Alexandre
Since the birth of the Stellantisan ambitious roadmap had been drawn up for Alfa Romeo: Italian brand to become 100 % electric by 2027. The Stelvio, scheduled for 2025, was to be the first model to be launched exclusively in electric version. However, this plan, which was in line with European regulations requiring only electric cars from 2035, now seems to be faltering.
A changing context
Stellantis' initial objective was to switch all its brands in Europe to 100 % electric ranges by 2030. Yet by 2024, the electric car market has become a real headache. Prices are higher than for combustion engines, recharging infrastructure is still limited, and the reluctance of some consumers is slowing down the transition. Faced with these challenges, many automakers are starting to review their plans, and Alfa Romeo is no exception. And let's not forget thatAlfa Romeo sets itself ambitious targets for years to come.
A hybrid Stelvio on the horizon?
The Stelvio, the brand's flagship model, was to embody this transition by becoming the first exclusively electric model in the range by 2025, information gathered at the Paris Motor Show suggests a turnaround. Alfa Romeo, present at the show with a range including its flagship models such as the Junior, Tonale, Giulia and 33 Stradale, has hinted, via an off-the-record announcement from management that a hybrid version of the Stelvio is now being seriously considered.
This information, though unofficial, comes at the same time as the recent changes in the brand's management. Alfa Romeo's new CEOmay want to explore alternatives to all-electricity.
The new STLA Large platform in action
The Stelvio of 2025 will be the first Stellantis model to use the new STLA Large platformcombined with advanced STLA Brain technology. While electric powertrains will of course remain at the heart of development, probably supplied by Emotors, a hybrid version could also see the light of day. The latter would be powered by an internal combustion engine, possibly the 1.6L 4-cylinder petrol PHEVdeveloped in partnership with Punch Powertrain, which is scheduled to come to market in 2025, in a wave of new PHEV models.
A strategic shift
The decision to hybridize the Stelvio is not an insignificant one. It is part of a pragmatic approach to the difficulties encountered by many manufacturers to convince a public that is still reluctant to go electric at 100 %. The hybrid would enable Alfa Romeo to offer a smooth transition, while continuing to appeal to Alfisti attached to the performance and driving sensations associated with combustion engines.
Two questions arise: what about the compatibility of this strategy with the CAFE law ? And by how many years is this transition to 100 electric % postponed?
I don't think the PureToc 1.6L is suitable for the STLA-Medium platform.
We'd probably go for the 4 and 6-cylinder GMEs...
And I hope so...
As the STLA Large is brand-new, they may well have made it compatible with EP6 blocks...
The announced closure of the Tremoli plant (which produces GME blocks) to ACC, which will produce batteries there (if not yet postponed) is already setting the tone. At no time, given the Group's profitability policy, will they be importing GME blocks manufactured in the USA as well.
And the fact that Punch Powertrain is in the mix should be a red flag. As a reminder, an agreement had been reached between PSA and PPT before the merger to develop several PHEV/hybrid transmissions on several engines. The 1.2 (already in service with the e-DCS6 gearbox) and the 1.6, i.e. the EP6 THP block.
And to go even further, it's not even impossible that the GME will be discontinued in the USA and replaced by the EP6 (see article posted here not long ago). What's more, this coincides with the almost-confirmed rumors that the future Jeep Compass and Chrysler SUV will be derivatives of the 3008 (itself on Medium), which uses EP6. So if the LARGE is EP6-compatible, it's the death of the GME.
I think the Large was already in design long before, but if what you say is true, then it stinks, very badly.
@Stabak: 1.6 is a heavily reworked version of the current EP6.
It is scheduled for production in the USA by 2025/2026.
It seems very likely to me that the STLA Large platform will be compatible with the new 1.6, especially for the European market.
The Group has never announced that it will be updating its GME blocks to European standards.
It's possible that this 1.6 will be available as a 48V MHEV in the USA (less certain in Europe), as well as a PHEV.
Unless the Group has decided to offer a full-hybrid version of the 1.6 for the US market: this technology was rejected by PSA at the time in favor of the 48V MHEV.
The current generation EP6 is available in a wide range of power ratings on the European market, notably from Peugeot (3008 and 508) and DS7: 180hp/225hp/250hp/300hp and 360hp (the latter 2 versions being combined with e-AWD all-wheel drive).
Alfa Romeo will certainly be offering more powerful versions than the 195 hp version introduced on the new 3008 III and 5008 III, with at least one e-AWD all-wheel drive version. A priori, off-the-record information points to a 320 hp PHEV.
The gearbox is an e-DCS7 from Punch Powertrain, different from the e-DCS6 available only on 48V MHEV versions.
