Despite almost 10 years in production, Alfa Romeo’s mid-size models could survive for at least two more years as Stellantis scrambles to re-engineer their replacements.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV will remain on sale until 2027, despite debuting in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The managing director of Stallantis Premium Brands in the UK, Jules Tilstone, confirmed the production extension of the two petrol-only models to UK publication, Autocar.
“Eighty per cent of the [UK] market is still ICE,” Tilstone said. “People are looking for fun-to-drive performance ICE cars, and the Giulia and Stelvio offer that in spades.”
Regarding the UK market, Tilstone confirmed that four-cylinder versions would continue to be offered and that the high-performance V6 Quadrifoglio versions would be reintroduced after a production pause from September this year.
In Australia, Alfa Romeo offers both models with a choice of 206kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder or 375kW 2.9-litre V6 turbo petrol engines.
The news of an extended production run for the current Giulia and Stelvio comes as Alfa Romeo pushes back its planned introduction for replacements, originally scheduled for 2026.
A new generation Stevlio was originally planned as an EV-only model, designed to tackle the new all-electric Porsche Macan, but Stellantis has since paused the introduction to allow time to engineer a wider range of electrified combustion engines.
The STLA Large platform that will underpin the new Stelvio, from parent company Stellantis, is capable of supporting EV and internal combustion propulsion, as already seen in the related Dodge Charger.
It is unclear if Alfa Romeo will opt to use the same six-cylinder turbo petrol engine from the Charger, or another petrol powertrain from the wider Stellantis portfolio.
The brand already has a similar powertrain strategy with the Junior small SUV, which is available as both a full EV or a mild-hybrid petrol engine.
While the Stelvio and Giulia have the potential to continue on for the next two years without major changes, the introduction of Euro 7 emissions regulations could limit extensions to the current models.
Newly introduced cars in the UK must be Euro 7 compliant from November 2026, but cars already on sale, like the Alfa Romeo models, have until November 2027 to meet Euro 7 compliance.
The cost of compliance could rule out further extending the life of the models that, by then, will be approaching 12 years old.
Alfa Romeo is on track to have the next-generation Stelvio ready for a 2027 introduction, even with the latest delays.
Timing for a replacement for the Giulia is unconfirmed, but the close development relationship between the two vehicles suggests that the Giulia should closely follow the introduction timing of the Stelvio.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
