cars news 10: We Hear: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Hatch Could Go Rear-Drive

Although front-drive compact hatchbacks are popular in Europe, the next-generation Alfa Romeo Giulietta could move to the Italian automaker’s new rear-drive platform, according to Auto Express.

Alberto Dillilo, head of FCA passenger vehicle design, told Auto Express that the next Giulietta will be based on a “shortened version of the Giulia’s platform” and that “it’s possible, technically,” for the compact hatchback to be rear-drive. The flexible architecture will also support all-wheel drive, which is available on its Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series rivals.

FCA designed the new platform to be flexible enough to support several models so it only makes sense for the automaker to build as many vehicles as possible on it. The new rear-drive architecture will also help differentiate Alfa Romeo from the mainstream Fiat brand.

Rear-drive would also give the Giulietta more performance potential than the front-drive-based Audi A3 and the next-generation BMW 1 Series (expected to move to the automaker’s UKL modular front-drive architecture used for the Mini and 2 Series Active Tourer). If true, the next Giulietta could compete more directly with the BMW 2 Series or Volkswagen Golf R.

In an earlier report, we speculated that the next-generation Alfa Romeo Giulietta would retain its front-drive architecture. Additionally, Alfa Romeo could add a full-size sedan above the midsize Giulia on the new rear-drive architecture.

We should know more details about the Giulietta sometime after the Giulia goes on sale.

Source: Auto Express