29-01-2025
Alfa Romeo CEO Hints the Giulia Might Go Crossover for 2026
The future of the Alfa Romeo Giulia is starting to look a whole lot less exciting than its current sports sedan self. According to an exclusive report from French automotive magazine L'argus, the brand's enthusiast favorite model is slated to transition to the crossover segment come its next major update, reportedly set for 2026. Here's everything we know about the shakeup thus far.
The news comes by way of an interview with Alfa Romeo / Maserati CEO Santo Ficili, who took the helm at the automaker back in October 2024. While detailing the brand's upcoming model push through 2030, Ficili made mention of a new Stelvio coming for 2025, and that the Giulia will follow in 2026.
The executive reiterated that both models are slated to be based on the STLA Large multi-energy platform, which currently underpins the newly-electrified Dodge Charger lineup. The platform was designed for cars that are substantially larger than current Alfa offerings, suggesting both models will make a jump in physical presence over the next two years.
Ficili himself suggests that the Giulia will look rather different, stating the Alfa will adopt 'a new design and a new type of bodywork. Its platform will be the same as that of the Stelvio. So you can imagine what kind of vehicle we will offer.' He doesn't come right out and say the next-gen Giulia will be a crossover, but the implication is fairly clear.
Disappointing as it would be for enthusiasts, it might be a smart business decision. The sedan market is small potatoes compared to the ever-growing crossover-and-SUV segments, where Alfa currently does most of its business by way of the Tonale. The brand's compact SUV in the Junior has already garnered strong interest overseas, as well, with some 20,000 orders waiting to be filled. Slotting two more sport-utes into the lineup seems like a marketing challenge — but it's something that has proved quite successful for the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. (Of course, Alfa Romeo is also reportedly planning to release a properly large SUV for 2027, further complicating the lineup)
While the brand has previously suggested that these new models would be all-electric, Stellantis on the whole has softened its stance there recently; Ficili even went as far as to confirm that the brand is actively investigating hybrid powertrains for the Stelvio specifically. Any such powertrain would surely find its way to the Giulia as well, though what that looks like will have to be seen. We also know that the STLA Large platform can support ICE powertrains without any electrification, as we have inline-six-powered Chargers on the way.
While we'd prefer to see Alfa give the sports sedan segment another go, an STLA Large-based offering would compete with different machines. That said, an S-Class-sized car with a hybrid-assisted version of the current Quadrifoglio powertrain could be rather interesting. That said, it sounds like you'd better set yourself for a tall hatchback, instead.
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