Alfa Romeo Stelvio EV delayed to accommodate hybrid
The same source said it will take some time for the hybrid version to be developed, despite the new Stelvio being based on Stellantis' multi-powertrain STLA Large platform, and confirmed the planned 2026 launch of the next-generation Giulia sedan is so far unaffected by the Stelvio's delay.
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Herald Sun
a day ago
- Herald Sun
Ram to bring V8 engines back to utes
'Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine', Elvis Presley once said, perfectly encapsulating the bent-eight's enduring appeal both in the US and Australia, so you don't need much of an imagination to figure out what happened when Ram dropped it from its iconic full-size 1500 ute. Sales slumped, profits plummeted, shares fell, dealers revolted, and unions waged war over shutdowns and enforced lay-offs that eventually triggered the Stellantis group's own chief executive to fall on his sword. MORE: US dealers lash out over falling Jeep, Ram sales V8 power makes the RAM TRX an incredibly desirable ute. Picture: Thomas Wielecki In reality, it's dubious the King ever said the original V8 quote and it would be stretching the truth to say dumping the V8 was the root of either Ram's or Stellantis' crippling issues but when an available scapegoat is on hand, who wouldn't want to grab it with both hands and bask in the warm fuzzy glow of giving diehard enthusiasts with the loudest voices exactly what they want? 'Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle it defines you', said Ram chief executive Tim Kuniskis. 'Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi – we own it and we fixed it.' MORE: Driving the six-cylinder Ram 1500 RAM finished production of Hemi-powered V8 utes in 2024. Picture: Supplied Dragged back from retirement to save Ram, the former chief executive only returned last December and was well aware of the PR mileage in saving the American Dream. Reviving the V8 wasn't as easy as you'd think. The recently updated Ram 1500 ute had been reengineered for Stellantis next-generation Atlantis High electric architecture that had never been developed to work with the ageing V8. Engineers estimated dropping the V8 back in the big ute would take up to 18 months, but Kuniskis' assembled team achieved it in just six. MORE: End of an era for V8 icon A new six-cylinder engine in the Ram 1500 has plenty of power. Picture: Supplied Helping save face, the official party line is the V8 isn't a replacement for the all-new Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder, just merely a tool to broaden choice within the line-up. Not that any old 5.7-litre Hemi was chosen for the Ram 1500, with the most sophisticated mild-hybrid eTorque Hemi picked from the Jeep Wagoneer that delivers 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque, with the latter boosted by a short burst of 176Nm when needed for overtakes and smooth engine shut off when not. MORE: Electrified 'Ramcharger' revealed The V8's belt-driven alternator and 48-volt battery also help smooth cylinder deactivation and offers near seamless stop-start in traffic. Sounds good if you conveniently ignore the far more efficient inline-six's maximum 403kW and 707Nm peak torque but one thing the trick Hurricane engine can never match is the beloved V8 burble and the new Hemi-powered 1500s now come with a standard sports exhaust to maximise that advantage. In the US the V8 is also a surprisingly affordable $US1200 ($A1850) option on most standard-output inline-six Ram 1500s, while a no-cost extra on the high-grade Limited and Longhorn variants but it's not available on the flagship RHO. There's no word yet on what's happened to the 523kW supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that powered the 1500 TRX but with most of the work already done a reboot could be on the cards. Other than its thumping soundtrack, identifying a V8-powered Ram 1500 isn't easy but there are new 'Symbol of Protest' badges on the front fenders that fuses a demonic ram's head on a V8 engine block. MORE: Driving the Ram TRX at Black Rock Former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stepped down after revolt from Jeep and Ram dealers. Photo: AFP With clear demand for the V8 Down Under, you might expect the local Ram outfit would be screaming out for the bent-eight's return but with Australia's own emission standards, adopted at the beginning of this year, the chances of V8 renaissance under the 1500 bonnet has narrowed. There's also the small matter of the lengthy estimated 12-18 months it will take for the V8 to be reengineered for a right-hand drive conversion. With predicted 2027 arrival it's no wonder Ram Australia hasn't been quick to carefully manage expectations for the 1500 V8 Down Under. The new Ram 1500 has 'Hurricane' six-cylinder power. Picture: Supplied 'The return of the Hemi V8 is a decision that has been made for the US market. As it stands today, there is no guarantee the Hemi V8 will return to Australian showrooms. 'However, customers have also embraced the new Hurricane twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder engine'. 'With more power and torque – and better efficiency – than the previous 5.7-litre Hemi V8, we believe the new Hurricane engine series will, over time, become iconic in its own right.' Even without the V8 revival kicking in, with an industry veteran behind the wheel Ram retail sales have already crept up by 16 per cent in the first quarter of this year, with analysts predicting a whopping 40 per cent bump in Q2 alone. Throw in EVs that arrive in 2027 and the range-extender Ramcharger that lands later his year, plus rumours of new mid-size utes to fight the Ranger and the future is brighter but not yet assured for the US brand. While everyone warmly greets the return of the V8, the real work continues behind the scenes to tackle poor quality and worse reliability, while somehow find the cash needed to build a future line-up of truly desirable utes worthy of the King, with or without a V8. Originally published as Ram to bring V8 engines back to utes
