Alfa Romeo will launch an electric SUV based on the Jeep Avenger

As a brand, alfa romeo trades in an Italian sense of design and passion. That will continue as launches its first EV, in the form of a subcompact crossover which is supposedly coming to some markets next year. The twist is that is set to be based on a Jeep.

Alfa Romeo’s new SUV will use the same platform as Jeep’s Avenger

As reported by Autocar, the new subcompact SUV will be based on the same STLA Small platform as the Jeep Avenger. The most recent information suggests that will be called Brenner, but Alfa Romeo still has time to invent something better. It is expected to use the same powertrain as the Jeep. That means a 54 kWh battery, along with a single electric motor driving the front wheels with 154 bhp and 192 lb-ft of torque. The range should be on the order of 250 miles.

Alfa Romeo is 4 years away from becoming an EV brand

Reports suggest that a mild hybrid version will also be available in some markets. In any case, the hybrid would disappear since, Alfa Romeo becomes EV only from 2027.

In particular, Autocar’s reports refer to the UK market. Whether such a model will make it to the US is an open question, as no statement has been issued by the automaker so far.

Stellantis has created new strategies around its EV platform

Platform sharing is a strategy designed to extract the maximum possible value from Alfa Romeo. Stellantis has used this strategy before. Changed the name of the Alfa Romeo Tonale as Dodge Hornet, much to the chagrin of Alfa executives. This time though, the Alfa Romeo product is likely to get a new sheet metal, rather than just a round badge attached to the front of the existing Jeep model.

Alfa Romeo hopes to recover its sales number

Regarding the design, the model will probably feature elements of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta original, based on CEO suggestions Jean-Philippe Imparato. The new model is expected to help rebuild Alfa Romeo’s sales, which have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The company sold just over 30,000 cars in Europe in 2022, up from 54,365 vehicles in 2019. It’s been a long, slow decline for the company, which sold more than 131,000 vehicles in 2011.

Alfa Romeo changes its image to customers

Speaking about the future of the brand last year, former UK boss, Damien Dally, told Autocar that Alfa Romeo was aiming to increase sales volumes. “We want to go from an emotional brand to a rational one,” he said. The idea is to change Alfa Romeo’s image from being a fancy sports brand to one that offers cars for everyone. It’s a shame to change what makes Alfa unique, but the exotic image of the brand doesn’t help it generate sales.

It’s no secret that Alfa Romeo has struggled in the 21st century. Repeated efforts to get the brand up and running have met with limited success, and the brand now sells a fraction of the volume it once did. Whether a humble SUV built on a shared platform can reinvigorate the company remains to be seen. Enthusiasts will hope the legendary Italian marque flourishes again, even if it takes a few pedestrian models to pay the bills in the meantime.

************
It may interest you:
The next Alfa Romeo Stelvio will be electric and will arrive in 2026
The perfect SUV for families with small children: it even has a changing table
Alfa Romeo will build an exclusive three-row electric SUV for the US.
Alfa Romeo Tonale 2023 will only be a plug-in hybrid in the US.
Alfa Romeo’s flagship sports car will arrive in 2025, but you don’t know if it will be electric