The future SUV Alfa Romeo will soon reach another important milestone. While the project, known internally as A4U, remains largely under wraps, a Supplier Convention An event dedicated to the new «C-UV» is scheduled for September 29, 2026, at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese. This event demonstrates, above all, that the replacement for the Tonale is gradually entering a much more concrete phase of its development.
In the illustration on the invitation sent to suppliers, a massive SUV is concealed beneath a red drape. However, it’s impossible to draw any conclusions about its design: this silhouette appears to be nothing more than a creation designed for the event’s promotional materials.
The future Tonale is starting to take shape
This event on September 29 will be primarily aimed at suppliers who will be involved in the vehicle’s production. Therefore, don’t expect a public unveiling, much less a reveal of the final car. However, Alfa Romeo could use the event to show its partners a vehicle, a model, or technical components that are much more advanced than what we currently know.
The timeline is consistent with a launch that is still some time away. The new Alfa Romeo C-SUV is expected in the fourth quarter of 2027, while the current Tonale is expected to be discontinued in November of that same year.
Production is scheduled to take place in Melfi on the STLA Medium platform, which it will share with the Peugeot 3008, Lancia Gamma, and DS No. 7, among others. But according to our latest information, Alfa Romeo has apparently sought to differentiate this model quite clearly from its cousins. This Alfa Romeo could therefore feature a significantly different design and proportions despite sharing a common technical platform.
An Alfa Romeo Designed with the U.S. in Mind, Too?
Another factor could explain certain technical and stylistic choices: the project is reportedly taking internationalization constraints into account, with the possibility of exporting this SUV to the United States. It could thus become one of the first vehicles on the STLA Medium platform truly designed to also meet the requirements of the U.S. market.
This ambition would also help explain the model’s expected growth. While the Tonale measures 4.53 m, its successor could exceed 4.60 m, with a more family-oriented and likely higher-end positioning. It would effectively replace both the Tonale and the Stelvio.
Electric and full hybrid?
Details about the powertrain are also becoming clearer. Contrary to what one might have imagined just a few years ago, this future SUV will not be exclusively electric. The STLA Medium platform will allow Alfa Romeo to offer a multi-energy lineup with several levels of electrification.
As we mentioned recently, an electric Veloce version with approximately 375 ch seems particularly plausible. That’s exactly the power output expected for the upcoming Lancia Gamma HF Integrale.
But the biggest innovations could come from hybrid models. More powerful PHEVs—particularly those with all-wheel drive—are expected in the STLA Medium family. Most importantly, the future Alfa Romeo could be the first model to feature a new 1.6-liter full-hybrid powertrain—a particularly interesting option for markets where the all-electric 100 % is gaining traction more slowly.
It remains to be seen what Alfa Romeo will actually show its suppliers on September 29. For the public, the secret is likely to remain well-kept for now, but in Arese, the future replacement for the Tonale is clearly getting ready to step out of the shadows a little more. It’s very likely that we’ll have new information after that date.
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The 375h HP Electric Veloce, priced at around 70,000–75,000 euros and weighing about 2.2 metric tons, will be an instant sales flop.
Really? STLA M cars are heavier and have less efficient interior layout than models based on the Small Wide platform. Not to mention that the current-generation Tonale has non-plug-in 4-cylinder engines, which future models won’t have—and the same goes for the independent rear suspension. At best, future models are a step to the side, not a step backward.
So first the DS8 flopped, and now the Lancia Gamma is following in its footsteps. They’ve really got it all figured out over at Stellantis—they’re determined to sell expensive stuff to customers who don’t even exist!!
Only the DS7 will fare somewhat better by drawing on its existing customer base. But honestly, buying a DS7 with the improved PureTOC is still pretty pathetic. .