Alfa Romeo is moving fast towards electrification and since it is a brand closely associated with performance, hotter variants couldn’t be missing from its plans. As reported by Autocar, the first fully electric Alfa Romeo that is expected to launch in 2024 will likely get a Quadrifoglio variant.
Alfa Romeo’s first electrified model will be the Tonale, a compact SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is expected to debut in mid-2022. However, the Italian automakers’ first BEV will be introduced two years later, something that has already been confirmed by Alfa Romeo’s CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.
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The first electric Alfa, which could be named the Palade, will likely be a B-SUV sharing its underpinnings with similarly sized models from Stellantis’ portfolio including the likes of the Peugeot 2008, Opel Mokka, and DS 3 Crossback. Besides the BEV variant, Imparato hinted at a hybrid version combining a petrol engine at the front with an electric motor for the rear axle offering all-wheel drive.
If Alfa Romeo goes ahead with Quadrifoglio versions of its future models, it could cause a stir among its traditional fans of Alfa Romeo, although benefiting from the efficiency of electric motors means they could be powerful as well “green”. Setting aside the added weight from the batteries, the performance-focused small SUV would need a more aggressive suspension setup, greater stopping power, and an adequate aero package in order to proudly wear the cloverleaf logo on its front fenders.
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Performance and driving dynamics are quite important for Alfisti, with Imparato stating: “I will always study the possibility to make a performance version of the car that will be fully consistent with the product portfolio message we send. If I consider that I’m not able to offer the right level of performance steps of Quadrifoglio, I will not do a Quadrifoglio version.”
What is highly unlikely, at least for the near future, is for Alfa Romeo to launch a GTA-branded SUV, despite the fact that the Stelvio also has a Quadrifoglio version and all 500 units of the Giulia GTA and GTAm are already sold out. Last year, marketing chief Fabio Migliavacca ruled out a possible expansion of the GTA range to the Stelvio stating that the DNA of the moniker does not match other cars in their product lineup. Given that both the Tonale C-SUV and the B-SUV that will follow will be high-riding models based on Stellantis underpinnings, this statement also applies to them.
Imparato has pledged on launching a new model every year from 2022 to 2026, while starting from 2027, Alfa Romeo will only launch EVs.