EV Ambitions Recalibrated
Alfa Romeo was one of the brands that once vowed to go all-electric this decade, but had to pump the brakes due to shifting market conditions. Now, the Italian marque is instead adopting a multi-powertrain approach, telling Autocar that the “world is not ready everywhere” for electric vehicles.
That is because not every market has the same level of EV adoption. EVs may work in some parts of the world, while hybrids may be a better fit elsewhere. Alfa Romeo is sticking with its two long-running nameplates, the Giulia and Stelvio, which will reportedly be underpinned by Stellantis’ STLA Large platform and could be offered with combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains.
“We need to find a way to satisfy the needs of our customers. What does this mean? It means BEV, and it means all the other kinds of endothermic [powertrains], so ICE, PHEV, BEV. So that’s the direction,” Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili said.
Alfa Romeo
Flexibility Pays Off
Such a strategy has worked in favor of brands that took a more gradual approach, with Toyota making a strong case. Stellantis, meanwhile, reportedly took a $26 billion hit after overestimating EV demand. Now, the automaker is recalibrating its strategy around real-world demand, echoing Ficili’s remarks.
While the STLA Large platform is designed primarily for EVs, it can accommodate other powertrain types. Both the upcoming Giulia and Stelvio are expected to use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a mild-hybrid system to meet emissions standards. For the PHEV versions, reports suggest a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine could be paired with a rear electric motor. Details on the EV options also remain scarce.
Alfa Romeo
The Powertrain Mix Expands
In addition, the models’ high-performance Quadrifoglio variants are expected to be offered with combustion and fully electric powertrains, with reports suggesting outputs of up to 1,000 horsepower from a tri-motor setup, though nothing has been confirmed.
This could be welcome news for enthusiasts, especially since the Giulia Quadrifoglio is seen as a strong alternative to the BMW M3. While waiting for further developments, observers can turn to the Dodge Charger for early indicators, as it uses the same platform that will underpin the new Giulia and Stelvio. Both models are expected to be released in 2028.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
About the author
Rex Sanchez
News Editor