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Ram to bring V8 engines back to utes
'Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine', Elvis Presley once said, perfectly encapsulating the bent-eight's enduring appeal both in the US and Australia, so you don't need much of an imagination to figure out what happened when Ram dropped it from its iconic full-size 1500 ute. Sales slumped, profits plummeted, shares fell, dealers revolted, and unions waged war over shutdowns and enforced lay-offs that eventually triggered the Stellantis group's own chief executive to fall on his sword. In reality, it's dubious the King ever said the original V8 quote and it would be stretching the truth to say dumping the V8 was the root of either Ram's or Stellantis' crippling issues but when an available scapegoat is on hand, who wouldn't want to grab it with both hands and bask in the warm fuzzy glow of giving diehard enthusiasts with the loudest voices exactly what they want? 'Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle it defines you', said Ram chief executive Tim Kuniskis. 'Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi – we own it and we fixed it.' Dragged back from retirement to save Ram, the former chief executive only returned last December and was well aware of the PR mileage in saving the American Dream. Reviving the V8 wasn't as easy as you'd think. The recently updated Ram 1500 ute had been reengineered for Stellantis next-generation Atlantis High electric architecture that had never been developed to work with the ageing V8. Engineers estimated dropping the V8 back in the big ute would take up to 18 months, but Kuniskis' assembled team achieved it in just six. Helping save face, the official party line is the V8 isn't a replacement for the all-new Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder, just merely a tool to broaden choice within the line-up. Not that any old 5.7-litre Hemi was chosen for the Ram 1500, with the most sophisticated mild-hybrid eTorque Hemi picked from the Jeep Wagoneer that delivers 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque, with the latter boosted by a short burst of 176Nm when needed for overtakes and smooth engine shut off when not. The V8's belt-driven alternator and 48-volt battery also help smooth cylinder deactivation and offers near seamless stop-start in traffic. Sounds good if you conveniently ignore the far more efficient inline-six's maximum 403kW and 707Nm peak torque but one thing the trick Hurricane engine can never match is the beloved V8 burble and the new Hemi-powered 1500s now come with a standard sports exhaust to maximise that advantage. In the US the V8 is also a surprisingly affordable $US1200 ($A1850) option on most standard-output inline-six Ram 1500s, while a no-cost extra on the high-grade Limited and Longhorn variants but it's not available on the flagship RHO. People thought it was dead, but legends never die. Reintroducing the engine design that started it allâ€'the HEMI® V8. Learn more here ðŸ'— — Ram Trucks (@RamTrucks) June 5, 2025 There's no word yet on what's happened to the 523kW supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that powered the 1500 TRX but with most of the work already done a reboot could be on the cards. Other than its thumping soundtrack, identifying a V8-powered Ram 1500 isn't easy but there are new 'Symbol of Protest' badges on the front fenders that fuses a demonic ram's head on a V8 engine block. With clear demand for the V8 Down Under, you might expect the local Ram outfit would be screaming out for the bent-eight's return but with Australia's own emission standards, adopted at the beginning of this year, the chances of V8 renaissance under the 1500 bonnet has narrowed. There's also the small matter of the lengthy estimated 12-18 months it will take for the V8 to be reengineered for a right-hand drive conversion. With predicted 2027 arrival it's no wonder Ram Australia hasn't been quick to carefully manage expectations for the 1500 V8 Down Under. 'The return of the Hemi V8 is a decision that has been made for the US market. As it stands today, there is no guarantee the Hemi V8 will return to Australian showrooms. 'However, customers have also embraced the new Hurricane twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder engine'. 'With more power and torque – and better efficiency – than the previous 5.7-litre Hemi V8, we believe the new Hurricane engine series will, over time, become iconic in its own right.' Even without the V8 revival kicking in, with an industry veteran behind the wheel Ram retail sales have already crept up by 16 per cent in the first quarter of this year, with analysts predicting a whopping 40 per cent bump in Q2 alone. Throw in EVs that arrive in 2027 and the range-extender Ramcharger that lands later his year, plus rumours of new mid-size utes to fight the Ranger and the future is brighter but not yet assured for the US brand. While everyone warmly greets the return of the V8, the real work continues behind the scenes to tackle poor quality and worse reliability, while somehow find the cash needed to build a future line-up of truly desirable utes worthy of the King, with or without a V8.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Alfa Romeo Stelvio EV delayed to accommodate hybrid
