Alfa beyond Competizione

(Credit: Automotive News)

VILLASTELLONE, Italy -- Alfa Romeo is committed to returning to the United States.

While the automaker is targeting late 2009 or early 2010, Alfa has not disclosed plans. It exited the United States in 1995, its reputation shattered by poor quality.

For the short term, a select group of U.S. Maserati dealers will sell the Alfa 8C Competizione beginning this month.

8C Competizione: The rear-drive, carbon-fiber-laced Alfa Romeo coupe has a 450-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 engine combined with a six-speed electronically controlled manual gearbox. Alfa will produce 500 of these sports cars worldwide; the U.S. allocation of 84 cars is sold out.

8C Spider: The convertible version of the 8C Competizione coupe debuted at this year's Geneva auto show. U.S. sales begin in 2010.

Large rwd car: For years, Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has been looking for an automaker that would provide Alfa (and Maserati) a new rwd platform for a new flagship sedan and a luxury coupe. Alfa is reportedly talking with Tata Motors about using a Jaguar platform. If a deal is reached, both vehicles might be sold in the United States, but no sooner than 2011-12.

C X-over: Alfa is working on a BMW X3 rival. The crossover will first appear in Europe in 2010 and likely a year or so later in the United States.

(Source: Automotive News)