Of interest to enthusiasts of the Fiat Auto brands is the news that 20 new models - of which 5 are additional to previous plans - as well as 23 facelifts, will be introduced during the period of 2005-08.

While this list includes models already seen this year, including the Fiat Croma and Alfa 159, some surprises are in store: a Lancia SUV in 2006, and the confirmation of a new Lancia Delta as well as a 'specialty' vehicle for the 'luxury' brand in 2007, signify that the marque has a future assured it, while a new Fiat 'city' car in 2007 and a replacement for the executive Alfa 166 in 2008 - complete the unscheduled announcements.

BUSY 2005 GETS THE NEW MODEL ROLL-OUT FIRMLY ON TRACK

A rapid-fire schedule over the next four years (2005-2008) will see 20 new models (and 23 facelifts) introduced by Fiat Auto. This year counts the Fiat Croma (already introduced) the Alfa 159 sedan, 159 Sportwagon, Brera, Brera Spider and Grande Punto (the latter two which will be revealed at next month's Frankfurt IAA) arriving on the market. They will be joined in the market by an Idea van, and the facelifted Doblò range - the Cargo (van) and Panoramica (SUV) versions.

THE NEW FIAT STILO, AND THE SHOCK NEWS OF A LANCIA SUV, ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF 2006

Next year the C-segment replacement for the Fiat Stilo will arrive. To be designed and engineered in record time by Magna-Steyr, it will be built at the Cassino factory (the present home of the Stilo) under the guidance of the Austrian engineering firm. A second facelift for the idiosyncratic Multipla MPV will make up Fiat's new model programme for 2006.

The first big surprise however comes from Lancia who - along with a facelift for the popular Ypsilon - will introduce an unscheduled 'SUV', although no details whatsover are offered. However these two are the first of three all-new models, and three facelifts, to be badged as Lancias in the period up to 2008, providing welcome news that the historic brand is assured a firm role in Sergio Marchionne's vision for the future of Fiat Auto.
 

Alfa Romeo will bring forward the arrival of the GT facelift by a year, to 2006, while Fiat's LCV arm will introduce the new Scudo and Ducato, a van option for the new Grande Punto, a Multipla van facelift, and finally a revised Strada pick-up.

NEW FIAT 'CITY CAR SCHEDULED FOR 2007

The introductions will continue apace into 2007 with Fiat confirming that a new 'city' car (codenamed 500) will be built in Poland. The new 'World Car' replacement for the Palio (codenamed D200 and built by Tofas), details of which were revealed for the first time last month, will roll off the production lines - initially in Turkey - while a facelift for the Panda and Idea models are also scheduled.

Lancia will have very busy 2007 as their revival continues apace. The eagerly-awaited all-new Delta model (which will overlap C and D segments will arrive), together with a "specialty" vehicle, a fresh facelift for the Phedra MPV, and finally a makeover for the Musa small-MPV.

Alfa Romeo will introduce the new C-segment Alfa 147 replacement (the Alfa 149), while LCV will have another busy year, bringing out in record time the new Stilo van, the Minicargo (the new joint venture with PSA in Turkey) as well as facelifts for the Panda and Idea vans.

A NEW MPV FROM FIAT ARRIVES IN 2008

Finally 2008 will see Fiat bring introducing an all new MPV to replace the long-running Multipla, while the 'Minicargo' Panoramica, as well as facelifts of the Croma and Grande Punto, complete the new Fiat models outlined in Marchionne's 2005-08 business plan.

Alfa Romeo will round out the period with an new Alfa 166 executive saloon replacement, as well as the arrival of facelifts for the 159 sedan, 159 Sportwagon, Brera and Brera Spider. Finally the LCV division will quickly roll out a van version of the all-new Multipla MPV, while a facelift is earmarked for the Grande Punto van.