Alfa Romeo Tonale expected to go on sale in 2021.
Trim changes for Stelvio and Giulia, 4C production winding down.
Alfa Romeo GTV and 8C revivals won’t happen as initially planned.
Alfa Romeo celebrated its 110th anniversary this year, and although COVID-19 most likely smothered the brand’s planned festivities, it’s moving forward with some new products as the merger between parent company FCA and Groupe PSA is under way.
While it’s still unclear how all the brands in the newly created Stellantis will coexist alongside each other, Alfa Romeo has announced at least one unveiling that will occur in 2021. Let’s take a look at what to expect for the brand this coming year.
First and foremost, a production version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale should soon debut. This subcompact-sized crossover, which will join the lineup below the Stelvio, should be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, of which components should be shared with the Jeep Compass. Of course, the Tonale should offer better performance and handling than the mass-market Jeep.
Earlier this year, word got out that FCA told suppliers to stop development of all B-segment cars and crossovers, as the company will develop all such future models on PSA architectures. One rumoured future vehicle is a fully electric or PHEV Alfa Romeo crossover that would be even smaller than the Tonale.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio received a host of upgrades and improvements for the 2020 model year, so we’re not expecting anything big for 2021. A new Veloce trim level has been announced, which benefits from some Quadrifoglio styling elements and interior trim, but is powered by the 280-horsepower, turbo 2.0L four. For the 2021 model year, the base-trim Stelvio is now known as the Sprint, and the luxury-minded Lusso has been deleted from the lineup.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan was also refreshed for the 2020 model year, and although a Veloce trim level might also be added as is the case for the Stelvio, the big news here is the limited-run Giulia GTA, which was unveiled in March. The GTA will get a 540-horsepower version of the Quadrifoglio’s twin-turbo 2.9L V6, ultra-light materials that reduce the car’s weight by about 220 pounds (100 kg) as well as aerodynamic add-ons and suspension retuning. A Giulia GTAm will also be available as a “street-legal” race car with racing seats, six-point safety belts, and no rear seats. Only 500 units of the Giulia GTA and GTAm will be produced for worldwide consumption, and deliveries should start in 2021. Meanwhile, the base trim level of the Giulia is now called Sprint, and the more luxurious Lusso has been canned.
As for the Alfa Romeo 4C, the 2020 model year will likely be the last. Production of the lightweight, two-seat sports car has run its course, and the model’s career was capped off by a limited-edition 4C Spider Italia edition, of which only 15 units were made available for the North American market, and the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo, available in only 33 copies.
Last but not least, an Alfa Romeo GTV was expected to be unveiled sometime in 2021, but that may not happen after all. The potential four-passenger sports coupe would’ve used the Stelio and Giulia’s architecture, and benefit from the brand’s twin-turbo V6, but combined with an electric motor for a combined output of more than 600 horsepower, along with all-wheel drive. Back in 2018, the brand announced plans for the resurrection of the GTV, the Alfa Romeo 8C as a performance flagship, in addition to an E-segment utility vehicle (bigger than the Stelvio), but since then, those plans have been scrapped.
