Alfa Romeo unveiled the Kamal Concept at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show and now they have finally decided to put it into production. The new model, called CXover will be launched sometime in 2009 and will be the first SUV-grade vehicle, a premium model that will compete with the BMW X3 and upcoming Audi Q5.

2009 Alfa Romeo CXover

Specifications
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  • Model: 2009 Alfa Romeo CXover
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The Alfa Romeo CXover is a mix of style and design that represents a distinctive crossover of cultures. The model is a fusion of different vehicle types. It combines the off-road performance of an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) with the driving satisfaction and handling characteristics of a compact Alfa Romeo.

At the same time, it offers a versatile, functional passenger compartment typical of a Multi Purpose Vehicle due above all to clever use of space and a wide range of seat configurations. The car would be just as at home on the intricate streets of a European city as it would on a desert track of frontier landscape.

The 2009 CXover will be made in both three- and five-doors versions and is supposed to be based on the same Premium platform, which is now being used by models 159 and Brera vehicles.

The main design elements will be a long bonnet; a small roof positioned towards the rear; wrapround glazing, wheels flush with the body, the high waistline, a feeling of balanced masses.

Based on the Kamal Concept, the CXover will be a five (or three) door model with design elements and the beauty of a Coupe, but with the power and the aggressiveness of a SUV.

Little under five meters, CXover will inherit the aggressive nature of the Kamal Concept. It will be powered by a 3.2 V6 engine with an output of 250 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. A diesel engine will also be available. The 2009 CXover will have a top speed of around 140 mph and will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 7 seconds.

The 2009 Alfa Romeo CXover will be priced between 28 and 45.000 euro (around $38.000 to $60.000).

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History



2003 Alfa Romeo Kamal Concept

In Sanskrit 'Kamal' indicates the colour red. In Arabic, the same term stands for 'perfection' or the 'synthesis of opposites'. Different languages, and different meanings which balance and mutually complement each other in the same word. An evocative force to describe this concept, presented by Alfa Romeo at the 2003 Geneva International Motor Show.

It is called Kamal, and it marks an authentic conceptual and stylistic leap forward in the international car scene. New horizons and brand new segments are opening up, and Alfa wants to play an important part. At this point it is easy to imagine the enormous effort that the Alfa Romeo Business Unit has poured into one ambitious goal it set itself: to present the concept of 'elegant sportiness', which has always been a distinctive feature of the Brand, in a completely new form, that is unique in its way.

Kamal was designed at the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre. It concentrates two types of concept in its styling: belonging to the Alfa range and, more unusual for this class of car, a resemblance to an on-road rather than an off-road vehicle.

Kamal is 435 centimetre long, 186 cm wide and 162 cm high. It has four doors that have a particular opening system, with the rear doors being side-hinged, activated by an internal mechanism.

The Kamal is powered by a 3.2 V6 24V delivering 250 bhp at 6200 rpm, with peak torque of 300 Nm (30.6 kgm) at 4800 rpm. The gearbox is the Selespeed unit with an operating logic derived from Formula 1, which makes for faster gear changes at low and high speeds.

The prototype has a lower centre of gravity than a conventional SUV, increasing the car's stability, and it is also lower; this improves the Cd and thus performance (the estimate top speed exceeds 200 km/h).

2004 Alfa Romeo 156 Crosswagon

This new stylistic approach is very apparent in the Station Wagon version. The model, designed by the Arese Style Centre, features an unmistakable Alfa Romeo shape. But the trait that really typifies the Crosswagon is crossover appeal since it combines the off-road performance of an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) with the driving satisfaction and handling of a compact Alfa Romeo while offering a versatile, functional Station Wagon passenger compartment.

The Alfa Crosswagon is immediately recognisable for its unmistakable Alfa shape made up of exactly the right mix of surfaces, style, poise and sportiness. The new vehicle also has its own specific identity and is highly versatile due to its higher ground clearance and improved approach and exit angles. Despite its strong personality, it never strays beyond the boundaries of sporting good taste imposed by Alfa Romeo stylistic canons.

The Crosswagon combines the great driving comfort offered by its suspension with all the exuberant character of an Alfa sports model. This explains why the new model is equipped with the powerful 1.9 JTD 16v Multijet developing 110 kW (150 bhp) plus a 6 speed manual gearbox with sports ratios. The unit is a 4 cylinder in line engine with a bore of 82 millimetres and a stroke of 90.4 mm, capable of delivering a power output of 110 kW at 4000 rpm and a torque of 305 Nm (31 kgm) at 2000 rpm. The new turbodiesel has undergone several engineering changes to increase performance and engine torque at low speeds and to reduce noise and vibration levels. For example, the Common Rail system used on the 1.9 JTD 16v Multijet includes two new strategies for automatically calibrating and balancing the diesel injected to lower noise and reduce vibration.

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Competitors



BMW X3

Whether on country lanes, in city traffic or on gravel tracks – wherever it goes, the new BMW X3 is driving along the road to success. With powerful new engines, a fresh design and high-quality interior features, the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) from BMW – especially well known for its marked agility and driving dynamics – is continuing its trail of success. The new BMW X3 has all the features to further improve its exceptional position as the only premium offer in the segment.

The sportiest diesel worldwide is available as the top-of-the-range engine for the new BMW X3. The newly developed 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder unit of the BMW X3 3.0sd with its Variable Twin Turbo (VTT) technology realises 210 kW/286 HP and reaches a maximum torque of 580 Newton metres. The new generation of in-line six-cylinder petrol engines with 3.0-litre and 2.5-litre capacity is also deployed in the new BMW X3.

The VALVETRONIC and Bi-VANOS drive units fitted with a magnesium-aluminium composite crankcase achieve 200 kW/272 HP or 160 kW/218 HP, respectively. The Integrated Chassis Management (ICM) with optimised computer structure ensures an even more effective and rapid interaction of the intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive from BMW with the driving dynamic control DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and the engine control system in all variants of the engine.

The new BMW X3 is the uncompromising further development of a vehicle concept that has caused a sensation on the international automobile markets. As an exceptionally agile sports activity vehicle, it combines dynamic handling characteristics on the road with the advantages in traction guaranteed by the intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive from BMW, even during detours on rugged terrain. The new BMW X3 is still the only premium vehicle of its class – more than ever created for active and demanding car motorists who appreciate superior drive technology, versatility, driving dynamics and highest quality workmanship.

Audi Q5

Audi is working on a new compact SUV to take a place below the Q7 in the company’s model range. The Q5 will be based on the same platform as the next-generation Audi A4 and will come to compete with the BMW X3.

The Q5 will come with Audi’s renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system and technically it is derived the Volkswagen Touareg. The vehicles will come with Audi’s new TSI petrol engines, which use a supercharger and turbocharger. Naturally there will be a range of turbodiesel powertrains too.

For the European market it will be offered with a choice of direct-injection 2.0-liter Inline-4 and 3.2-liter V6 gas and turbo-diesel engines. A high-performance 4.2-liter V8 variant also is expected. There are even plans for a sports version which may get the famous S badging and the 261 hp 2-litre TFSI from the new S3. Diesel power will be the main selling force in Europe market with the 2.0 TDI and 3.0-litre V6 TDI both being offered. For the Us market the V8 power plants which are essential, so the engines will be mounted lengthwise, not transversely. The Q5 will also feature a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearbox.

The top speed will be electronically mimited to 155 mph and the 0 to 60 mph sprint will be made in 7 seconds.