- The next high-performance Quadrifoglio Alfa Romeo will be the Stelvio.
- CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato says it could make as much as 986 horsepower.
- The current development prototype makes 941 horsepower already but Alfa is aiming even higher.
The transition to electrification isn’t one that everybody is happy about. For some die-hard enthusiasts, parting with the sound and experience of a combustion engine is a tough pill to swallow. Alfa Romeo, known for its driver-oriented approach, particularly (if we’re being brutally honest), with its two larger family models, is undergoing its own transition. It seems the brand might soon give fans 986 reasons to embrace the shift.
Having been on the market since 2016, the Stelvio is long overdue for a replacement, with the new model scheduled for introduction next summer. It will be based on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, the same one that underpins the new Dodge Charger.
More: New Milano SUV Is Alfa Romeo’s First Ever EV
This platform provides access to an 800V architecture, enabling ultra-fast charging speeds and offering sufficient battery capacity for several hundred miles of travel between charging stops. According to CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato, it could also boast up to 986 horsepower (735 kW).
Speaking to AutoExpress, he says that the current development car already makes 941 horsepower (741 kW) but that the team isn’t stopping there. “That’s the figure for the moment… If we can reach 1,000 PS (986 hp) then we’ll do it, but I’m not absolutely sure it’s the first priority of the company, or the customers,” he says. If those figures are correct then we’re talking about an SUV with power on par with the Tesla Model X.
In fact, a 986 hp SUV would be second only to the Model X in terms of stock SUV horsepower for sale today. Only one other vehicle, the Lotus Eletre, boasts a figure above 900 hp (671 kW). If Alfa Romeo is going for headlines, such a powerful SUV would do it. That makes sense given Stellantis CEO Carlos Taveres’ recent comments too.
More: 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia To Be Based On Dodge Charger, Available In EV And ICE Flavors
Just a few days ago he called Alfa Romeo “the greatest jewel” within the entire group and that he’d turned down offers to buy it. The Franco-Italian automotive giant will invest billions in Italy to complete its plans to build 15 new models in the nation. The Stelvio and next-gen Giulia (also an EV that will arrive in 2027) will both be part of that plan.
There’s no question that the end of the current Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio production is a bittersweet reality. Nevertheless, an SUV with the sort of power that Imparato is talking about sounds like an absolute hoot to drive.
We Could See An ICE Version Too
While Alfa Romeo officials have stated that the Stelvio’s replacement will be electric-only, recent reports suggest that the Giulia’s successor will eventually offer both electric and gasoline options, akin to the new Dodge Charger. Considering the current state of the market, it wouldn’t be a stretch to believe that the new Alfa SUV might include a combustion engine option as well.
