Alfa Romeo is preparing to launch the much anticipated Giulia which promises to be an improvement on the outgoing 159.

Based on Alfa’s variable C/D platform, the Giulia is tipped to get a McPherson front suspension with a twin-link rear setup. As with the Alfa 159, the Giulia is expected to be front-drive, with the trick Q4 all-wheel-drive system available as an option, hooked up to a variety of turbodiesel and MultiAir gasoline engines.

Unlike the MiTo and Giulietta, both of which are hatchback-only, the Giulia promises both four-door sedan and five-door wagons as part of the mix. The tantalizing end of the range, however, is tipped to include an in-house GTA model – with at least 300 horsepower, all-wheel drive and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – and a lightweight, front-drive version with 350 horsepower to be co-developed with famed Alfa tuner Autodelta.

Since the merger of Fiat and Chrysler we have been expecting some major changes in terms of leading executives. Recently Lancia chief executive Olivier Fancois was named as the head of the Chrysler division. Now similar reports have placed Abarth, Maserati and Alfa Romeo under common leadership. That leadership is by Harald Wester. In his new role, Wester replaces Sergio Cravero, who himself was recently promoted from the brand’s communications directorate to serve as a replacement for the departing Luca de Meo who will change to a new role as head of product planning for the entire Fiat Group.

As a result, we can expect to see a deeper level of collaboration between these performance-oriented brands within the expanding Fiat empire. Details in the press release after the jump.