The new Alfa Romeo 166 replacement is apparently being developed, that could utilise the LX rear-wheel drive platform of the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger. The rumour and the accompanying rendering of the 166 come from Auto, Motor und Sport, who go on to say that many of the components of the 166 replacement would be borrowed from the Charger. It’s apparently not to be considered a simple rebadging though, which is what the new Lancia Thesis, completely derived from the 300C, will be instead.

The new Alfa 166 would be a four-door coupé model, and hence we could see the first Alfa sedan-coupé emerge. It would be considered the first real Italian competitor to the German sedan models on the market, and would look to knock a model like the Jaguar XF off its perch. Additionally, and perhaps most interestingly, the 166 replacement could be equipped with the new 3.0-litre V8 TB Multiair engine with more than 400 hp. It’s destined for the US market, but if Alfa is to compete with the German models, it will need something powerful under the bonnet to do so. The car could take on the historic ‘Alfetta’ badge but we’ll hold off on other speculations at the moment.

Source | Auto Motor und Sport via Autoblog.it

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Reports that Alfa Romeo is “secretly” working on producing its first Alfa V8 engine in 30 years, have since been denied by the company. Autocar had originally said that a new V8 engine would appear on the Alfa 166 substitute, itself to be based on the Chrysler 300C.

It was supposed to have been a mid-capacity engine of about three litres, developing both naturally aspirated and twin-turbo versions. The guys at Autoblog have, however, cited a source that denies Alfa is working on a V8.

An Alfa spokesperson has reportedly said: “No front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive Alfa Romeo will use an engine larger than a V6.” This however, doesn’t specify rear-wheel drive Alfas, which Autocar had said the new 166 would be since using the Chrysler 300C as a platform. Stay tuned for further developments.

Source | Autocar and Autoblog

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After the Fiat Multipla and the Lancia Lybra, an Alfa Romeo project has also been given the go-ahead for production in China. Alfa in China will make its 166, a difficult thing for Alfa fans to digest even though the 166 hasn’t had shades of brilliance throughout its long career.

The car will be manufactured by Guangzhou Auto, a Fiat and Nanjing partner in Perla production (derived from the world car Palio and Siena ed Albea project). Apparently plans could be underway for an Alfa 166 restyling to make it more appetising for the Chinese market. Here’s hoping the initiative will give a new boost to the Italian company, still in agony.

Source | Italiaspeed.com (thanks to A1 for the tip)

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