Better late than never: Alfa Romeo developing not one but two SUVs

By Ronan Glon August 3, 2014

Fiat’s troubled Alfa Romeo division is reportedly developing two SUVs in a bid to take on BMW and Audi.

Expected to arrive in 2016, the company’s first-ever regular-production SUV will be roughly the same size as the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, two of the segment’s hotter sellers. It will wear a sporty front end inspired by the upcoming rear-wheel drive Giulia sedan and a sleek overall silhouette that will put a big emphasis on form rather than on function.

In the United States, buyers will be able to choose between four- and six-cylinder gasoline-burning engines and either front- or all-wheel drive. Sources close to the Milan-based automaker indicate a range-topping model powered by a 500-horsepower turbocharged V6 mill will almost certainly round out the lineup.

Alfa’s second SUV will be roughly the same size as the upcoming 2015 Volvo XC90. Set to be positioned near the top of the company’s model hierarchy, the SUV will offer space for up to seven passengers and their gear in a spacious, well-lit cockpit packed with the latest high-tech equipment. The yet-unnamed SUV is still at the embryonic stage of development and it is not expected to arrive until 2017 at the earliest.

Both upcoming Alfa SUVs will play a key part in helping the storied automaker earn a slice of the lucrative North American market.

The idea of an Alfa Romeo-badged off-roader is not new. The company briefly built a Jeep-like vehicle called Matta in the early 1950s, and it displayed a rugged-looking concept dubbed Kamal (pictured) at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. The Kamal was billed as a close-to-production concept but its development was put on hiatus when the company fell in dire financial straits.

Editors' Recommendations

Rivian R2 vs R3: Will one be ‘better’ than the other?

Topics

Photo Galleries

Contributor

Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.