New Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV: finally a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine?

The future Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV, scheduled for 2025, continues to fuel speculation, particularly as regards its powertrains. After detailing the STLA Large platform and other features of this model in a previous articlea new doubt has arisen: could the Stelvio adopt a 3.0L 6-cylinder in-line engine?which until now has been reserved for certain Jeep, RAM and Dodge models in the United States?

History of the in-line 6-cylinder engine

The GME T6, a 3.0L in-line 6-cylinder engine developed by FCA prior to the merger with PSA, has given rise to lively debate. This engine, nicknamed "Hurricane", could be an interesting alternative for Alfa Romeo, offering power ratings ranging from 420 hp to 510 hp depending on version. It is currently used in the United States in models such as the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, but until now, Stellantis' European vehicles, like those from Alfa Romeo and Maserati, have been limited to V6 or 4-cylinder engines, due to strict environmental constraints on CO2 emissions.

The idea of adopting a 6-cylinder engine on the Stelvio may come as a surpriseespecially in view of current trends in electric and hybrid vehicles. But Quattroruote, an Italian media outlet, recently suggested that this engine could appear on the future Stelvio. Such an engine could offer exceptional performance, such as high torque and acceleration worthy of Alfa Romeo's sportiness, but the question of co2 emissions remains central.

Incompatible CO2 emissions

The GME T6 engine, though impressive in terms of performance, has high CO2 emissionsparticularly in models like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, where it exceeds 300 g/km of CO2. For such an engine to be viable on the European market, these emissions would have to be drastically reduced, ideally to below 100 g/km. This would require a rechargeable hybrid version (PHEV)), but no official announcement seems to indicate that Stellantis plans to offer this technology for the GME T6.

In the European context, where regulations on CO2 emissions are increasingly stringent, it's hard to imagine a combustion engine that pollutes so much. On the other hand, on the North American market, where standards are less stringent, this type of engine could have a future, particularly for top-of-the-range versions of the Stelvio.

If the GME T6 were to be used in an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it would probably be combined with plug-in hybrid technology to reduce its environmental impact. An in-line 6-cylinder PHEV engine would make it possible to reconcile performance and compliance with emissions standards, while meeting the growing demand for hybrid vehicles.

What prospects for Europe?

It is unlikely that the GME T6 engine, in its combustion version, will be integrated into the Stelvio's European range. The general trend at Stellantis is to favor hybrid and electric powertrains, with the STLA Large platform has already been prepared for electric 100 % versions of the Stelvio.

The 1.6L EP6 is the engine we've come to expect on the Stelvio, a 1.6L PHEV 4-cylinder engine. This engine is already used in models such as the Peugeot 3008 and the 408 PHEV. It's an engine that's particularly well-suited to Europe. Stellantis plans to produce it in the United States. To be continued!