Italian automotive manufacturer, Alfa Romeo, has announced plans to venture into a new market segment in the upcoming years, as per the company’s CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato. The automaker is scheduled to launch a “constructed-up model in 2028,” with industry insiders speculating it to be an SUV that will compete with the likes of BMW iX and Mercedes EQE SUV. Furthermore, this move marks Alfa Romeo’s foray into the mainstream market.
The automaker will also introduce a large executive sedan in the latter half of the decade, which Imparato stated, “After 2026, we will go up [in size]. I’m bringing to the market in 2027 an E-segment car [5 Series-like proportions] that’s great for North America [and] that’s great for Europe. We will probably also say, ‘Okay, why not China?’ You know, in a built-up model in 2028.”
Alfa Romeo has plans to switch to electric-powered vehicles in the coming years. The sedan and SUV mentioned by Imperato will be built upon the STLA Large architecture, likely used for the upcoming Stelvio and Giulia replacements that are also expected to be all-electric.
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According to Imparato, the automaker will launch the large sedan first, as “When you look at EV, you look at range, and if you speak about range, you speak about [sedans].” Therefore, a sedan’s aerodynamic design would provide an extended range, making it an ideal introduction into the large and premium electric vehicle market.
Stellantis, Alfa Romeo’s parent company, states that the STLA Large platform can provide up to 500 miles of range on a single charge.
Imparato has previously stated that the upcoming rival to the EQE sedan would feature an 800-volt architecture and produce 350-800 horsepower. We can assume that the electric SUV will share the same drivetrain as its sedan counterpart, albeit with reduced range and performance due to its larger size and weight.
As an Alfa Romeo, it is essential for these new models to be fun to drive. Imparato has promised that the sedan would be “fun.” He stated, “The contribution of the guys on the chassis is key.” Therefore, the larger EV is expected to provide an equally enjoyable driving experience as the sedan.
Regarding design, we can expect the Tonale’s design elements to be adapted to fit the larger models. Alfa Romeo’s CEO added that all designs until 2027 have been finalized, indicating that the SUV’s final exterior design is yet to be approved.
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We can anticipate that the SUV will feature brand-specific elements such as the Trefoil grille, slim Alfa SZ-style headlamps, and an overall sleek design, at least for an SUV. Although the vehicle is larger, we can expect it to be one of the sportiest-looking models in its class.
As for pricing, we expect the Alfa Romeo SUV to be competitively priced and undercut its German rivals slightly to attract traditional luxury buyers. Alfa Romeo also aims to enter the compact hatchback market, previously occupied by the Giulietta, with a new electric Alfetta.
