Alfa Romeo’s future master plan

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo’s thrilling new 4C sports car "marks a line in the sand" for the Italian firm, according to head of Alfa Romeo Europe, Louis-Carl Vignon.

Speaking to MSN Cars at the launch of the 4C, the Alfa exec confirmed the marque’s future products will be inspired by its new halo model, meaning we’ll see more high-tech, efficient and performance-focused Alfa Romeo’s in the near future.

A new off-roader will make up the heart of the Alfa Romeo range

Vignon also outlined that further variants of the 4C are possible, potentially including an open-top spider version, as well as a higher-powered, more hardcore model.

According to head of engineering for Alfa Romeo Europe, Mauro Pierallini, "the 4C’s 1.75-litre turbo engine has the potential to make 300hp quite easily," so watch this space.

A new, open-top sports car developed in conjunction with Mazda and going on sale in the UK during 2015 will sit below the 4C in the range. The car – thought to be called the ‘Spider’ – will use engines "bespoke to Alfa", according to Vignon.

This means power will more than likely come from the 4C’s 1.75-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, detuned to produce around 200hp. Expect the unit to be mated to Alfa’s new six-speed TCT twin-clutch transmission, too.

Mazda

The car will draw design inspiration from the 4C, says Vignon:

Alfa needs a credible rival to the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series

"It will have Alfa’s traditional ‘scudetto’ shield grille and a very squat, taut stance, but will have it’s own distinct identity compared to the 4C. It will be more luxurious, too."

"The 4C is a line in the sand and all Alfa Romeo’s in the future will embody the brand’s values: lightweight and efficient, lots of technology, high performance and Italian style."

The firm will focus on a new SUV (we haven't seen an Alfa off-roader since the 2003 Kamal concept, pictured), which "will make up the heart of the Alfa Romeo range," according to Vignon. However, the Frenchman believes the car will have to play to the marque’s strengths.

Alfa Romeo

"Nobody expects an Alfa to cross the desert or for a Jeep to make a lap time at the Nurburgring – most SUV buyers don’t prioritise lightness and efficiency, they want a stylish car.

"We have to focus on design and sportiness; pushing the cabin backwards for a sleek look and a nice stylish interior."

Vignon also outlined that Alfa "needs" a successor to the 159 and a credible rival to the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. Sitting above this in the range, the Frenchman highlighted that "it would be logical to assume" a larger Alfa Romeo to rival the BMW 5 Series could be based on the Maserati Ghibli, likely using that car’s range of turbocharged V6 petrol and diesel engines, too.

The Italian manufacturer’s European boss did confirm that Alfa Romeo has ruled out a luxury limousine based on sister company Maserati’s Quattroporte as "it does not fit with Alfa’s brand values."

As part of the firm’s plan to build 300,000 cars per year by 2017 (it produced just over 100,000 units in 2012) we’ll see a range of revitalised cars, offering strong efficiency, style and performance through lessons learnt from the 4C. We can’t wait.

By Sean Carson, contributor, MSN Cars