As far as the USA is concerned, I don't think that the EP6 will be the only powertrain on offer: GME blocks are likely to be around for a few years yet.
There is a risk of differentiation between the models available in Europe and the USA: electric motors and EP6 in the former, electric motors, EP6 (entry-level) and GME in the latter.
Ah yes, I quite agree. The current EP6 really doesn't have much in common with the first version, which was released on the 207 (almost 20 years ago). Despite some teething problems that were resolved many years ago, this block has become excellent in many areas. PSA and then Stellantis really succeeded in perfecting it and making it the excellent engine it is today.
The only thing that bothers me is that for a big SUV like a Stelvio, even in PHEV with a big electric motor, it just doesn't cut it. On a sedan like a Giullietta, it would be better...
In all honesty, putting a 1600 block, whether from PSA or FCA, in a vehicle of this standing is a joke. It'll grind like a 1.2 puretech to recharge the batteries and drag the big SUV miserably. Might as well go all-electric. If you're going to kill the internal combustion engine, you might as well finish it off with a flourish.
The same constant denigration of French engines.
It's flying high here...
A rather childish reaction. Nobody criticizes a particular engine for its nationality.
Going from a Ferrari-sourced 2.9L V6 to a Peugeot-sourced 1.6L L4, with its supposed reputation, is a bit of a step downmarket, don't you think?
But good luck selling a 1.6 THP to the target clientele...
Electric car sales are stagnating or declining. So we have to offer hybrids.
This was to be expected, as there are still too many obstacles to electric cars.
A good 4-cylinder 1.6 is not prohibitive, if it has character.
Yes, it's mission impossible.
That would be a very, very, very bad idea.
@ Fredo: it's true that current Stelvio sales are not bad with GME engines...
It's not certain that the "automobile vroom vroom" still has a great future...
You might as well say that Alfa Romeo should be closed down and everyone fired, because it's the very essence of the brand to offer powerful engines. And I'm one of the few people here who isn't against electric cars, but not under 200 hp. Proof that anything less is complicated is that Alfa stopped offering 130 hp on the Tonale, and for good reason: it didn't make sense. At 130 hp, you might as well get a Renault, which will be just fine.
I don't think Bmw has lost its soul by expanding its ranges and engines.
Today, Bmw sells over 2 million vehicles a year, Audi between 1.6 and 1.8 million units a year, and Mercedes is in the same ballpark.
If you want your favorite brand to endure over time, it's going to have to evolve significantly.
The current Stelvio has an excellent Giorgio chassis! It'll be hard to beat it.
And let's not forget the Stelvio's powertrains, which are sure to thrill the Alfisti.
Quite honestly, Alfa in the hands of Stelantis is a sure death for the Bichonne brand.
What stupidity is in the process of destroying the oldest automobile brands with this stupidity of electricity that brings us nowhere by .Dés années de thécnologies tellement avancé pour là poubelle.
Alfa first switched to diesel and no one was shocked, yet there was plenty of reason to do so. If it means that the Tonale, for example, can be driven by default in dynamic mode - the only mode that's a bit of fun for this model - then it's time for bigger hybridization.
You spend most of your time criticizing everything that comes from the former PSA on this forum.
As if the calamitous results of your favourite brand were the result of the PSA Fca merger.
It was the Fca strategy that brought Alfa to where it is today.
All three models in the current range use Fca-only technology, with the results we're all familiar with.
The market expects coherent products, not ultra-malicious super-sports.
German premiums have been perfectly integrated for at least 20 years, and sales have followed suit.
It's appalling that neither the Guilia nor the Stelvio are available in Phev or Mhev versions after so many years on the market.
As for the Phev mounted on the Tonale, it's a 1.3l engine, much smaller in displacement than the French 1.6.
Curiously, we don't hear the same quips about him.
It's normal, it's more reliable.
Alfa had already lost part of its historical clientele when Fiat engines were transplanted, and now with Us engines or worse, the magnificent 1.2 PSA, it's going to sound the death knell of customers who didn't just buy a car for its looks!
I'm glad to hear that plug-in hybrid versions will be available on models other than the tonale, and I'm just waiting for that to happen so I can buy an Alfa (former owner of a BRERA 2.4 jtdm and a giulietta 1.4 tjet). I'd be interested in a version around 300 HP. Wait and see.
Honestly, it's not such bad news, if you still have the choice of thermals, that's cool. As for the GME, I've got one on my Giulia Veloce. It performs well but isn't as racy as the 1750tbi on my Guiletta QV. I wasn't looking at it personally. Manufacturers have to deal with industrial standards and constraints, so the 1.6 isn't such a bad engine.