Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe on the Way, Expect Added Power: Report
Alfa Romeo fans, whose passion was hardly diminished by reports of early Giulia reliability issues, will probably be pleased to hear there may be fewer doors and more power coming to the Italian sports model. We’ve heard rumors of a two-door before, but this one adds some extra detail.
According to Autocar, the upcoming Giulia variant adopts more than just a coupe bodystyle. Quicker launches and top-end speed bursts will come by way of a energy recovery system that adds extra muscle to the existing 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 2.9-liter V6.
The publication’s sources claim Alfa has two powertrains under development. When fitted with the ERS system — possibly a development of the HY-KERS system Ferrari and Fiat Chrysler-owned parts supplier Magneti Marelli used in the LaFerrari — the 2.0- and 2.9-liter engines will gain additional electric thrust for high-load driving situations.
Output is claimed to be 345 brake horsepower for the smaller mill and 641 bhp for the six-cylinder. An ERS system, like that used in Formula One, harvests and stores kinetic energy from braking as electrical energy. A driver can then use the stored energy to aid the internal combustion engine via a motor-generator. Basically, a mild hybrid that aims for speed, not economy.
If the Giulia Coupe is truly a go, we’ll learn of it officially in the brand’s upcoming product plan, expected later this year. Unfortunately, because the word “coupe” means many things in 2018, Autocar’s sources couldn’t confirm the model will actually have two doors. We may be looking at another swoopy four-door liftback sort of thing.
Even if this ends up being the case, a Giulia “coupe” would still give Alfa the product — and muscle — to better challenge the likes of BMW’s M division and Mercedes-AMG. The model supposedly goes on sale next year.
In the U.S., Giulia sales hit a new high point in March, with 1,284 buyers taking home the Italian sedan. The newcomer Stelvio SUV saw 1,270 buyers.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler]
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I admire what FCA are doing with Alfa but let’s be honest their sales numbers globally still suck. That’s not to say Alfa can’t succeed but I can’t help but wonder if a company like Jaguar might be a better custodian for the brand simply because they could share so many components. This sector of the market is in serious decline. So unless Alfa can reduce its costs then they will take a spanking.
2 doors is good. 2 door hardtop is better. 2 door convertible is best. Also, 2 doors does not necessarily equal 2 seats.