Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso concept previews next-generation Giulia with hybrid V6 and steer-by-wire

A manifesto on four wheels

Alfa Romeo has revealed the Cuorerosso, a striking 2+2 fastback concept the Italian brand describes as a manifesto for its future direction in style, function and technology. The name combines the Italian words for 'heart' and 'red'. As Alfa Romeo itself presents it, the heart is the origin of energy and red is the colour of passion, and the German outlet meinauto.de reported that the concept previews a future model in which driver experience and emotion play a central role. According to that report, the Cuorerosso was developed by the same designers and engineers who work on the brand's series-production cars. ¹³

Reporting by Autocar, syndicated via UA.NEWS, notes the concept was created under Alfa Romeo's 'Necessary Beauty' design philosophy, with the company saying its designers initially developed the body proportions without wheels, windows or other details. The show car is finished in Liquid Ink Red, as reported by Chasing Cars. ²¹

Dimensions and design close to the Giulia

The four-door fastback measures 4.7 metres long, 1.98 metres wide and 1.33 metres high, with a 2.93-metre wheelbase, according to Autocar's report via UA.NEWS. That makes it slightly shorter and wider than the current Giulia, with dimensions close to the ageing midsize sedan, which Chasing Cars notes is now 11 years old and overdue for replacement. The manufacturer said future models in key segments will be built on platforms for cars up to 4.7 metres long. ²¹

Design details include a low, pointed front end carrying the signature Scudetto grille, an illuminated Biscione emblem and slim headlights, Autocar reported via UA.NEWS. At the rear, the coda tronca — a truncated body end — references historic Alfa Romeo models and is intended to aid aerodynamics. ²

Hybrid V6 points to next Quadrifoglio

Alfa Romeo envisages a kerb weight of 1750 kg for the concept, along with a hybridised version of the 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, according to Autocar's report carried by UA.NEWS. Power would be sent to all four wheels through a torque-converter automatic transmission and a carbon-fibre driveshaft, with the company presenting this configuration as a possible technical direction for the next generation of Quadrifoglio sports models. ²

Alongside the performance petrol direction, the brand is preparing multiple powertrain types for future cars — mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric versions. Chasing Cars reports that Alfa Romeo has said future models will be underpinned by 'multi-energy architectures', meaning various electric and combustion powertrains will be offered both separately and combined for hybrid offerings. ²¹

Steer-by-wire cabin and conceptual flourishes

The Cuorerosso's interior uses steer-by-wire technology, under which the steering wheel has no physical connection to the front wheels, according to Autocar's report via UA.NEWS. The wheel has a flat upper edge, and the digital instrument panel consists of two round screens for speed and engine revs in normal mode; in sport modes they merge into a single central display inspired by the large instrument of the 1960s 33 Stradale. ²

The centre console retains physical controls for the audio system and air conditioning, though some solutions remain purely conceptual — including rear doors hinged at the rear and the absence of a conventional boot. Alfa Romeo says it will continue to create cars for people who love to drive, Chasing Cars reports. ²¹

Paris debut and what it foreshadows

The concept made its first public appearance in Paris, where Alfa Romeo initially showed a sporty concept rather than the next SUV many had expected, according to meinauto.de. The outlet reported the brand had already confirmed a new C-segment SUV in May, though concrete details have yet to be released, and that no further information was given about the planned 'Bottega Fuorisierie' special project — meaning a small series planned in collaboration with Maserati remains outstanding. meinauto.de noted Alfa Romeo intended to announce more details on the Cuorerosso on October 12, the Paris motor show press day. ³

Beyond the concept, Alfa Romeo is working on new Giulia and Stelvio models as well as a conceptual successor to the Giulietta hatchback, according to Autocar's report carried by UA.NEWS. Chasing Cars notes the related Stelvio midsize SUV is also about a decade old, with spy images of the next-generation model having been spotted testing. ²¹

For the Australian market, context matters: Chasing Cars reports that Alfa Romeo sales continue to struggle locally despite the relatively recent introduction of compact models such as the Junior and Tonale. Alfa Romeo has not announced Australian availability or pricing for any production model derived from the Cuorerosso. ¹