Skip advert
Advertisement

Alfa Romeo to launch large SUV after mid-size Stelvio arrives in 2017

Alfa Romeo's forthcoming large SUV is likely to be based on sister-brand Maserati’s Levante

Alfa romeo grille

Alfa’s next all-new model, following the arrival of the mid-size SUV early next year, is expected to be a full-size SUV, possibly sharing technology with sister brand Maserati’s Levante.

New Alfa and Maserati CEO Reid Bigland hinted that it’ll be a large SUV next for Alfa, rather than a more extreme sports car or luxury model, telling Auto Express: “When you look at SUVs, the whole world seems to be gravitating towards them.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Paris Motor Show 2016: news

“A few years ago the notion of an Alfa or Maserati SUV was a little sacrilegious, but you need to go where the consumer preference is going.”

“It could be a larger SUV or a larger halo type sporty coupe like a 6C, but you need to keep an eye on where the market and consumer preference is going and that’s all SUVs.”

The added profitability available to car companies and retailers from SUVs, is also pointing Bigland towards another SUV. “Segment size and segment profitability and two separate things,” he said. “When you look at incentive activity in compact and executive cars, it’s absolutely brutal. Then when you look at the discount of anything named an SUV and it’s a fraction of that in cars.”

Bigland also promised that any new Alfa, including SUVs, would be core to the brand’s main attributes of  “incredible technology, wicked performance and gorgeous Italian design.”

“People are going to get blown away by the driving dynamics of the mid-size SUV,” he told us.

However, there are no plans to make the larger SUV available with seven seats. As Bigland explained: “Alfa needs to stay consistent with its performance views. When you get into vehicles that large [with seven seats] it’s difficult to take them around the Nurburgring.”

“For the Maserati brand and for Alfa, too, getting into seven seats seems pretty remote.”

Do you like the idea of a larger Alfa Romeo SUV? Let us know in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio will feature enhanced in-car tech but remain driver focused
Alfa Romeo Giulia - front cornering

New Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio will feature enhanced in-car tech but remain driver focused

New Alfa Stelvio SUV to be revealed later this year, while the next Giulia saloon is coming in 2026
News
15 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Alfa Romeo adds a golden touch to all models with the Intensa special editions
Alfa Romeo Intensa - lineup

Alfa Romeo adds a golden touch to all models with the Intensa special editions

Black and gold theme, plus extra kit, available on the Junior, Tonale, Giulia and Stelvio
News
31 Mar 2025
No new Alfa Romeo sports cars, unless...
Alfa Romeo 4C

No new Alfa Romeo sports cars, unless...

…Italian brand can start to shift serious amounts of new product. Then we could see it make a new sports car
News
24 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025