Echoing his comments from last year, Imparato revealed that the final decision on Alfa Romeo's fifth model line will be made before the end of 2024. However, the CEO admitted that he would prefer a larger SUV over the alternative option of a compact hatchback that revives the spirit of the discontinued Giulietta.
Imparato said: “The question is do we go up in size? And for me the answer is yes: we have to go up. We have everything – the platform, the engines, the software. We can push the limit to the max and I have some design sketches that are very good….If I’m premium and I’m not in the E-segment, then what do I do?”
According to Autocar, the approval of a larger SUV will depend on the progress of electrification in North America, the potential of the Asian market and the sales volume of competing offerings in Europe. Such a model would be classified as a large (E-segment) in Europe and a premium midsize offering in North America.
The new model will most likely be based on the Stellantis STLA Large architecture. This could be the basis for a high-performance, fast-charging electric SUV. At the same time, the Alfa Romeo styling and chassis setup could help it stand out in a competitive segment where Stellantis is currently only represented by the Jeep and Maserati brands.
Imparato went a step further, saying that the model for 2027 is already "finished" and describing the exterior design as "striking". What we do know for sure, based on previous comments by design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, is that all new Alfa Romeo vehicles will feature centrally mounted front license plates and a new style for the iconic Scudetto grille. The latter will be largely blocked, with 3D graphics similar to the all-electric Junior crossover.
Source: Autocar