Alfa Romeo confirms all-new C-Crossover, its first SUV

Alfa Romeo has ended escalating rumour-mongering that it's about to launch the company's first SUV by admitting there's more than an element of truth in it. Which 'elements' exactly continue to be sketchy, as current circulated images remain nothing more realistic than 2003s Alfa Romeo Kamal Concept - which would be deemed too abstract even by Alfa's standards.

However, fact of the matter is that the Renault Koleos, VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga and Audi Q5 might start quaking with news that Alfa Romeo have finally thrown its hat into the SUV ring.

Still, there are a lot of 'ifs and buts' presently doing the rounds, with claims that Alfa hasn't even settled on the basics yet. Anything concrete concerning whether or not it will be a three or five-door model, and just which current Alfa or Fiat platform the C-Crossover will sit on are scant. Thus far the next-generation Alfa 149/Bravo or a massacred version of the 159s underpinnings are being bandied around, with regard to platform options.

Amid the wild speculation, one thing is for sure though. And that's Alfa Romeo's Q4 four-wheel-drive system will keep the C-Crossover on the road. Or anywhere it happens to stray. Although on further inspection this set-up hints more at tarmac-based performance rather than off-road ability.

Cut-and-thrust for the C-Crossover will come courtesy of a 3.2-litre V6 and a 300bhp direct-injection 2.2-litre JTS petrol engine, with an updated version of the JTD oil-burner also likely.

SUV-mad Americans are set to benefit from an Alfa Romeo manufactured C-Crossover vehicle as early as 2010, where they believe its aesthetics will closely mimic the Kamal Concept. Alfa Romeo is staying tight-lipped about European destinations.