Alfa Romeo is planning an estate version of the Giulietta

A few weeks ago, the chief executive of the Fiat and Chrysler groups, Sergio Marchionne, stated that his top priority for improving the situation of Alfa Romeo was to exploit its potential in North America. The fact is that things are not going as well as the top brass at the Italian giant would like in Europe, so some projects will have to give way to those aimed at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Nevertheless, models such as the MiTo and the Giulietta have brought an important rejuvenation to its range, so it would be wise not to forget about them. In fact, two executives from the brand recently told the Dutch magazine Autoweek in an interview that the compact C-segment car has a chance of receiving a new estate body.

According to their statements, Alfa Romeo dealerships could have this new version on their premises by mid-2013. That said, for the moment they only see it as feasible for the European market, since they already have enough on their plate with the adaptations the standard Giulietta will need in order to cross the American borders (for example, they point out that North American consumers would not like the interior it offers, which would have to be changed).

If its bosses approve it, Alfa Romeo would finally see a compact Sportwagon return to its lineup after decades with that empty gap. Its last representative was the “exotic” 33 Giardinetta/SportWagon designed by Pininfarina, but now it would do the brand no harm, given that competition is greater than it was back then. Even extending the case to the whole Fiat Group, the last model to fulfil that role was the Stilo Multi Wagon, which was not a mass-market icon either.

Source | Autoweek