Alfa Romeo confirms Giulia and Stelvio remain in production until end of 2027, with hot Quadrifoglio version returning sometime in 2026Second-generation Giulia and Stelvio will use Stellantis platform supporting both electric and hybrid powertrains for flexibilityNext Giulia Quadrifoglio could borrow V6 engine from Maserati, replacing current Ferrari-derived twin-turbo unit with corporate powertrain Alfa Romeo has confirmed that the Giulia and Stelvio models will remain in production until the end of 2027, which is excellent news for people who enjoy driving and terrible news for BMW M3 owners who've been enjoying reduced competition. Crucially, the hot Quadrifoglio version is also on the cards, returning sometime next year after a brief absence that had enthusiasts genuinely worried. According to media reports, the second-generation Giulia and Stelvio will be based on a Stellantis platform with support for both electric and hybrid powertrains. This flexibility matters enormously given current market uncertainty about EV adoption rates. Building cars that can accommodate multiple powertrain types means Alfa Romeo isn't betting everything on electrification, which seems prudent given how many manufacturers are currently backtracking on their all-electric promises. As far as the Giulia is concerned, Alfa Romeo plans continuing production of the sporty sedan for another two years. The sharper and more exciting Quadrifoglio version will return sometime next year, which gives Alfa enough time to properly develop the new model rather than rushing something inadequate to market just to maintain the nameplate. While Alfa has yet to reveal technical details of the next Giulia Quadrifoglio, the carmaker has hinted it could borrow a V6 engine from Maserati. This is significant because the current Quadrifoglio uses a Ferrari-derived twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 producing 505 horsepower, one of the greatest engines ever fitted to a sports sedan. That engine is glorious, characterful, and sounds absolutely magnificent at full throttle. Replacing it with a Maserati V6 could go either way. Maserati's current Nettuno V6 produces 621 horsepower in the MC20 and features F1-derived pre-chamber combustion technology. If Alfa Romeo uses that engine, even in detuned form, the next Quadrifoglio could be genuinely spectacular. If they use a different Maserati V6, results may vary considerably. Stellantis has multiple V6 engines across its portfolio, and not all of them are particularly exciting. The current Giulia Quadrifoglio is one of the best sports sedans available, offering proper rear-wheel-drive dynamics, a brilliant chassis, and that glorious engine. It competes directly with the BMW M3, Mercedes-AMG C63, and Audi RS4, but does so with more character and soul than any of them despite typically costing less. Sales haven't been spectacular, largely because Alfa Romeo's dealer network is limited and brand reputation for reliability remains questionable, but the product itself is genuinely excellent. The next generation moving to a Stellantis platform shared with other models should reduce development costs while maintaining performance credentials. Supporting both electric and hybrid powertrains means Alfa Romeo can offer customers choice rather than forcing them toward one solution. An electric Quadrifoglio could be interesting if properly executed, delivering instant torque and impressive performance, though it'll need to weigh considerably less than most EVs to maintain the chassis balance that makes the current car so special. The Quadrifoglio nameplate represents Alfa Romeo's performance heritage, the four-leaf clover badge dating back to Alfa's racing history in the 1920s. Keeping that tradition alive matters for brand identity, proving Alfa Romeo still builds genuinely exciting driver's cars rather than just rebadged Stellantis products with Italian names. The Tonale has proven that approach doesn't work, sales collapsing because nobody wants an overpriced Dodge Hornet with an Alfa badge. The Giulia Quadrifoglio's return in 2026 suggests Alfa Romeo understands which products actually matter. Sports sedans may be a declining segment, squeezed between SUVs and electric vehicles, but they still matter to enthusiasts who actually drive their cars rather than just using them as transport. If Alfa Romeo can deliver a next-generation Quadrifoglio with a proper Maserati V6, maintain the current car's chassis brilliance, and price it competitively, they might have a genuine BMW M3 fighter on their hands. Whether they actually execute this properly remains to be seen. Stellantis has a mixed track record with performance cars, sometimes delivering brilliance and sometimes producing disappointing compromises. The next Giulia Quadrifoglio arriving in 2026 with a Maserati V6 could be spectacular or mediocre depending entirely on which engine they choose and how well they integrate it. Either way, it's returning, which is considerably better than the alternative of Alfa Romeo abandoning performance sedans entirely and focusing solely on crossovers nobody particularly wants.