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio may take an extended hiatus in Australia once stock of the existing model is exhausted, given the launch of the next-generation mid-size luxury SUV will reportedly be delayed until late 2026 in Europe. Such a delay would mean the second-generation SUV would be unlikely to arrive here until 2027. Reuters has cited sources saying first European deliveries of the new Stelvio will now not take place until September or October 2026, following the slowdown of electric vehicle (EV) demand globally. The next Stelvio was previously due to make its world debut in Italy later this year, ahead of first European deliveries in the first quarter of 2026. It was set to be offered exclusively with electric power, as part of a previously stated goal of Alfa Romeo's to switch to an EV-only lineup by 2027. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. However, the Italian brand cancelled its plans to become an EV-only brand in January. According to a March report, last month it was set to end production of all-petrol powered versions of both the current Stelvio and its Giulia sedan sister model, including the Quadrifoglio V6 flagships. The report said production will continue for diesel-powered Stelvio and Giulia variants, which haven't been sold in Australia for several years. According to a second Reuters source, Alfa Romeo is now developing a hybrid version of the next Stelvio, which was revealed in leaked images in April. The same source said it will take some time for the hybrid version to be developed, despite the new Stelvio being based on Stellantis' multi-powertrain STLA Large platform, and confirmed the planned 2026 launch of the next-generation Giulia sedan is so far unaffected by the Stelvio's delay. According to Reuters, the rescheduled Stelvio launch could initially slow Alfa Romeo's wider plan to revive production and jobs in Italy, which Stellantis presented to the Italian government late last year. Earlier last month, Stellantis' European operations chief said the company was working on an update of the plan. And just last week, Stellantis' North American boss Antonio Filosa was appointed as its new global CEO. A Stellantis spokesperson told Reuters the group's revised plan for Italy "includes an expansion and reshaping of activities in the country, in light of current market conditions, uncertainties surrounding EU regulations, and the impact of tariffs". Alfa Romeo sold just 62,000 vehicles globally in 2024 – well down from the Turin-based automaker's target of 80,000-90,000 sales – including 8865 in the US, which accounts for about 15 per cent of its sales, and just 561 sales in Australia. Last year Alfa Romeo sold just 190 examples of the Giulia in Australia (up 3.3 per cent on 2023), along with 125 Stelvios (down 25 per cent), and their axing would leave the fabled Italian auto brand with only the Tonale small SUV and the upcoming Junior light SUV. The Tonale is a petrol and plug-in hybrid model and while the Junior will be Alfa's first EV, it's expected to be launched here with mild-hybrid power. Based on the same STLA Small (eCMP2) platform as the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 (not sold here), the Junior was planned to be Alfa's final combustion-powered model. At this stage it's unclear which petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains the next-gen Stelvio and Giulia will be available with, but both models will be based on the STLA Large platform featuring an 800V electrical architecture, 'STLA Brain' software system, and STLA SmartCockpit user interface. The new Stelvio will be the first STLA Large-based vehicle to be produced and sold in Europe and, like their predecessors, both the next-generation Stelvio and Giulia will be built at the same Cassino factory halfway between Rome and Naples. No details have been announced about their electric powertrains, but Stellantis has previously confirmed the STLA Large architecture can house batteries with capacities between 85 and 118kWh, and support both single-motor rear-wheel drive and multi-motor all-wheel drive configurations. The first production vehicle based on the STLA Large architecture, the Dodge Charger Daytona, is already available in the US with a number of all-electric drivetrains, including the top-shelf 500kW/850Nm Scat Pack. This has a claimed 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 3.3 seconds, despite incorporating only a 400V electrical architecture, weighing almost 2650kg and measuring 5.25m long. However, the American muscle car will soon also become available in North America with the Hurricane 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine