Photo: Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo is at work developing self-driving technology for its models. Apparently, the Italian brand will invest heavily in autonomous cars, but they will not be entirely independent shortly. In an interview with the Brits at Autocar, Harald Wester talked about self-driving technology.
Mr. Wester is the boss of Alfa Romeo and Maserati, and he says that the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group has been working on this technology for some time.
However, in spite of the development work for this tech, FCA will not launch any fully self-driving vehicle by the year 2024. The date mentioned is expected to mark the introduction of the first autonomous cars from this corporation.
Until then, development continues, and the company expects authorities to coordinate legislation so that it suits this new category of vehicles.
Wester believes semi-autonomous cars and driving excitement do not rule each other out, saying that drivers will get to enjoy a car more when the road is clear, while getting more comfort in busy traffic.
Once self-driving cars are established on the market, Mr. Wester says it will be more important for automakers to build “driver’s cars,” as these will only be enjoyed by those who desire this characteristic, and making vehicles which “produce an enormous amount of driving emotions” will be the solution.
At the moment, Alfa Romeo’s plan focuses on the Giulia, which must become an established model on the market. In the meantime, the Milanese brand is developing the offspring of the Giulia, which will lead to an all-new range for Alfa Romeo.
According to Harald Wester, the self-driving system designed by FCA will resemble the one on Tesla’s Model S, and it is currently in development. The Giulia is expected to receive such a system later on in its life. Because Alfa Romeo’s Giulia comes to market as a 2017 model, we expect the Italian company to bring semi-autonomous features by the 2020 model year, when a mid-life refresh could be launched.
However, in spite of the development work for this tech, FCA will not launch any fully self-driving vehicle by the year 2024. The date mentioned is expected to mark the introduction of the first autonomous cars from this corporation.
Until then, development continues, and the company expects authorities to coordinate legislation so that it suits this new category of vehicles.
Wester believes semi-autonomous cars and driving excitement do not rule each other out, saying that drivers will get to enjoy a car more when the road is clear, while getting more comfort in busy traffic.
Once self-driving cars are established on the market, Mr. Wester says it will be more important for automakers to build “driver’s cars,” as these will only be enjoyed by those who desire this characteristic, and making vehicles which “produce an enormous amount of driving emotions” will be the solution.
At the moment, Alfa Romeo’s plan focuses on the Giulia, which must become an established model on the market. In the meantime, the Milanese brand is developing the offspring of the Giulia, which will lead to an all-new range for Alfa Romeo.
According to Harald Wester, the self-driving system designed by FCA will resemble the one on Tesla’s Model S, and it is currently in development. The Giulia is expected to receive such a system later on in its life. Because Alfa Romeo’s Giulia comes to market as a 2017 model, we expect the Italian company to bring semi-autonomous features by the 2020 model year, when a mid-life refresh could be launched.
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