Hybrid Challenges May Hinder Alfa Romeo's 2026 Launch Strategy | Carscoops

      A union leader stated that the Italian facility is prepared to start production, but the new Stelvio and Giulia models are not yet ready.

      Alfa Romeo had initially aimed to commence production of the all-new Stelvio this year, but is now experiencing delays due to issues with hybrid development and internal combustion engines. Following the SUV, the brand will introduce the successor to the Giulia sports sedan.

      Alfa Romeo’s future plans may not be proceeding as smoothly as the curves of their vehicles suggest. While the current Giulia and Stelvio models are being phased out, their successors are already in development. Originally, Alfa intended to focus solely on electric vehicles for the new lineup, but earlier this year they shifted gears, announcing that hybrids would also be included. While this appears to be positive news, the change in strategy may have contributed to setbacks for both models.

      The initial timeline included the debut of the next-generation Stelvio this year, with production set to begin by the end of 2025 and a rollout in 2026, followed by the Giulia. However, reports from Italy indicate that the decision to include combustion engine variants has complicated these plans.

      Delay Challenges

      In an interview with Al Volante, Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili confirmed that development on the new Stelvio and Giulia is ongoing. “As you know, we had initially aimed for an all-electric lineup, but now we also need to develop some thermal engines. So, we are working on defining the timeline,” he stated. When asked if the two models would be ready for a late 2026 launch, Ficili offered the typical CEO response: “We will keep you informed.”

      Ficili isn’t the only one suggesting a potential delay. Mirko Marsella, head of the metalworkers’ union at the Cassino plant (where these vehicles are being manufactured), mentioned that the assembly lines are prepared for the new models, but the cars themselves are still under development. In short, they are ready to assemble, but the actual vehicles are not yet available.

      Hybrid Challenges

      According to Al Volante, the main obstacle appears to be the plug-in hybrid powertrains, which have reportedly posed challenges for Stellantis engineers in developing a viable solution within the STLA Large platform. Although this platform is suitable for the 3.0-liter Hurricane turbo engine for the internal combustion engine version of the Dodge Charger, Alfa intends to utilize a 4-cylinder engine for its mainstream models, a setup that no other Stellantis brand has yet implemented for the STLA Large. This requires extensive development work that cannot be expedited.

      Additionally, union representatives at the Cassino facility have confirmed they have been informed of the situation, noting that, currently, there are no pre-production models equipped with internal combustion engines.

      Stellantis Adjusts Italian Plans

      As reported by Carbuzz, Stellantis has also acknowledged the delays, confirming to Gazzetta that its plans in Italy are being reassessed due to varying market conditions, EU regulations, and tariffs. The company is evidently adjusting in light of the changing environment.

      It is known that both models will share the STLA Large platform, which is also used by vehicles such as the Dodge Charger and Jeep Wagoneer S. This platform is adaptable enough to support both hybrid and electric variants, although specifics regarding the power output of the new Stelvio and Giulia remain limited. There have been rumors that high-performance Quadrifoglio variants could produce nearly 1,000 horsepower in their electric forms, but until final specifications are revealed, it remains uncertain.