from the 2025 Ram 1500, which produces over 400kW in high-output form. It's unclear if this engine could make its way to the next Giulia and Stelvio. The current Giulia was launched in 2015, followed by the closely related Stelvio in 2016, and both models are currently available with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputting 206kW of power and 400Nm of torque in Ti and Veloce form. The range-topping Quadrifoglio versions pack a 375kW/600 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which propels the BMW M3-rivalling rear-drive sedan to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds and the all-wheel drive SUV to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds. Ti, Veloce and Quadrifoglio versions of both models continue to be available in Australia, where a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is no longer available despite continuing in Europe. When reports of petrol Stelvio and Giulia production ending in May emerged in March, an Alfa Romeo Australia spokesperson told CarExpert it was "business as usual" for both mid-size models locally. At the time, the company said it continued to order both Giulia sedans and Stelvio SUVs ex-factory until further notice, and had enough dealer stock available for the rest of this year. Today, Alfa Romeo Australia said Stelvio production is ongoing, and the model is currently being offered with price cuts of more than $10,000 as part of an end-of-financial-year promotion. Following the local launch of facelifted mainstream variants in May 2023 and upgraded Quadrifoglios in December 2023, a series of special-edition versions of both models were released last year, including the Tributo Italiano in February, the Super Sport in May, and the Edizione Carbonio in November. MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Stelvio Content originally sourced from: The Alfa Romeo Stelvio may take an extended hiatus in Australia once stock of the existing model is exhausted, given the launch of the next-generation mid-size luxury SUV will reportedly be delayed until late 2026 in Europe. Such a delay would mean the second-generation SUV would be unlikely to arrive here until 2027. Reuters has cited sources saying first European deliveries of the new Stelvio will now not take place until September or October 2026, following the slowdown of electric vehicle (EV) demand globally. The next Stelvio was previously due to make its world debut in Italy later this year, ahead of first European deliveries in the first quarter of 2026. It was set to be offered exclusively with electric power, as part of a previously stated goal of Alfa Romeo's to switch to an EV-only lineup by 2027. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. However, the Italian brand cancelled its plans to become an EV-only brand in January. According to a March report, last month it was set to end production of all-petrol powered versions of both the current Stelvio and its Giulia sedan sister model, including the Quadrifoglio V6 flagships. The report said production will continue for diesel-powered Stelvio and Giulia variants, which haven't been sold in Australia for several years. According to a second Reuters source, Alfa Romeo is now developing a hybrid version of the next Stelvio, which was revealed in leaked images in April. The same source said it will take some time for the hybrid version to be developed, despite the new Stelvio being based on Stellantis' multi-powertrain STLA Large platform, and confirmed the planned 2026 launch of the next-generation Giulia sedan is so far unaffected by the Stelvio's delay. According to Reuters, the rescheduled Stelvio launch could initially slow Alfa Romeo's wider plan to revive production and jobs in Italy, which Stellantis presented to the Italian government late last year. Earlier last month, Stellantis' European operations chief said the company was working on an update of the plan. And just last week, Stellantis' North American boss Antonio Filosa was appointed as its new global CEO. A Stellantis spokesperson told Reuters the group's revised plan for Italy "includes an expansion and reshaping of activities in the country, in light of current market conditions, uncertainties surrounding EU regulations, and the impact of tariffs". Alfa Romeo sold just 62,000 vehicles globally in 2024 – well down from the Turin-based automaker's target of 80,000-90,000 sales – including 8865 in the US, which accounts for about 15 per cent of its sales, and just 561 sales in Australia. Last year Alfa Romeo sold just 190 examples of the Giulia in Australia (up 3.3 per cent on 2023), along with 125 Stelvios (down 25 per cent), and their axing would leave the fabled Italian auto brand with only the Tonale small SUV and the upcoming Junior light SUV. The Tonale is a petrol and plug-in hybrid model and while the Junior will be Alfa's first EV, it's expected to be launched here with mild-hybrid power. Based on the same STLA Small (eCMP2) platform as the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 (not sold here), the Junior was planned to be Alfa's final combustion-powered model. At this stage it's unclear which petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains the next-gen Stelvio and Giulia will be available with, but both models will be based on the STLA Large platform featuring an 800V