(autoinsidernews) - Alfa Romeo is rumored to be working on a high-end rear-wheel drive luxury sedan based on the next-generation Maserati Quattroporte, according to the latest edition of the U.K.'s Autocar magazine. The new sedan would take its place as the replacement for the 167 replacement. Possibly called the 169, the new sedan will be part of Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S.
The new Alfa executive sedan will be the first rear-wheel drive Alfa in nearly two decades when it goes on sale in 2009. The replacement for the 167 was originally planned to use the same platform as the front-wheel drive 159 sedan, but Alfa axed this plan because designers couldn't make the car large enough, reports Trend.
The new Alfa sedan is expected to be powered by either V6 or V8 engines, with the V8 shared with the 8C Competizione sportscar. The sedan will likely resemble the current Quattroporte, but feature revised front, and, likely, rear fascias. Expect it to be built at the Maserati plant in Modena.
