New Alfa Romeo 159 delayed

• Alfa 159 replacement delayed
• Issues with engine availability
• Should be on sale by 2014

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The replacement for the Alfa Romeo 159 is being delayed because suitable engines are not ready for it, Fiat-Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne revealed to What Car?.

Speaking at the 2012 Geneva motor show he said: 'We are not delaying the Alfa because of architecture but because of availability of powertrains that match the DNA of the brand.'

Marchionne admitted that he would like to see Alfa Romeos have the same character and competence that the Fiat Group achieves with Ferrari and Maserati.

Despite the delays Marchionne expects that the new larger Alfa will be on sale by 2014 and that will also herald the brand’s return to the lucrative US market.

Meanwhile the Fiat boss also admitted that the Fiat brand may not return to the large car market with a Ford Mondeo-sized car.

'Without Chrysler [in Europe] I would be worried,' he said, 'but it maybe that Fiat will never do another D-segment car again.'

The Fiat Croma stopped production last year in mainland Europe.

Chas Hallett