electrical architecture, 'STLA Brain' software system, and STLA SmartCockpit user interface. The new Stelvio will be the first STLA Large-based vehicle to be produced and sold in Europe and, like their predecessors, both the next-generation Stelvio and Giulia will be built at the same Cassino factory halfway between Rome and Naples. No details have been announced about their electric powertrains, but Stellantis has previously confirmed the STLA Large architecture can house batteries with capacities between 85 and 118kWh, and support both single-motor rear-wheel drive and multi-motor all-wheel drive configurations. The first production vehicle based on the STLA Large architecture, the Dodge Charger Daytona, is already available in the US with a number of all-electric drivetrains, including the top-shelf 500kW/850Nm Scat Pack. This has a claimed 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 3.3 seconds, despite incorporating only a 400V electrical architecture, weighing almost 2650kg and measuring 5.25m long. However, the American muscle car will soon also become available in North America with the Hurricane 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine from the 2025 Ram 1500, which produces over 400kW in high-output form. It's unclear if this engine could make its way to the next Giulia and Stelvio. The current Giulia was launched in 2015, followed by the closely related Stelvio in 2016, and both models are currently available with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputting 206kW of power and 400Nm of torque in Ti and Veloce form. The range-topping Quadrifoglio versions pack a 375kW/600 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which propels the BMW M3-rivalling rear-drive sedan to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds and the all-wheel drive SUV to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds. Ti, Veloce and Quadrifoglio versions of both models continue to be available in Australia, where a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is no longer available despite continuing in Europe. When reports of petrol Stelvio and Giulia production ending in May emerged in March, an Alfa Romeo Australia spokesperson told CarExpert it was "business as usual" for both mid-size models locally. At the time, the company said it continued to order both Giulia sedans and Stelvio SUVs ex-factory until further notice, and had enough dealer stock available for the rest of this year. Today, Alfa Romeo Australia said Stelvio production is ongoing, and the model is currently being offered with price cuts of more than $10,000 as part of an end-of-financial-year promotion. Following the local launch of facelifted mainstream variants in May 2023 and upgraded Quadrifoglios in December 2023, a series of special-edition versions of both models were released last year, including the Tributo Italiano in February, the Super Sport in May, and the Edizione Carbonio in November. MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Stelvio Content originally sourced from: The Alfa Romeo Stelvio may take an extended hiatus in Australia once stock of the existing model is exhausted, given the launch of the next-generation mid-size luxury SUV will reportedly be delayed until late 2026 in Europe. Such a delay would mean the second-generation SUV would be unlikely to arrive here until 2027. Reuters has cited sources saying first European deliveries of the new Stelvio will now not take place until September or October 2026, following the slowdown of electric vehicle (EV) demand globally. The next Stelvio was previously due to make its world debut in Italy later this year, ahead of first European deliveries in the first quarter of 2026. It was set to be offered exclusively with electric power, as part of a previously stated goal of Alfa Romeo's to switch to an EV-only lineup by 2027. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. However, the Italian brand cancelled its plans to become an EV-only brand in January. According to a March report, last month it was set to end production of all-petrol powered versions of both the current Stelvio and its Giulia sedan sister model, including the Quadrifoglio V6 flagships. The report said production will continue for diesel-powered Stelvio and Giulia variants, which haven't been sold in Australia for several years. According to a second Reuters source, Alfa Romeo is now developing a hybrid version of the next Stelvio, which was revealed in leaked images in April. The same source said it will take some time for the hybrid version to be developed, despite the new Stelvio being based on Stellantis' multi-powertrain STLA Large platform, and confirmed the planned 2026 launch of the next-generation Giulia sedan is so far unaffected by the Stelvio's delay. According to Reuters, the rescheduled Stelvio launch could initially slow Alfa Romeo's wider plan to revive production and jobs in Italy, which Stellantis presented to the Italian government late last year. Earlier last month, Stellantis' European operations chief said the company was working on an update of the plan. And just last week, Stellantis' North American boss Antonio Filosa was appointed as its new global CEO. A Stellantis spokesperson told Reuters the group's revised plan for Italy "includes an expansion and reshaping of activities in the country, in light of current