Alfa Romeo's compact SUV to be based on the Jeep Compass

The downsized Alfa SUV would almost certainly take its design cues from the Stelvio, but what lies beneath will be very different, according to the latest report.

The downsized Alfa SUV would almost certainly take its design cues from the Stelvio, but what lies beneath will be very different, according to the latest report.

Published Dec 4, 2018

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Turin, Italy - As previously reported, Alfa Romeo is planning another plunge into the SUV pool with a smaller vehicle positioned below the Stelvio.

It has now emerged, however, that the compact crossover is going to be based on the Jeep Compass, with production taking place at Fiat-Chrysler Pomigliano plant, according to

.  

This forms part of FCA’s plan of moving production of lower-profit Fiat cars out of Italy and higher-margin models in.

But will the compact crossover still drive like an Alfa?

The Stelvio proved a pleasant surprise with its well-honed chassis and steering making it one of the better-driving crossovers out there, but then it is based on the Giulia’s rear-wheel-drive architecture.

Although it remains to be seen just how closely the as-yet-unnamed compact would be based on the Compass, it’s certainly not going to match its bigger brother for fleet-footedness unless Alfa’s white coats pull some miracle engineering out the bag.

And what about the rest of the small Alfa line-up?

According to the legendary brand’s 2018 to 2022 product plan that was revealed in June this year, the ill-fated Mito is falling away, while the Giulietta will get a long-overdue mid-life facelift.

The Stelvio and Giulia will also get a nip and tuck between now and 2022.

There is more exciting news on the horizon though, as Alfa Romeo plans to revive the GTV (as a Giulia-based two-door) and launch a new version of the 8C.

IOL Motoring

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