Alfa Romeo may well revive the Giulia name for the successor to the 159, according to rumours circulating in the press. While there have been conflicting reports regarding which chassis the car will use, sources speculate Alfa is developing a suitable rear wheel drive chassis with the help of the sister company Maserati, however it is much more likely that the new Alfa Giulia will be based on a modified version of the Lancia Delta / Fiat Bravo platform. Like the 159, the new Giulia may well be offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.
Rumours about Alfa sticking with only front-wheel-drive layouts seem largely unfounded though. In October, Renzo Barbirato, Alfa Romeo’s marketing manager, stated the entry-level MiTo and the 149 will be the only Alfa Romeo models that will not make the switch to rear-wheel drive in the coming years.