Good news, Alfisti - after a thirteen-year absence, Alfa Romeo's returning to the United States by either 2009 or 2010.

The Italian automaker's return is hallmarked by its sexy 8C Competizione sports car. Alfa's allocated eighty-four of the 450 hp, V-8 sports cars to be sold via U.S. Maserati dealers, but the entire run is already sold out. The convertible version, the 8C Spider, will arrive in America by 2010.

As pretty as the 8C may be, Alfa can't earn its keep in America on halo vehicles alone. Though executives at Alfa Romeo haven't disclosed their exact game plan, Automotive News suggests three new vehicles are imminently destined for the U.S.

The first is a crossover, aimed squarely at the BMW X3. Though it should appear in Europe by 2010, it's also being designed for North American consumption - and should arrive stateside as a 2011 model.

Also under development is a new rear-wheel-drive platform to support a new flagship sedan and luxury coupe. Interestingly, Alfa's currently negotiating with Tata Motors about using a Jaguar platform for the new cars. If successful, the rear-wheel-drive coupe and sedan could come to the U.S. as early as 2011.

Source: Automotive News