It was just four months ago that we learned Alfa Romeo->ke1386 planned to bring the Giulia sedan and another unknkown model to the U.S. by 2017. The Giulia->ke3472 is expected to be released in the first few months of 2016, and now Alfa Romeo has confirmed that it is finished preparing its second model for production. According to Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat->ke30 Chrysler->ke21 Automobiles, production of the newest model will begin somewhere around mid-2016.

Alfa Romeo and FCA have kept a tight lid on specifics of the upcoming model and have yet to confirm exactly what it is. Sources, on the other hand, have claimed it will be an SUV->ke145 based on the Giulia sedan->ke142 and that it is currently codenamed Project 949. As far as we know, if it is indeed an SUV, it should compete directly with the 2017 Audi Q5 and the 2017 BMW X3. Project 949 will launch in Europe in late 2016 under its official name, while its release in the U.S. is planned for a few months later in 2017. Between developing the Giorgio RWD platform, associated powertrains and production startup costs, Alfa has spent 2 billion (about $2.2 billion USD) of the 5 billion euros allotted by FCA for its revival so far.

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Why it matters

A new Alfa model is long overdue. Here in the U.S. sales have been limited to a couple variations of the 4C,->ke3773 while other markets have also had the subcompact->ke4670 Mito.->ke3111 The Giulia is beautiful, so I think it is safe to assume the new model will be just as pretty. While we have yet to receive confirmation of what this new model will be, it only makes sense that it would be a crossover->ke288 or SUV. The question is, how well will the Giulia and the new model sell, considering Alfa’s small presence in the automotive market? If the models fail, the brand name may fail with them.

2016 Alfa Romeo SUV

Read our speculative review here.