Skip advert
Advertisement

Petrolheads rejoice! New Alfa Romeo Giulia might not be EV-only

The next Alfa Romeo Giulia was set to ditch ICE for electric power, but a softening market may see a dramatic U-turn

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - front

The all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon may now be offered with petrol engines as well as electric power – signalling a possible dramatic U-turn for the maker’s range of large family cars.

Ex-Alfa boss and recently-appointed Stellantis Europe CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato told Auto Express: “As we are blind in terms of changes in regulation, my only answer is that I have the means to adapt.

“We will assess where we are,” he told us. “If the current global ecosystem does not change, [Giulia] will be 100 per cent electric. If I see it is changing, or that I’m not matching what I want, it is not a problem to adjust with alternative powertrains.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Alfa Romeo had been finalising its plan to become a fully-electric car company by 2027, and while it isn’t turning its back on EVs, the Giulia and closely-related Stelvio SUV may follow in the footsteps of the smaller Junior crossover by being offered with a range of powertrains in time. Both the Giulia and Stelvio are expected to sit on the Stellantis STLA Large architecture, which will also support other models within the wider Stellantis stable.

Big electric range for new Giulia

The Giulia EV’s underpinnings will offer a minimum of 800km (497 miles) of range, with battery sizes ranging from 85kWh to 118kWh, according to Stellantis investor information. This would give the electric Giulia one of the longest ranges of any EV on sale. It will apparently have class-leading rapid-charge capability, with up to 20 miles of range added per minute.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

But speaking more recently from the 2024 Paris Motor Show, Imparato told us his Alfa successor Santo Ficili “has the flex” to implement a multi-fuel strategy if market conditions and customer appetites dictate it necessary.

These comments contradict the then Alfa CEO’s stance from a few years ago, and reflect Europe’s softening EV market. Back in 2022, Imparato said a move to full electrification for its core saloon was a must as the brand looked to turn its portfolio of models to fully electric by the end of the decade.

Advertisement - Article continues below

“I have to make some big choices”, he said previously. “If I want to have more than an average level of performance, I must be bold. If I say I go electric, I go electric. I’m not half pregnant, if you see what I mean? It doesn’t work. It is a risk, but that’s normal. We are here to take some risks, but we have passed the tipping point for me.”

Driver-centric focus

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the maker’s focus on engagement. Back then, Alfa’s boss outlined that the brand would continue to prioritise the driver-centric and sporty approach its cars have become known for. In Paris, he told us: “You will see, on STLA Large, the level of performance we can reach”.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

He doesn’t see this being diluted with Alfa’s EVs, either: “I would love to have this ‘light is right’ tagline for Alfa Romeo,” Imparato said. “Even if I have one tonne of battery behind me, I want to convey an idea of lightness, even if I am electrified. It’s a fundamental of Alfa Romeo and we are building this new range based on that. But it’s not enough – we are working on the vibe you will feel when you drive an Alfa Romeo in 2025.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

This won’t be an artificial sound either, according to Imparato. The Frenchman outlined that he doesn’t want to bring fake features to Alfa’s cars, which would not be in keeping with its values.

Alfa Romeo Giulia - front tracking

As a result, his innovation team is working on sensations it wants its customers to feel, vibrations, feedback “probably some new sounds and movements, but nothing fake – that is the intention”.

New Giulia Quadrifoglio?

On the performance end of the Giulia scale, the Quadrifoglio’s future is not clear. There is potential for more powerful all-wheel drive models to sit on the STLA Large platform, with Stellantis claiming a 0-62mph time of 2.0 seconds is possible for cars based on this tech. Imparato has said that if Alfa Romeo was not able to deliver the right level of performance a Quadrifoglio model needed to bring in any given sector, the brand would not compromise by building such a car.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Alfa Romeo will study a performance-focused Quadrifoglio version on all of its new-car launches, looking to offer this higher-powered, more aggressive option that’s “fully consistent with the Quadrifoglio message that we stand for since the beginning of the brand.”

For the EV, Stellantis will have three electric drive modules at its disposal, with the third offering 400 or 800v tech and up to 443bhp per motor. It means to reach the required performance level for a Giulia Quadrifoglio it would likely use a dual-motor four-wheel-drive set-up. Any combustion-engined option is likely to pair a six-cylinder turbocharged engine with either mild or plug-in hybrid power.

To protect the characteristics Alfa needs its future cars to have the brand has a member of its product team embedded in the development of the STLA Large architecture. “The guy who is embedded by us to define the specification, the features, the performance, is Fabio Migliavacca, the guy who developed the GTA version for Alfa Romeo,” Imparato said. “He breathes Alfa Romeo, so he will give the features we need to define this totally clean-sheet design.”

There are also a number of “dream cars” Imparato and the team he leaves behind would love to create. While he admitted a GTV is on that list, he said: “If I have to make a choice, I go for the Duetto Spider. Obviously, we have designed that car, but I will not dare to put that on the table before Alfa Romeo is completely secure [in its finances]. But we can do it with the technological bridge we have in the product plan, no problem.”

Click here for the latest Alfa Romeo news and reviews...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best saloon cars to buy in 2024
Best saloon cars

Best saloon cars to buy in 2024

Saloon cars may be less popular than they used to be, but there are still plenty of fantastic models to choose from
Best cars & vans
31 Oct 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Sleek Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint for £318 per month
Alfa Romeo Giulia - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Sleek Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint for £318 per month

Alfa’s stylish sports saloon still turns heads, and you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to get one
News
28 Sep 2024
Best executive cars to buy 2024
Best executive cars - header image

Best executive cars to buy 2024

These executive cars add a real touch of class to every journey
Best cars & vans
10 Sep 2024
Best cars for £15,000 or less
Best cars for £15,000 - header

Best cars for £15,000 or less

Spending around £15,000 doesn’t get you much in the new car market these days, but it can land you a brilliant used model
Best cars & vans
18 Mar 2024

Most Popular

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships
Opinion - Jaguar

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships

Mike Rutherford thinks it's been a difficult few months for the British car industry
Opinion
8 Dec 2024
MG 5 electric estate reaches the end of the road
MG5 EV - front tracking

MG 5 electric estate reaches the end of the road

The MG 5 will disappear from sale in 2025 as the model is deemed surplus to requirements
News
6 Dec 2024
Car Deal of the Day: posh Peugeot 5008 seven-seat SUV for just £225 a month
Peugeot 5008 - front

Car Deal of the Day: posh Peugeot 5008 seven-seat SUV for just £225 a month

A spacious SUV with a daring design and plush cabin. What’s not to like? It’s our Deal of the Day for 6 December
News
6 Dec 2024