Alfa Romeo and Fiat set sail for the Sunshine Coast

MOTORING on the Sunshine Coast will have a distinct Italian flavour from January 1.

Alfa Romeo and Fiat offerings will be available from Cricks Noosa.

MOTORING on the Sunshine Coast will have a distinct Italian flavour from January 1.

Cricks Noosa officially welcome Fiat, Abarth and Alfa Romeo into the showroom mix from the New Year.

Cricks Noosa dealer principal Matthew Murray said the brands were exciting introduction for the region, with one of the decisive factors being to fill a void in commercial vehicles that will achieved by the Fiat Professional range.

The Italian marques are forecast to enjoy a renaissance courtesy of new distribution partners, the Chrysler Group.

Fiat and Alfa Romeo are about to embark on an exciting new marketing and launch phase.

Currently in the passenger vehicle line-up is the cute Fiat 500 light car, while Alfa Romeo has the MiTo three-door hatch and the compact Giulietta five-door hatch.

The Fiat commercial range incorporates the Ducato van and cab chassis, as well as the Scudo van.

Abarth's only offering is the 500 Esseesse, a fire-breathing version of the pint size Fiat 500.

But watch for a rollout of compact hatches, soft-roaders, sports cars and warmed-over versions of existing models between now and 2015.

Two derivatives of the Fiat 500 are slated to lead the charge. The 500L is a longer, wider version of the 500 featuring four doors that goes on sale soon in Europe, while the 500X is a baby soft-roader based on the 500's underpinnings that is currently under development.

A larger hatchback, the Punto, could also return after being briefly sold here about five years ago. The Panda is another Fiat right-hand-drive car that has been popular overseas and could come to Australia.

Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo will put its best foot forward with a pair of sexy sports cars.

The 4C that was the star of last year's Geneva motor show has been confirmed for Australia, although it's unlikely to arrive until late 2014 at the earliest. The two-seat coupe will be rear-wheel-driven and is expected to be motivated by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that will help it reach 100kmh in about 4.5 seconds.

The company has also announced a technical collaboration with Mazda that will see the next generation of its Spider roadster based on the underpinnings of the Japanese brand's feted MX-5. This car will also be available to Australian buyers.

Also locked in for Australia is the Giulia, a small-to-mid-size sedan and wagon that will replace the discontinued 159 range, while Alfa Romeo is also believed to be developing its own baby soft-roader that is on the local wish list.

New models of the existing MiTo and Giulietta hatches are also expected to arrive in the same three-year timeframe.

Fiat Chrysler Group corporate affairs director Lenore Fletcher said there were plans for two new product lines in 2013 - maybe three.

"We will definitely be looking at expanding the passenger line-up in just what format that takes is in the business planning now," she said.

CRICKS DRIVE DAY

Cricks Noosa will host an Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Fiat Professional and Abarth drive day to welcome the new range.

When: Saturday, January 19, 11am-3pm.

Where: Cricks Noosa, Autopark, Lionel Donovan Drive

Contact: Grant Absolom 5440 3600 or email [e-mail]