market conditions, uncertainties surrounding EU regulations, and the impact of tariffs". Alfa Romeo sold just 62,000 vehicles globally in 2024 – well down from the Turin-based automaker's target of 80,000-90,000 sales – including 8865 in the US, which accounts for about 15 per cent of its sales, and just 561 sales in Australia. Last year Alfa Romeo sold just 190 examples of the Giulia in Australia (up 3.3 per cent on 2023), along with 125 Stelvios (down 25 per cent), and their axing would leave the fabled Italian auto brand with only the Tonale small SUV and the upcoming Junior light SUV. The Tonale is a petrol and plug-in hybrid model and while the Junior will be Alfa's first EV, it's expected to be launched here with mild-hybrid power. Based on the same STLA Small (eCMP2) platform as the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 (not sold here), the Junior was planned to be Alfa's final combustion-powered model. At this stage it's unclear which petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains the next-gen Stelvio and Giulia will be available with, but both models will be based on the STLA Large platform featuring an 800V electrical architecture, 'STLA Brain' software system, and STLA SmartCockpit user interface. The new Stelvio will be the first STLA Large-based vehicle to be produced and sold in Europe and, like their predecessors, both the next-generation Stelvio and Giulia will be built at the same Cassino factory halfway between Rome and Naples. No details have been announced about their electric powertrains, but Stellantis has previously confirmed the STLA Large architecture can house batteries with capacities between 85 and 118kWh, and support both single-motor rear-wheel drive and multi-motor all-wheel drive configurations. The first production vehicle based on the STLA Large architecture, the Dodge Charger Daytona, is already available in the US with a number of all-electric drivetrains, including the top-shelf 500kW/850Nm Scat Pack. This has a claimed 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 3.3 seconds, despite incorporating only a 400V electrical architecture, weighing almost 2650kg and measuring 5.25m long. However, the American muscle car will soon also become available in North America with the Hurricane 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine from the 2025 Ram 1500, which produces over 400kW in high-output form. It's unclear if this engine could make its way to the next Giulia and Stelvio. The current Giulia was launched in 2015, followed by the closely related Stelvio in 2016, and both models are currently available with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputting 206kW of power and 400Nm of torque in Ti and Veloce form. The range-topping Quadrifoglio versions pack a 375kW/600 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which propels the BMW M3-rivalling rear-drive sedan to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds and the all-wheel drive SUV to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds. Ti, Veloce and Quadrifoglio versions of both models continue to be available in Australia, where a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is no longer available despite continuing in Europe. When reports of petrol Stelvio and Giulia production ending in May emerged in March, an Alfa Romeo Australia spokesperson told CarExpert it was "business as usual" for both mid-size models locally. At the time, the company said it continued to order both Giulia sedans and Stelvio SUVs ex-factory until further notice, and had enough dealer stock available for the rest of this year. Today, Alfa Romeo Australia said Stelvio production is ongoing, and the model is currently being offered with price cuts of more than $10,000 as part of an end-of-financial-year promotion. Following the local launch of facelifted mainstream variants in May 2023 and upgraded Quadrifoglios in December 2023, a series of special-edition versions of both models were released last year, including the Tributo Italiano in February, the Super Sport in May, and the Edizione Carbonio in November. MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Stelvio Content originally sourced from: The Alfa Romeo Stelvio may take an extended hiatus in Australia once stock of the existing model is exhausted, given the launch of the next-generation mid-size luxury SUV will reportedly be delayed until late 2026 in Europe. Such a delay would mean the second-generation SUV would be unlikely to arrive here until 2027. Reuters has cited sources saying first European deliveries of the new Stelvio will now not take place until September or October 2026, following the slowdown of electric vehicle (EV) demand globally. The next Stelvio was previously due to make its world debut in Italy later this year, ahead of first European deliveries in the first quarter of 2026. It was set to be offered exclusively with electric power, as part of a previously stated goal of Alfa Romeo's to switch to an EV-only lineup by 2027. