The Alfa Romeo Montreal was released in 1970 and has since become an icon of design. And while it wasn't the most popular car at the time of launch, it's nowadays loved by many enthusiasts and has become one of the most beloved Alfa Romeos of all time. The nameplate has been dead since 1977, but that hasn't stopped enthusiasts wishing for a revival.
While the Montreal was a commercial flop when it was launched, there are some good arguments as to why Alfa should create a comeback model. Renders have shown how good the car could look, and with Alfa Romeo having finally refound itself as a brand, it could sit comfortably within the lineup. The prospect of a re-launch for the Montreal would be a brilliant business choice by Alfa Romeo, and for enthusiasts too.
8 It Would Be Alfa's New Halo Model
The Montreal sat at the head of the Alfa Romeo lineup in the'70s, and since then, only the 8C Competizione has been at the top. A new Montreal would be a great way to create an extravagant car that would be a reflection of what Alfa Romeo is capable of producing. By paying homage to the past, enthusiasts would be invested in what it could perform like nowadays.
It may mean that the Montreal won't be easily available and it may even be special-order only, but we'd love to see a new Alfa Romeo halo car, especially as it would make use of new technology and updated styling.
7 It Was V8-Powered
The original Alfa Romeo Montreal used a 2.6-liter V8 engine that produces 197 hp. Being derived from the engine used in the 33 Stradale and the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 porotype, the engine had a lot of links to racing and a supercar feel. The return of the Montreal nameplate could also bring the return of the V8 engine, and it could be better than ever.
The last production Alfa Romeo to feature a V8 was the 8C and it would be an exciting prospect for Alfa Romeo to return to using the iconic V8 in its cars. With technological improvements, the V8 engine used could be incredibly powerful and it could easily be the fastest Alfa Romeo ever made. General engine improvements could also bring up the car's top speed and make it all the more lucrative for enthusiasts to own.
6 Alternatively, It Could Use Alfa's Twin-Turbo V6
While the prospect of Alfa Romeo using a V8 in a new Montreal would be likely, the car could come with Alfa's great V6 engine instead. The Alfa Romeo GTAM uses a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine that produces 532 hp. This amount of power is outstanding and it could be expected that a returning Montreal would use a similar engine, showing how much power it can produce.
Also, the Montreal may use the same chassis as the GTAM too, giving it a sporty feel without the cost of developing a bespoke one. Bringing the Montreal back would be a great way to make use of the brilliant V6 engine and to continue to bring the GTAM to feel to other Alfa Romeo cars.
5 Iconic Styling
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The revival of the Alfa Romeo Montreal could bring the iconic styling to the 21st Century. The Montreal was one of the best-looking cars of the 1970s and this was no surprise with its Bertone's impeccable styling and the Miura inspiration it is derived from. Nowadays, the Montreal could continue its iconic styling cues and bring them up to date.
Renderings show how the Montreal would appear as a contemporary coupe, giving it four-leaf clover fog lights and impressive slats. It would look exceptional as a modern car, and these renderings only offer a small insight into how cool and futuristic the car could be.
4 Continuing The History Of GT Cars
Enthusiasts are aware of the iconic grand tourer cars made by Alfa Romeo in the past. The earliest examples (the 6C and 8C) were some of the finest long-distance cruisers ever made. Even in the 1950s and '60s, the Giulietta (in various guises) and 2600 helped Alfa Romeo be regarded as one of the best brands for proper GT cars.
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However, since the death of the Montreal in 1977, there have been no mass-produced Alfa Romeo GT cars (bar the SZ/RZ). The re-introduction of the Montreal could continue this legacy and solidify Alfa Romeo's status in terms of producing GT cars.
3 Help To Restore Alfa Romeo's Sports Car Pedigree
The Alfa Romeo name hasn't been all that successful since its relaunch, and this has especially been true in the North American markets (take the 4C as the perfect example). However, the GTA and Quadrofoglio offer a brilliant reflection of what Alfa Romeo can do for its cars and how well-built they can be.
Relaunching the Montreal could be a way of garnering new and old interests, bringing an iconic name to the forefront, and allowing enthusiasts to be excited about it, helping to restore its pedigree at the same time.
2 It Could Make Use OfParts From Stellantis
Stellantis was formed in 2021, merging multiple brands under an umbrella including Alfa Romeo. Hence, the brand can use parts from other brands under the Stellantis umbrella, such as Maserati and Fiat. Using these parts would be a great reason why the future Montreal car should make a comeback as it would decrease development costs and make it a profitable venture.
This would make business sense in terms of money and create an interesting car for gearheads, building a positive reputation. It would not only restore a great nameplate but also show how the Stellantis operation can offer so much.
1 It Could Be A Crossover
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The Montreal would make a perfect cross-over for Alfa Romeo, offering a completely new experience for enthusiasts. The Stelvio is the closest thing that Alfa Romeo has to a full-size crossover, but the Montreal could solidify this production. Renders have shown what a Montreal cross-over could look like in 2030 and the results are outstanding.
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The car could be an all-electric model, coming with futuristic styling and moving away completely from the bold coloring used previously to a very minimalistic silver. This would be an exciting change, showing Alfa Romeo embracing the future but also paying homage to its past.