Fiat Chrysler officials last week dismissed a report that Alfa Romeo's forthcoming sedan was delayed for months due to poor performance in crash tests.
Automotive News Europe, citing supplier sources, reported that the Giulia failed internal tests of front, side and rear-impact collisions and required "extensive re-engineering" that extended the sedan's development time by six months.
The Giulia is now scheduled to debut in Europe in mid-2016. The report also indicated that Roberto Fedeli, Ferrari's former chief engineer, joined the company after a stint at BMW. Fedeli will serve as chief technical officer for both Alfa Romeo and Maserati amid "mounting technical problems."
An FCA spokesman in the U.S. responded that the report was "a resounding false," according to Car and Driver.
The Giulia is considered a critical launch for Alfa Romeo. The sedan marks the company's large-scale return to the North American market and will serve as the basis for a new crossover in Europe.