Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is apparently working on introducing seven new Alfa Romeo models by 2018 to increase sales of the sports car brand fivefold.

New models set to increase sales

According to a report, Alfa Romeo plans to release a convertible Spider by 2016, which will be followed by the sedan and wagon versions of the Giulia and Alfetta models in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The Giulia sedan is said to be a rival of the BMW 3 series, while the Alfetta sedan will compete against the BMW 5 series. The seven models will also include the Italian marque’s latest crossover slated for a 2017 release and a larger SUV due most likely in 2018.

These new models will supposedly ride on a newly developed rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive architecture named Giorgio, which suggests the MiTo and Giulietta front-wheel drive hatchbacks will not get successors.

The report further said that Alfa Romeo wants to increase annual sales to at least 500 000 cars a year compared with around 100000 units sold last year. The same report mentions that the re-launch of the 104-year-old Alfa Romeo is a key part of the group’s plans to return to profit in Europe by 2016.

Official details are said to be announced on May 6 when Fiat is due to introduce a new industrial plan outlining investments and all the models the group will launch over the next three years.