Alfa Romeo Giulia to Retain Combustion Engines in Upcoming Models
Contrary to Stellantis' 2021 announcement that Alfa Romeo would transition to an all-electric lineup in Europe, North America, and China by 2027, the brand is altering its strategy. The newly appointed CEO of Alfa Romeo has confirmed that the Italian automaker will continue to produce vehicles with combustion engines for the foreseeable future. The forthcoming Stelvio and Giulia models will feature gasoline engines as part of hybrid systems, alongside fully electric versions.
Santo Ficili, CEO of both Alfa Romeo and Maserati, revealed on LinkedIn that the Stelvio will spearhead this new direction. The redesigned SUV is set to be unveiled later this year, with sales expected to commence in 2026. While the release date for the Giulia has not been announced, Ficili mentioned it will follow the Stelvio. Both vehicles will be manufactured in Italy and built on the STLA Large platform, indicating a mechanical relationship with the new Dodge Charger.
Engine Specifications
As a result, the Giulia and Stelvio are anticipated to be equipped with the twin-turbo, 3.0-liter “Hurricane” engine found in the Dodge Charger. This inline-six engine is offered in the Charger Sixpack variants, delivering either 420 or 550 horsepower to an all-wheel-drive system. While torque figures remain undisclosed, the engine produces 469 and 521 pound-feet in the 2025 Ram 1500, translating to 636 and 706 Newton meters respectively.
Strategic Decision
The decision to continue with combustion engines aligns with previous indications from former Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato, who suggested that his successor would have the flexibility to implement a multi-energy architecture for the Stelvio and Giulia successors. Moving exclusively to electric vehicles would have been a significant risk, especially given the current global readiness for widespread electric vehicle adoption. Additionally, Alfa Romeo's current sales performance is not strong, making it prudent to maintain ICE models to support demand.
Design Innovations
Ficili provided limited details about the new models but emphasized that the upcoming Giulia would depart from the traditional sedan design. He described it as adopting “a new design and a new type of bodywork,” suggesting a more SUV-like appearance. "Its platform will be the same as that of the Stelvio. So you can imagine what kind of vehicle we will offer," he stated.
This comment has fueled speculation that the Giulia may evolve into a high-riding, five-door liftback, akin to the Citroën C5 X, Peugeot 4008, and DS N°8. While it may not achieve the Stelvio's ground clearance, it is expected to sit higher than the previous Giulia model.
About a year ago, former Alfa Romeo leader Imparato lauded the car’s design, stating, "What we designed is a bomb; we couldn’t finalize the style of this car without being absolutely in love with it. And now we are!"