The 169 is a replacement to the aging 166. It is expected to feature a rear-wheel-drive platform derived from Maserati. All this in 2009, when it will hit the market. The Alfa 169 might have the same engine as the 8C Competizione. New Alfa Romeo 169 will be powered by new V6 fuel and diesel engines, which still are going to be developed, and by a new V8 unit, in the top version, which comes from 8C Competizione, combined with authomatic transmission.
Originally planned to be launched in late 2009 to coincide with Alfa Romeo's North American relaunch, it has been continuously pushed back due to a combination of financial problems, change in leadership at Alfa Romeo and most recently problems with finding a suitable platform. At the launch of the Alfa Romeo MiTo on June 19th 2008, Alfa's CEO Luca De Meo revealed that while the Alfa Romeo 169 was definitely going to be made, development is to be pushed back a year while a suitable platform is sourced. The launch date is now predicted to be mid 2011.
