) by CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato. 

Clearly, Alfa has vans on the mind… If it were to return to the sector, Alfa surely wouldn’t simply rebadge the Vauxhall Vivaro. More likely it would base its MPV on Stellantis’s STLA Large platform and add all the luxury trimmings, and it would probably also go round corners with a touch more verve than the LM. 

As Alfa looks to broaden its base beyond Europe, a China-focused MPV might be just the entry ticket, along with the planned large SUV from 2027.

< Prev    of 6105   Next >
Leave a Comment
* Name
* Email (will not be published)
*
Click on me to change image  * Enter verification code (Click on the CAPTCHA to refresh the image!)
* - Reqiured fields