Alfa Romeo’s hot Quadrifoglio models are synonymous with petrol power, something the Italian brand is wary to turn away from in the next-generation vehicles.
Now, an Alfa Romeo executive has effectively ruled out an electric Quadrifoglio model – at least for now.
The next Giulia and Stelvio were both planned to be exclusively battery-electric vehicles, but earlier this year Alfa Romeo backflipped on its plan to become an EV-only brand by 2027 following backlash from its US dealers.
Both vehicles are currently offered in high-performance Quadrifoglio guise, with the twin-turbo V6 versions being the Italian marque’s equivalent of the BMW M3 and BMW X3 M.
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While the potential move to an electric-only lineup threatened the existence of flagship Alfa Romeo performance models, the brand’s marketing and communication boss has said there’s no chance the Quadrifoglio name will be used on an EV – at least in the near future.
“Everyone expresses the fact that they want an Alfa Romeo with a Quadrifoglio,” Cristiano Fiorio, head of Alfa Romeo global marketing and communications, told the UK’s Car magazine.
“This is pretty clear […] because Quadrifoglio is the pinnacle of the brand – and we will continue to have Quadrifoglio forever. That’s a no brainer.
“Personally, I do not see a Quadrifoglio EV. I see a Quadrifoglio which has the sound of a real engine. As of now. Maybe in five years things will change. But as of now, the Quadrifoglio to me – to us – should be something with a roar.
“That is something that is expressed by fans – by customers – because the penetration of Quadrifoglio in many markets is very interesting. So, we will have to continue to give to clients what they want.”
While Europe’s ever-tightening emissions regulations are threatening the future of high-performance engines – such as the 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 under the bonnet of the Quadrifoglio models – Mr Fiorio hinted at six-cylinder power remaining for future versions.
“If I tell you yes or no, I am telling you exactly which engine we’ll have in Giulia and Stelvio – but I tell you that you said something that is not far from our thoughts,” Mr Fiorio said when asked whether the 2.9-litre V6 could comply with Euro 7 emissions regulations.
“At the end of the day, if you express a high powertrain version for the Giulia and Stelvio which – by the way – are big cars, I would not see two, three, four cylinders.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s easier with six cylinders.”
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STLA Large
It’s possible the next Giulia and Stelvio could get a straight-six engine instead, as both will be based on parent company Stellantis’ STLA Large architecture, which underpins the similarly sized Dodge Charger.
In Daytona guise, the Charger is an EV, however later this year it’ll get the twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six ‘Hurricane’ engine from the Ram 1500, producing up to 410kW and 707Nm – a marked improvement on the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s 375kW/600Nm outputs.
Production of the current Giulia Quadrifoglio will end on March 31, 2025, followed by the Stelvio Quadrifoglio on April 30, before production of all remaining petrol-powered Stelvio and Giulia variants reportedly ceases on May 31.
MORE: End of an era: Alfa Romeo’s hot twin-turbo V6 Giulia, Stelvio ending production
