Alfa Romeo: new rumours about future engines

For several months, rumors have been circulating about the future engines ofAlfa Romeo are attracting a great deal of interest. Some time ago, we informed you that the 1.6L EP6 PHEV engine is at the heart of Stellantis' hybrid engine strategyThis engine will be produced in Hungary in 220,000 units. This engine is intended for models using the STLA Large and STLA Medium platforms. An important announcement, as it could be one of the solutions for the next Alfa Romeo models.

Then, a few weeks ago, a Jeep Grand Cherokee prototype equipped with the 1.6L EP6 PHEV engine was spotted in the United States. This model, also based on the STLA Large platform, has similar dimensions to those of the future Stelvio. This reinforces the idea that Alfa Romeo models on the same platform, such as the the Giulia and Stelvio, could well adopt this 1.6L hybrid engine.

Yet some voices continue to evoke the possibility that the 2.0L GME engine will not be discontinued and will remain available on future models of the brand, including the Giulia and Stelvio. This may come as a surprise, given that the 2.0L GME MHEV engine used in models such as the Maserati Grecale generates around 200g CO2/km, well above European emission reduction targets. How, then, could this engine still feature in future Alfa Romeo models, especially in the age of increasingly electrified vehicles?

But there's more to come. We have already revealed this on our site, but it would appear that the 1000 hp electric Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio will not be produced after all. This announcement caused quite a stir, as rumors persisted of the arrival of phenomenally powerful electric 100% models. Instead, it seems that the return of the V6 engine is now being considered, a return to our roots that could prove seductive for brand enthusiasts.

But what solution could enable these engines to comply with environmental requirements? One answer may lie with Stellantis e-transmissions. Last January, Stellantis announced that it had takes full control of its joint venture Stellantis e-transmissions. This strategic decision includes the development of eDCT transmissions, which, according to the Group, will be integrated into the MHEV and PHEV hybrid range. This suggests that Stellantis e-transmissions know-how could be used to hybridize 2.0L GME and V6 engines, lowering CO2 emissions and making these engines more compliant with European standards, while preserving the performance for which the brand is renowned.

Of course you can, all this is just an assumption based on the industrial logic of the Stellantis Group. To date, the union at the Termoli plant, where GME and V6 engines are produced, has not been informed of these potential developments. So we'll have to wait a few more months to find out more about the definitive engine directions for future Alfa Romeo models.