Alfa Romeo Working on Full Size SUV With 400 HP Hybrid Powertrain
Alfa Romeo is working on a new full-size SUV with a 400 hp hybrid powertrain, according to a new report.
“The Stelvio for sure is an example of Alfa DNA, why don’t we translate that in a car which is a little big bigger?” Fedeli said. “We have to marry the new car with the right level of electrification. Plug-in hybrid could be a problem for the Alfa DNA point of view, but for instance a 48-volt mild hybrid solution is something that we can do without losing anything.”
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“I’m quite happy about the result we have obtained coupling a four-cylinder with the 48-volt e-turbo – I think next time we can also use it in production,” he added. “With a 2.0-litre turbo engine you can achieve around 350 to 400bhp. We are driving on a simulator a car like that, we are working on it, and the result is not so bad.”
Alfa Romeo is apparently pursuing a large SUV over products like a mid- or full-size sedan or a next-generation Giulietta due to the larger profit margins of such a vehicle and its broader global appeal. The SUV would be able to seat up to seven passengers, making it viable for large families.
The large Alfa SUV is apparently still about two years out, so we won’t see it until 2020 at the earliest.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
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I have so many conflicting feelings with this. Sadly, most carmakers need to have the obligatory SUV. FCV has already been using a PHEV platform with the Pacifica with good results. As far as DNA being muddled with a PHEV, apparently FCV still has a hard time wrapping their heads around that. I don't see it that way. I love my Alfa Romeos and would welcome a PHEV with performance in mind. Sometimes I just want to drive peacefully and electricity is perfect for that. In fact, anyone who has driven a Tesla Roadster can attest to that. Drive peacefully then pound on an open spot in the next lane. I often wished the 4C could have been converted to electricity. It's the right size and shape for Alfa to dabble into the electrification of its vehicles, if it should happen to come. An electric motor is very close to the original DNA of Alfa Romeo. A PHEV would mean the car could be driven aggressively and still not consume too much gasoline. I guess Marchionne is still reluctant when it comes to electric motors but FCV has to use them if they want to meet emissions standards. In the meantime, I like IPAs and lager, French cheese and Dutch cheese. I like red wine and white. These companies need to get over their hangups, surround themselves with car guys and start surprising us again with stellar engineering instead of stale business models.
a suv? i do actually have one now, the first ever. it is a jeep..that is what an suv should be. AR should be a sport car. what ever happened to the tribute to the spider, concept . would that be cool?