Rumors have been swirling for a few months that the Chrysler-Fiat alliance was looking at replacing the Dodge Challenger with something smaller and faster. This might be disappointing to Challenger fans, but all automakers are looking towards downsizing their current crop of muscle cars to meet new fuel economy standards, while maintaining performance.

The car slated to replace the Challenger will be called the Barracuda, and it could be based on the (wait for it) 2012 Alfa Romeo Touring Superleggara Disco Volante Concept.

The Disco Volante first debuted in 1952, marking this year as the 60th anniversary of this nimble Italian roadster. Alfa Romeo has been plotting to build a car to celebrate its racing heritage, and while the Disco Volante’s never really won any big races, they were still worthy competitors. This new concept packs a 4.7 liter V8 borrowed from the 8C Competizione, an engine actually built for Ferraris and Maseratis. The platform the Disco Volante sits on is also used in Maseratis.

Does that mean a future Barracuda will get a Ferrari motor? Probably not. But it could share the same rear-drive platform as the sport Alfa, and the same basic lines. We’d expect a more muscular look for an American muscle car, but the long hood, short trunk lid, and fastback roofline could all easily be adapted for a new rear-drive car with classic looks. And if you take a look at this screenshot from the 60 Minutes interview with Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, you can see that the mystery concept car in the background seems to share the same lines. Hrmm…

We see a lot of potential in this platform serving as a new Barracuda…but can a Ferrari engine and Maserati chassis ever be affordable? We’re skeptical, so it might be best to wait and see what direction Chrysler-Fiat goes with this who Barracuda experiment.