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. However, the Italian brand cancelled its plans to become an EV-only brand in January. According to a March report, last month it was set to end production of all-petrol powered versions of both the current Stelvio and its Giulia sedan sister model, including the Quadrifoglio V6 flagships. The report said production will continue for diesel-powered Stelvio and Giulia variants, which haven't been sold in Australia for several years. According to a second Reuters source, Alfa Romeo is now developing a hybrid version of the next Stelvio, which was revealed in leaked images in April. The same source said it will take some time for the hybrid version to be developed, despite the new Stelvio being based on Stellantis' multi-powertrain STLA Large platform, and confirmed the planned 2026 launch of the next-generation Giulia sedan is so far unaffected by the Stelvio's delay. According to Reuters, the rescheduled Stelvio launch could initially slow Alfa Romeo's wider plan to revive production and jobs in Italy, which Stellantis presented to the Italian government late last year. Earlier last month, Stellantis' European operations chief said the company was working on an update of the plan. And just last week, Stellantis' North American boss Antonio Filosa was appointed as its new global CEO. A Stellantis spokesperson told Reuters the group's revised plan for Italy "includes an expansion and reshaping of activities in the country, in light of current market conditions, uncertainties surrounding EU regulations, and the impact of tariffs". Alfa Romeo sold just 62,000 vehicles globally in 2024 – well down from the Turin-based automaker's target of 80,000-90,000 sales – including 8865 in the US, which accounts for about 15 per cent of its sales, and just 561 sales in Australia. Last year Alfa Romeo sold just 190 examples of the Giulia in Australia (up 3.3 per cent on 2023), along with 125 Stelvios (down 25 per cent), and their axing would leave the fabled Italian auto brand with only the Tonale small SUV and the upcoming Junior light SUV. The Tonale is a petrol and plug-in hybrid model and while the Junior will be Alfa's first EV, it's expected to be launched here with mild-hybrid power. Based on the same STLA Small (eCMP2) platform as the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 (not sold here), the Junior was planned to be Alfa's final combustion-powered model. At this stage it's unclear which petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains the next-gen Stelvio and Giulia will be available with, but both models will be based on the STLA Large platform featuring an 800V electrical architecture, 'STLA Brain' software system, and STLA SmartCockpit user interface. The new Stelvio will be the first STLA Large-based vehicle to be produced and sold in Europe and, like their predecessors, both the next-generation Stelvio and Giulia will be built at the same Cassino factory halfway between Rome and Naples. No details have been announced about their electric powertrains, but Stellantis has previously confirmed the STLA Large architecture can house batteries with capacities between 85 and 118kWh, and support both single-motor rear-wheel drive and multi-motor all-wheel drive configurations. The first production vehicle based on the STLA Large architecture, the Dodge Charger Daytona, is already available in the US with a number of all-electric drivetrains, including the top-shelf 500kW/850Nm Scat Pack. This has a claimed 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 3.3 seconds, despite incorporating only a 400V electrical architecture, weighing almost 2650kg and measuring 5.25m long. However, the American muscle car will soon also become available in North America with the Hurricane 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine from the 2025 Ram 1500, which produces over 400kW in high-output form. It's unclear if this engine could make its way to the next Giulia and Stelvio. The current Giulia was launched in 2015, followed by the closely related Stelvio in 2016, and both models are currently available with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputting 206kW of power and 400Nm of torque in Ti and Veloce form. The range-topping Quadrifoglio versions pack a 375kW/600 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which propels the BMW M3-rivalling rear-drive sedan to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds and the all-wheel drive SUV to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds. Ti, Veloce and Quadrifoglio versions of both models continue to be available in Australia, where a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is no longer available despite continuing in Europe. When reports of petrol Stelvio and Giulia production ending in May emerged in March, an Alfa Romeo Australia spokesperson told CarExpert it was "business as usual" for both mid-size models locally. At the time, the company said it continued to order both Giulia sedans and Stelvio SUVs ex-factory until further notice, and had enough dealer stock available for the rest of this year. Today, Alfa Romeo Australia said Stelvio production is ongoing, and the model is currently being offered with price cuts of more than $10,000 as part of an end-of-financial-year promotion. Following the local launch of facelifted mainstream variants in May 2023 and upgraded Quadrifoglios in December 2023, a series of special-edition versions of both models were released last year, including the Tributo Italiano in February, the Super Sport in May, and the Edizione Carbonio in November. MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Stelvio Content originally sourced from:
