The leader of Stellantis' Enlarged Europe division has offered additional insights regarding Alfa Romeo's vital upcoming compact vehicles.

In a roundtable discussion with outlets such as Automotive News Europe, Emanuele Cappellano, COO for the Enlarged Europe region at Stellantis, verified that Alfa Romeo plans to introduce a fresh compact hatchback on the new STLA One multi-energy modular platform, which supports hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric options.

Cappellano did not specify a model name or exact release timeline for this rival to the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, yet noted that vehicles on the STLA One platform will cost 20 per cent less to develop than current Stellantis equivalents in the same class.

The company aims for the new compact model to boost Alfa Romeo performance across Europe, where sales have fallen 20 per cent through April this year based on Dataforce data.

This marks Alfa Romeo's return to the compact hatchback category for the first time since Giulietta production ceased in 2020. A brand statement after the Stellantis Investor Day last month pointed to a launch sometime beyond 2027.

The current Alfa Romeo Giulietta (Tipo 940) ran from 2010 to 2020, succeeding the 147 that had been built throughout the prior decade.

Cappellano further informed Italian outlets that the Tonale compact SUV will give way to a successor on the STLA Medium platform. Production will occur at Melfi in Italy, sharing the line with the DS No.7 and No.8 plus the upcoming Lancia Gamma and Jeep Compass, all using the identical platform.

It remains uncertain if this confirmed Tonale successor stands apart from the new C-segment SUV listed in the FaSTLAne 2030 plan unveiled on May 21, or whether that model will sit above the revised Tonale.

The updated platform will also enable a full battery electric version of the Tonale replacement. The present Tonale offers only 48-volt hybrid and plug-in hybrid setups without a complete electric drivetrain.

In an unexpected comment, Cappellano noted that the Italian brand is seeking partners to create electrified replacements for the existing Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV.

We are currently assessing two to three options for new D-segment models, including some from our own engineering teams and others from outside partners, the European chief stated.

Partnerships allow faster model launches and greater scale for key components. This approach is under review for both Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

Although the new STLA One platform covers sizes up to the D segment, including models like the Stelvio, Giulia and BMW 3 Series, Cappellano explained to Automotive News Europe that the architecture reaches only as far as entry-level mid-size vehicles.

His remarks suggest STLA One is a front-wheel drive base with optional all-wheel drive, similar to the Volkswagen Group's MQB setup. Alfa Romeo will therefore need external partners for Giulia and Stelvio successors to preserve the preferred rear or all-wheel drive configuration with electrified power.

Built on the Giorgio platform, the current mid-size sedan and SUV were originally slated for electric-only replacements on the STLA Large platform in 2025 for the Stelvio and 2026 for the Giulia.

Patent images of the next Stelvio appeared in April 2025, after which Alfa Romeo confirmed in October 2025 that current models would remain in production until 2027.

Alfa Romeo had stated plans to add combustion powertrains after stepping back from an all-electric target by 2027. An Autocar report indicated the new models would now arrive in 2028 with electric, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid choices.

Current vehicles will stay in production until next year, including the high-performance twin-turbo petrol V6 Quadrifoglio versions. Stellantis has given no timeline for the replacements.

No reference was made to a flagship E-SUV previously discussed by Alfa Romeo. It joins other large models dropped from the pipeline, such as BMW 5 Series and X5 rivals cancelled in 2018 during the Fiat Chrysler era.

Under Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa's FaSTLAne plan, Alfa Romeo will refresh the electrified Junior light SUV by 2030 and add the new C-segment SUV plus an exclusive New Bottega Fuoriserie Project.

Bottega Fuoriserie serves as the Alfa Romeo-Maserati creative center handling classic restorations, performance technology and limited-run vehicles, suggesting the new model may be a special coach-built edition.

Alfa Romeo will remain positioned below Maserati, which will build two new E-segment models consisting of a passenger car and an SUV.