Alfa Romeo’s early history is twinned with a rich heritage of motorsport success. In a bid to reconnect with this history the company is planning on introducing a series of performance engines that will include V6 powerplants and a switch to rear-wheel drive. Alfa is undertaking a new model blitz in a bid to re-establish the brand in key markets such as the U.S. and the company is said to be putting the final touches on two diesel and petrol engines that will debut in Alfa’s mid-sized saloon when it is formally revealed in June 2015. Reports suggest that the Ferrari developed twin-turbo, V6 2.9-litre petrol engine will have around 480 bhp, the unit is also used in the Maserati Quattroporte. Alfa could also poach the 3.0-litre V6 diesel currently used by Jeep and Maserati. A 2.0-litre, four cylinder turbo-charged, petrol engine is also in the works and will feature MultiAir variable timing technology. Power will range from 180 bhp and 330 bhp. AWD with manual or automatic transmissions will also be offered most like for the 2016 SUV. The V6 diesel will be exclusive to the proposed SUV and executive saloon. Alfa is undergoing a 5 billion euro investment plan which will see the introduction of eight new models. Alfa Romeo plans to increase production to 400,000 units per year by 2018, the brand recorded 74,000 sales in 2013. Alfa is targeting the United States to boost sales but it currently has little traction in the region due to a non existent dealer network and will initially rely on Fiat dealerships to act as a key sales channel. Alfa Romeo will reveal its BMW 5 Series rival on June 24 next year and by 2016 an Alfa SUV will be revealed, most likely a rival for the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.