Should ALFA Release A PREMIUM Wrangler, Badass V8 Version To Go Head-to-Head With Mercedes G?

Of all the automotive marques out there, it seems that Alfa Romeo is gaining a bit of steam here. These days I am seeing a ton of Giulias on the road and even a few Stelvios here and there.

But, if I am honest, I don't see these cars keeping momentum. After 24 months of being on the market, I wager they're going to fall out of fashion. What's Alfa to do?

The Agents have an idea.

Imagine if Alfa were to go after the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and prepare for the market a premium, Wrangler-based truck that had the grit people are after?

It would include things like the power from the Giulia Quadrifoglio, Rolls-Royce-quality leather, a panoramic glass roof with the safari glass in the rear a la the Land Rover Defender, Panerai gauges and a sport exhaust system. There could be some "Italian quirks" on the inside to give it that extra flair.

Not only would it go after the Mercedes G, but given the return of the Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender, it would ride that wave as one of the ultimate off-roaders.

What say YOU, Spies? Does this sound appealing to you? Could Alfa sell a 1,000 or 2,000 units?

TheSteve - 4/30/2018 12:03:10 AM

+4 Boost

In North America, Jeep has serious cred, while Alfa is almost unheard of. If Jeep wants to go premium, let them leverage the brand that already has a strong following.

Personally, I would not recommend Jeep price themselves out of the market and possibly create the wrong product for Jeep lovers.

dumpsty - 5/2/2018 1:55:12 PM

+1 Boost

They're just now asking themselves this? How long has the G-wagen been around?

But yeah...see TheSteve's comments above. Realistic market pricing vs actual buyers will be a huge concern.

wilfred - 4/30/2018 12:12:32 AM

+1 Boost

No, alfa has no business in the off-road market. The brand nor its history as far as I know...

That said, I think Jeep should offer a V8 Wrangler and can charge a nice premium just because it’s a Jeep.

And Mercedes should offer a gas V6 or diesel 4 cylinder G wagon for the US market. I know it’s available in Europe, cloth seats and safari roof rack with ladder in the back.

Foncool - 4/30/2018 7:34:27 AM

+1 Boost

just An FYI Alfa does have history of building off road vehicles look up the 1900M “Matta”. Alfa and Fiat were the two largest automakers in Italy, both are over 100 years old. Logic will tell you that both probably built off road vehicles for the Italian military.

That’s the problem with all the armchair CEOs, none bother to do their research before commenting, take the author of this article’s comment about the V8 from the Alfa Quadrifoglio, the Quadrifoglio has a V6, it’s the Maserati that has the V8.

talie64 - 4/30/2018 3:20:53 AM

+1 Boost

After all the issues I have had with a Giulietta, I wouldn't touch another Alfa with a barge pole, legendary reliability still an issue and unbelievable dreadful service from Alfa.

cidflekken - 4/30/2018 3:21:06 AM

+2 Boost

Not sure why Jeep would want to give a brand like Alfa Romeo a platform to build a six-figure off-roader when they can leverage their off-road legacy and offer it themselves. A six-figure Jeep wouldn't be unheard of today now that the Trackhawk exists (and, per the Jeep dealership local to me, crazy popular). So, much like they created a six-figure trim for the GC, why not create a six-figure trim for the Wrangler? There are certainly tons of ways to up the ante with a Wrangler. My friend bought a 2009 Wrangler and has, so far, put $320K (yes, you read that right) worth of upgrades to it. Granted, these were pure performance mods, and not luxury mods, but Jeep could do both, but not to a tune of $320K, of course.

Agent00R - 4/30/2018 8:42:28 PM

0 Boost

Yup, I would agree.

Jeep has the brand and room to create an upmarket Wrangler as people are spending hideous dollars on Wranglers to get them how they want.

$320k though?! Wow.

MDarringer - 4/30/2018 10:06:08 PM

-1 Boost

Anecdotal "data" that is not shown in actual sales.

MDarringer - 4/30/2018 8:07:26 AM

+1 Boost

This: "These days I am seeing a ton of Giulias on the road and even a few Stelvios here and there" is true only if you're standing next to an Alfa Romeo dealer and the asphalt they are sitting on is what you call the road. Sales of the Giulia have been dismal and the Stelvio isn't exactly causing the Germans to take notice.

