Alfa Romeo Announces Plans to Develop Electric Vehicles Focused on the Driver, Using Variable Trim Power and Exercising Caution with Technology

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By Car Brand Experts

It appears that Alfa Romeo is set to enhance its offerings for car enthusiasts with the introduction of electrification. During the launch event of the Tonale crossover in Milan, Alfa Romeo North America’s Senior Vice President Larry Dominique, speaking to The Drive, shed light on the implications of the simplified design of electric vehicles for the brand’s upcoming models. This development will ultimately lead to a wider array of performance options for customers, with increasing power and trim variations over time.

When discussing the Guilia, Dominique mentioned to The Drive that the lower-tier trims currently share similarities in terms of fuel tank size, powertrains, and 0-60 acceleration for the 280-hp models. However, this uniformity may not persist in the future. Given the shared components in EVs, Alfa Romeo could potentially introduce models like a “350-hp Sprint, 450-hp Ti, 600-hp Veloce, and a 1,000-hp Quadrifoglio” without incurring excessive costs.

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While many car manufacturers may share a similar vision, Alfa Romeo aims to set itself apart by emphasizing the enthusiast aspect in its EV offerings.

According to Dominique, the focus is on creating a driving experience centered on the driver, blending aesthetics with strong performance and incorporating an appropriate level of technology to meet customer requirements. He also took a dig at Tesla to underscore his point, saying, “We [Alfa] aren’t aiming to be at the forefront of adopting numerous new technologies—we want to ensure competitiveness. Our primary goal is not to outpace Tesla, who tends to prioritize software and technology over vehicle chassis integrity. Our focus is on crafting a driver-focused experience fused with elegance, high performance, and the suitable technology levels to meet consumer demands.”

It should be noted that the concept of providing more options for enthusiasts already exists in the realm of internal combustion engine vehicles. A prime example is BMW, which offers various powertrain selections across its vehicle lineup, showcasing that Alfa Romeo’s vision is achievable without solely venturing into full-scale electrification. However, as a smaller brand with ambitions to expand, Alfa lacks the resources to develop a fully diversified range of ICE or hybrid car models akin to larger players like the aforementioned German automaker. Now under the umbrella of the extensive Stellantis group, the Italian company can leverage shared components with other brands’ EVs discreetly. Dominique emphasized, “The essential hardware remains consistent.” The differences could revolve around factors like battery size or motor specifications rather than introducing entirely new engines or transmissions.

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