The confirmation of the long-awaited Maserati Alfieri electrified supercar is the sort of model that manufacturers usually save for a major motor show, a dynamic online video or a bold, bespoke launch event. You know, the sort of event that involves lots of loud music, dramatic lighting and unhealthy amounts of dry ice.
Instead, the confirmation that the Alfieri will arrive by 2020 – and with a full EV version – came in the middle of a powerpoint slideshow during a presentation for financial analysts.
Alfa Romeo brings back 8C and GTV and adds two more SUVs
That study in contrasts encapsulates the surreal nature of the FCA Group’s Capital Markets Day, held at Alfa Romeo’s Bolocco Proving Ground not far from Milan. It was certainly one of the more unusual, yet fascinating, events I’ve covered as an automotive journalist.
The event was held for the bosses of the group’s various brands and divisions to present the latest five-year plan to investors and financial analysts. The previous version, as an aside, was held in 2014 – so yes, this five-year plan came four years after the last.
The investors and analysts gathered inside a building in the centre of Bolocco to hear from FCA’s management. It all looked very nice, with Alfa Romeo F1 cars and a whole line-up of Jeep products parked outside.
Well, it looked quite nice from the window of the media bus, as we were driven past it to a nearby workshop building, where we spent the day in a temporary press centre watching events from just across the road on a big screen. But don’t feel too sorry for us; they provided us with ample strong Italian coffee, and there were even ice creams available for post-lunch snacking.
Still, it was fascinating viewing. While skewed towards financials – there was lots of talk of revenues, profit margins, market capitalisation and establishing a Finco, whatever one of those is – the presentation was also packed with information on the various FCA brand’s model plans for the next five years.
Maserati to take on 'Porsche and Tesla' with Alfieri, new SUV and four EVs
Unlike at an event focused on new metal, little time was spent revelling in teasing details of the new models announced, such as horsepower or acceleration. Which explains why the confirmation of bold new supercars (hello Alfieri and Alfa Romeo 8C), returning favourites (the revived Fiat 500 Giardiniera), a host of electrified powertrains and – inevitably – lots and lots of SUVs came quite so thick and fast.
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Ha ha.
FIAT. Upmarket!. Never rated the Italians as comedians. I was wrong.
Upmarket?
VW managed it with Skoda, Kia and Hyundai seem to be doing better at it than DS.
It does seem to require designing and making the things properly and having good dealers and servicing.
And this is Fiat, makers of the 'nearly good enough' in every class.
A sad decline.......
of one of motorings pioneers driven into the ground by the stupid business descisions and endless unfullfilled five year plans.
the "FA-RM JEEP" companies.