The Alfa Romeo 169 is the purported name of the executive car

Executive car

Executive car is a British term that refers to a car's size and is used to describe an automobile larger than a large family car. In official use, the term is adopted by EuroNCAP, a European organisation founded to test car safety.- History :...

 that is expected to be the replacement for the long running Alfa Romeo 166

Alfa Romeo 166

The Alfa Romeo 166 is an executive car that was produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1998 and 2007.The car was designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo under the control of Walter de'Silva, and was facelifted in 2003.- History :...

, which was discontinued in 2007.

Originally planned to be launched in 2008, it has been continually pushed back due to different problems. At the launch of the Alfa Romeo MiTo

Alfa Romeo MiTo

The Alfa Romeo MiTo is a three door sporty supermini officially introduced on June 19, 2008, at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, with an international introduction at the British Motor Show in 2008. The car was available in all Alfa's major markets in stages from July...

 on June 19, 2008, Alfa's CEO Luca De Meo revealed that while the Alfa Romeo 169 was definitely going to be made, development had to be pushed back a year while a suitable FR

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout

In automotive design, an FR, or Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive layout is one where the engine is located at the front of the vehicle and driven wheels are located at the rear. This was the traditional automobile layout for most of the 20th century....

platform was sourced. The 169 was not present in Fiat Group Automobiles product plan for 2010–2014, despite the claims of Fiat and Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne, of Fiat S.p.A.'s aim to make Alfa Romeo a true full-line car maker. The 169 was again present in product plan for 2010-2014 presented by Fiat S.p.A in 14 September 2011, now the start date as late 2014.