A $100K offroader? Making it a Jeep has much more chance of success than making it an Alfa Romeo.

Agent00R - 4/30/2018 8:43:11 PM

0 Boost

In the New York tri-state, there's a lot of Giulia sightings.

A handful of Stelvios so far...

Vette71 - 4/30/2018 9:17:00 AM

+1 Boost

Jeep shouldn't tarnish it's reputation by associating with Alfa. Like Mercedes it can expand up or down market globally to cover more on its own.

I do a lot of driving in and around Boston and New England. Areas where there are a lot of premium vehicles. Haven't seen a single Alfa on the road.

Foncool - 4/30/2018 6:06:32 PM

-1 Boost

Sorry the market says otherwise. I suspect Jeep would struggle once it gets over 100k range. Mercedes tried to move upscale with the maybach, it was a disaster. VW tried with the phaeton a truly good car, but 80k for VW wasn’t happening. Every car company has their ceiling on what people will pay for their cars, except Ferrari, even Porsche hits a ceiling far below what Ferrari commands.

Agent001 - 4/30/2018 12:36:29 PM

0 Boost

I think it would be an interesting product if done right. They should at least float a concept to gauge reaction...

001

TomM - 4/30/2018 2:52:19 PM

+1 Boost

I have a question - 001 - where do you see FCA getting it right? EVEN their Jeeps - although hugely successful - have been substandard in execution. (Don't talk Ferrari)

The Alfas are based on an ancient Platform - and cannot overcome their reputation for lack of reliability. Now - do a Cadillac and put that name on a Chevy - OOPS - take a Jeep and put the Alfa name on it - who is going to be fooled - would YOU be?

Foncool - 4/30/2018 3:19:36 PM

0 Boost

Again another case repeating bad/wrong information. The Alfa Giulia and Stelvio are built on the all new Giorgio platform, right now considered among the best in the industry. In addition to all future Alfas, This platform will serve as the basis for the next generation Maseratis (GranTurismo, Ghibli, Quattroporte, Alfieri) all which will be out by 2020. Additionally there will be a smaller SUV from Maserati, although I personally think they need to build a larger one.

The Giorgio platform will also probably be used for the next 300 and other Chrysler products.

MDarringer - 4/30/2018 10:04:57 PM

-2 Boost

@Foncool, the Giorgio is directly descended from the Chrysler LX and that is widely documented. Basically Giorgio is a chopped and channelled LX so the widened and lengthened Giorgio will essentially be an LX. There are no new Chrysler or Dodge products coming on Giorgio. Prototypes????

valhallakey - 5/1/2018 12:38:15 AM

+3 Boost

Foncool is correct about the Giulia/Stelvio platform. The Maserati is based on an LX platform but NOT the Giulia/Stelvio. "It cost a fortune to develop the Giorgio platform that underpins the new Alfa models — Marchionne claims FCA spent $2.7 billion on the relaunch. To recoup some of those expenses, the brand is going to share its fancy new bones with Maserati, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles." I think the fact that they plan on using this platform across other FCA brands is getting confused between the LX platform being shared with Maserati.

Foncool - 5/1/2018 7:36:18 AM

+1 Boost

80% of the platform currently used by Maserati is new, does that make it the same as an LX? The fact of the matter is when the LX platform was introduced it was a good platform that used design elements derived from the Mercedes W220 S Klasse. The W220 platform evolved into the W221 then the W222, just like the base LX evolved in the current Maserati lineup.

Engines and platforms are the 2 most expensive development items for any automotive manufacturer, evolutionary development is done by every manufacturer especially low volume ones. Every Lamborghini V12 from the 350GT through the Murcielago (2010) is based on the original Bizzarrini design for the 350GTV of 1963, does that make them all the same?

Agent001 - 5/1/2018 5:15:46 PM

+2 Boost

TomM,

It wouldn't be to fool anyone. It would be an iconic 4wd platform with the Alfa take on it. Like Lexus taking a Toyota Land Cruiser and making an LX.

001

dumpsty - 5/2/2018 2:00:51 PM

+1 Boost

The Wrangler Unlimited 4-door has the right exterior proportions to match-up to the G-class. However, the large Jeep will need to lose all the exterior plastic bits.

But if Jeep gives the US a "dud" concept for the Wagoneer & Grand Wagoneer, they can just forget about trying to compete with the G.