Alfa Romeo is dialing back its plan for an all-electric future for the next Giulia and Stelvio. Instead, the Italian brand is lining up a broader powertrain lineup that should include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and full battery-electric versions.
The move reflects a market reality Alfa Romeo can’t ignore: EV adoption is still uneven, and premium buyers are not all ready to make the same leap at the same time. For a brand built on driving character, that makes flexibility more valuable than a neat, one-size-fits-all plan.
Alfa Romeo is widening the playbook for its core sedans and SUVs
Speaking to Autocar, Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili said the brand does not want to lock Giulia and Stelvio into a single propulsion path. The next generation will reportedly span BEV, ICE, and PHEV configurations.
That is less of a reversal than a reset. Alfa Romeo still plans to electrify its range, but it is making clear that the transition won’t look the same everywhere. For buyers, that could mean a wider choice of drivetrains depending on where they live and how they use the car.
STLA Large gives Alfa Romeo some useful flexibility
The next Giulia and Stelvio will ride on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform. It was originally developed with EVs in mind, but it is also engineered to support other powertrains, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
That flexibility is what gives Alfa Romeo room to adjust its plan without starting over. The downside is timing: the project has had to be reworked, which has pushed the launch beyond the original schedule. In a segment where the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC are already established, delays are never ideal.
The new cars should be bigger, and that changes the brief
Both models are expected to grow in size. That could give the Giulia and Stelvio more visual presence and push them into clearer territory against German rivals.
It also raises the bar dynamically. Extra size can bring a more substantial feel, but Alfa Romeo still has to protect the sharp steering, chassis balance, and agility that have always defined the brand’s appeal. Losing that would undercut the whole point of a Giulia or Stelvio.
More than one engine path is on the table
Current information points to four-cylinder turbo engines with mild-hybrid assistance at the lower end of the range. Plug-in hybrid versions could pair a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor on the rear axle, using layouts already considered for STLA-based models.
That approach shows Alfa Romeo is not walking away from combustion overnight. It is layering electrification on top of it. For buyers, that should preserve choice; for Alfa Romeo, it keeps the brand relevant in markets moving at different speeds toward electrification.
Quadrifoglio versions are still part of the story
Performance models are not being shelved. The Quadrifoglio versions are expected to continue, and they’re likely to use electrified or plug-in hybrid solutions while keeping performance at the center of the package.
So far, figures discussed point to more than 670 ch, or around 493 kW. There has also been talk of versions approaching 1,000 ch, though that remains unconfirmed. For now, those numbers deserve caution. The key point is that Alfa Romeo still wants a proper halo model, even as electrification changes how high-performance cars are packaged.
What Alfa Romeo’s pivot means for shoppers
Giulia and Stelvio are shaping up to be more adaptable than the original EV-only plan suggested. Alfa Romeo seems determined to avoid betting the future of two of its most important nameplates on a single powertrain strategy.
- Alfa Romeo has moved away from making the next Giulia and Stelvio full EVs only.
- The lineup is expected to include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric versions.
- STLA Large makes that possible, but it has also delayed the program.
- The cars are expected to grow in size, which could sharpen their position against German rivals.
- Quadrifoglio models are still planned, with performance remaining a priority.
- The expected timing is around 2027, for the 2028 model year.
For buyers who want more than one path to electrification, Alfa Romeo’s revised strategy makes sense. Shoppers looking for a simple, all-EV lineup may be disappointed, but the brand is clearly trying to balance market reality with the need to keep Giulia and Stelvio relevant. In a premium segment that rewards both character and flexibility, that may be the smarter move.
