Second-Generation Stelvio Paused as Alfa Romeo Revises EV Strategy
Alfa Romeo
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The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has been around for eight years now. It debuted shortly after the brand's return to North America in 2015, and while it has outsold the Giulia sedan almost every year since its launch, the Stelvio has not delivered the expected impact as the company’s first SUV. Naturally, anticipation is high for the next generation to make improvements, but recent comments from Alfa leadership suggest we might be waiting a while longer.
During a Q&A session regarding the automaker's partnership with the Luna Rossa sailing team, Santo Ficili, CEO of Alfa Romeo and Maserati, briefly addressed inquiries about the forthcoming SUV.
“The transition to electrification is not progressing as quickly as we expected, so we are completely changing our strategy based on our customers' specific requests,” Ficili stated. “The future of Alfa Romeo will not be limited to BEVs; we are also working to enhance the internal combustion engine, PHEV, and MHEV powertrains. In this context, we are revising our plans. As soon as we are ready, we will certainly launch the new Stelvio.”
While this isn't particularly surprising, it is somewhat disappointing. Last month, Reuters reported that the launch of the new SUV had been delayed due to “tepid demand for electric vehicles.” Initially, Alfa was expected to introduce a battery electric version of the Stelvio, which will be based on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, similar to the Dodge Charger. Combining this report with Ficili's comments indicates that Alfa has chosen to take additional time to unveil a hybrid model alongside the EV. According to sources cited by Reuters, the second-generation Stelvio may not begin deliveries until September 2026 at the earliest.
In the meantime, the current Stelvio has begun to show its age. While it still has a strong appearance, particularly after last year's refresh, it is having difficulty keeping up with the latest competitors from Alfa's luxury rivals in Germany. Unfortunately for the historic Italian automaker, its solution isn’t readily available.
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