We Were Expected to Receive New Giulia and Stelvio Models, But Alfa Has Different Ideas | Carscoops

      The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and its closely related Stelvio SUV will remain in production longer than previously anticipated.

      The production of both models has been extended, although their offset license plate design may conflict with upcoming EU safety regulations. The arrival of successor models has been postponed, with plans for electric and hybrid options.

      Stellantis and its Italian division find themselves in an intriguing situation. The once-promising plan for new Alfa Romeo sedans and SUVs has shifted again. Rather than launching new vehicles, the decision has been made to prolong the current models' lifecycle.

      The Giulia and Stelvio will continue to be produced at the Cassino facility in Italy until late 2027, as the debut of their successors has been delayed. This extension was confirmed by Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili during the launch of the updated Tonale, where he admitted that the new models require additional development time.

      Initially, the next-generation Giulia and Stelvio were planned as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), but Stellantis later decided to incorporate a hybrid powertrain, extending the development period. Ficili mentioned earlier this year that the new Stelvio could be unveiled in 2025, with sales commencing in 2026, followed by the Giulia. This timeline may have been overly ambitious.

      The Giulia debuted in 2015, while the Stelvio followed in 2016, both utilizing the Giorgio platform. They received a mid-cycle refresh in 2023, introducing updated features and design elements. However, by the time the last units are produced in late 2027, both models will be nearing their 10th year on the market.

      For context, they will have been available through three generations of BMW’s 3-Series and X3 models.

      Currently, the Giulia and Stelvio are the slowest-selling vehicles in Alfa Romeo's lineup, contributing minimally to the brand’s overall sales. The entry-level Junior has taken the sales lead, followed by the Tonale, which is slightly larger.

      After the launch of the Junior and the refreshed Tonale, the Giulia and Stelvio remain as the only models in Alfa Romeo’s portfolio featuring the offset license plate design. This situation prompts questions about whether they can remain on the market for another two years without any modifications, particularly given recent regulations.

      Last year, Alfonso Mesonero-Romanos, Alfa Romeo's design lead, indicated that the offset license plate would no longer comply with pedestrian safety homologation regulations. This was interpreted by some as a consequence of the European Union’s General Safety Regulation II (GSR 2), which takes effect in July 2026 for new models.

      Upon further examination of the regulations, it appears there is no explicit mandate requiring license plates to be centered. However, type-approval agencies could deny certification for vehicles that do not meet specific technical criteria for the mounting and securing of front registration plates.

      Interestingly, the regulations do allow for some leniency regarding the perpendicular position of the license plate, permitting it to be off-center for technical, aerodynamic, or other valid reasons, though this must be requested by the manufacturer.

      It remains uncertain whether Alfa Romeo can retain the current design or will need to undergo an expensive redesign for these low-selling models, especially since the latest refresh made minimal changes to the bodywork aside from trim and lighting.

      Additionally, the presence of non-electrified petrol and diesel engines brings another challenge as they face stricter European emissions standards. Creating compliant replacements would require substantial investment, leading Alfa Romeo to consider phasing out certain versions in Europe while possibly continuing their sale in other markets.