Alfa Romeo’s new premium mid-sized combatant, the Giulia, is going to receive a station wagon bodystyle to match its perennial rivals, according to an Automotive News report.
This will give the Giulia a more defensive edge against the likes of the the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo S60, all of which are available in wagon form.
Despite only being available as a sedan, the Giulia is the fifth best-selling mid-sized car in mainland Europe. This is a solid effort considering it’s only been on sale since March. It puts it ahead of the Jaguar XE, Volvo S60, Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50, but behind the Teutonic triumvirate of C-Class, 3 Series and A4, and new Jaguar XE, in that order.
According to the report the wagon is due late next year. With wagons accounting for 42 per cent of total segment volume, Alfa Romeo wants to satisfy the European appetite for wagons.
The additional bodystyle will help fulfil Sergio Marchionne’s ambitions for 75,000-100,00 global sales.
The Giorgio RWD architecture which will also underpin the upcoming Stelvio SUV has exceeded the FCA boss’s expectations. Marchionne said:
“I think its utilisation across a wide range of applications within the group is probably the most beneficial thing we have done from a technical development in a long time.”
In addition, the platform has potential for use across other FCA brands’ rear- and all-wheel drive cars, possibly even extending as far as Jeep.
There are rumours the next-generation Dodge Charger and Challenger could migrate to the Giorgio platform which could come as soon as 2018, resulting in a more lightweight and finessed muscle car.
Note: Image rendered speculation only, courtesy of X-Tomi Design
