2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV to lead Italian brand's new model rollout ahead of EV revolution and GTV sports car

To say that the last decade has been a roller coaster for the Alfa Romeo brand would be a wild understatement.

Last week, Automotive News Europe reported that recently appointed Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato told an Italian dealer’s conference the brand will launch a new model every year to 2026.

This latest model rollout kicks off with the Tonale compact SUV that has been delayed because Mr Imparato reportedly demanded better range and performance from the plug-in hybrid version.
 

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Alfa Romeo hasn’t revealed too much about these models, so we have pulled together what we think the future Alfa line-up will look like. But first, let’s take a look back at the past decade and what has led Alfa to its latest plan.

In 2014, under a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) plan, Alfa was developing eight new models that the company hoped would revitalise the brand by 2018. The Giulia medium sedan and Stelvio medium SUV were part of this plan, as were two new compact cars to replace the Giulietta, another medium passenger car, a large car, another SUV and a sports car.

In 2018, this very expensive plan was ditched in favour of a new five-year roadmap that FCA hoped would help Alfa Romeo achieve 400,000 sales a year on the back of a pair of new sports cars (the reborn 8C and GTV), a replacement for the Giulietta, a small and large SUV to sit either side of the Stelvio, and replacements for the Stelvio and Giulia.

Cut to 2021. The latest change in direction follows the merger, finalised earlier this year, between FCA and Peugeot-Citroen owner PSA Group that created the new Stellantis entity covering 14 brands from both groups.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares announced that each brand will be given 10 years to prove itself and succeed. Given the global success of Jeep and Peugeot, it appears Tavares was putting brands like Fiat, Chrysler, Lancia, DS and Alfa Romeo on notice.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is expected to be replaced in the coming years.

That means Alfa Romeo has a decade to build itself up into a true competitor to the major premium brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

Then in April this year, Imparato confirmed that all future Alfa models would be underpinned by the new Stellantis STLA-large platform. This effectively brings to an early end the multi-billion Euro Giorgio platform that underpins the Giulia and Stelvio as well as the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and forthcoming Maserati Grecale SUV.

There are four STLA platforms – small, medium, large and frame for light commercials – and this architecture will be used to underpin all future electric vehicles from Stellantis brands.

Alfa Romeo will transition to an electric-only brand, at least in Europe, China and North America, from 2027, but what will the iconic brand’s line-up look like between now and 2026?

Following the demise of the 4C, Alfa Romeo could revive the GTV name for a future sports car.

Tonale

Alfa ripped the covers from the Tonale SUV concept at the 2019 Geneva motor show, and the production version is expected in the coming months.

Likely to be based on the same underpinnings as the Jeep Compass, it will compete with the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Jaguar E-Pace, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus UX, Volvo XC40 and Range Rover Evoque.

The delays to the Tonale launch are believed to be a result of Mr Imparato being unsatisfied with the driving range and performance of the plug-in hybrid powertrain, and requesting more work.

A sporty QV version is also a possibility, putting it in the crosshairs of the Audi RS Q3 and Mercedes-AMG GLA45.

Brennero

This model is yet to be announced by Alfa Romeo, but it is believed to be a sub-compact crossover that will sit under the Tonale in the line-up.

Reports suggest it will share underpinnings with the replacement for the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X, but it could also use PSA’s Common Modular Platform that underpins the Peugeot 2008. Either way, it should come with fully electric and internal-combustion powertrains.

Giulia

The Giulia sedan launched globally in 2015, so it’s due for a replacement soon. Even though sedan sales are declining, Alfa is believed to be working on a new version.

Whether it is offered as a petrol, PHEV or pure EV is unclear, but given the success of the spicy Giulia QV, another performance variant should happen.

Stelvio

Based on the Giorgio platform shared with the Giulia, the Stelvio is Alfa Romeo’s top-selling model and is expected to get a new version.

Little is known about its replacement, but some reports suggest it will surface in 2024. Expect similar powertrain options to the Giulia and a boost to on-board tech.

GTV

Alfa Romeo is currently without a sports car since production of the 4C Coupe and Spider ended in 2020. That could be about to change with rumours that Alfa will revive the iconic GTV badge for an all-new model.

While Alfa has not confirmed anything at this stage, Autocar UK quoted Mr Imparato as being “very interested” in the GTV name.

The publication reported that the new model could take the shape of a retro-styled coupe or a four-door coupe like the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Either way, expect fully electric and internal-combustion powertrains.