Alfa Romeo has set out plans for its biggest product offensive since it was acquired by Fiat in 1986.

Under a project named Giorgio, Alfa Romeo plans to launch eight vehicles in three years, starting with an executive saloon in 2016, badged Giulia, which it hopes will rival the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It will have rear-wheel drive and the range will include a powerful V6 engine in its flagship and a turbocharged four-cylinder unit.

Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has already set out an ambition for Alfa Romeo to sell 400,000 cars per year from 2018, six times the volume it achieved in 2014. The FCA group has pledged £3.5 billion of backing for Alfa’s revival.

Analysts at IHS Automotive believe 216,000 units in the same timescale is more likely.

However Marchionne has used the growth of the Jeep brand to reinforce his ambitions. Jeep had 200,000 global sales in 2009, but is forecast for 1.2m units in 2015.

The new model plan also includes two SUVs, an estate car and a larger executive saloon.

Alfa plans to sell the new models on their driving purity, character, charm, emotion and style under a new strapline ‘'la meccanica delle emozioni’, translating as ‘the mechanics of emotion'.

Each will be built to meet a five-point criteria: innovative engines, 50/50 weight distribution, advanced technical solutions, best-in-class power-to-weight ratios, and distinctive Italian design.