Range-depleted Alfa Romeo is plotting an estate version of its strong selling Giulietta hatchback.
However the planned SW won't go on sale until 2013, according to Automotive News Europe, leaving the marque with just two models, the Giulietta hatch and MiTo supermini, to sell next year.
Bigger bootied Giulietta on its way
This year Alfa culled almost as many models as featured in Renault's recent announcement, although unlike the French maker the axe wasn't confined to the UK. The Italian firm stopped making the 159 saloon and estate in November, which joined the Brera and Spider, as well as the long-running GT coupe, in heading for the door. Alfa hasn't sold the 166 saloon since 2007.
Alfa's five-year plan unveiled last year promised the 159 replacement, the Giulia, would be launched next year. However that has now been delayed until 2013. Also on the horizon is the much anticipated 4C coupe, but again that won't be on the market until 2013.
Mid 80s Alfa 33 Sportwagon had 4WD
The same 2010 plan revealed two crossovers are in the works, and it's possible the smaller, Jeep-based Qashqai rival could hit showrooms by the end of the 2012 although, given Alfa's timekeeping, it looks unlikely. A larger X3 rival is pencilled in for 2014.
However, despite having to rely on two models, Alfa in the UK is having a very good year. Up to the end of November, sales were up 41 per cent on this time last year, with the total so far of 10,995 soundly beating last year's figure of 8,834 cars sold. Back in 2008, the firm shifted just 5,960.
The promise of a new Giulietta-based estate would fill a niche last catered by the 33 Sportwagon from 1985. That came with the surprising option of four-wheel drive, with the rear diff reducing practicality by munching into the boot space.
Lovely Giulia SW proves estates can be glam too
It also gives us the ideal excuse to run a picture of the very rare SW based on the 60s Giulia. Wrong name of course, but given how cars have expanded, a good size match we'd wager