Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso concept previews design of future models

Key takeaways

• The Cuorerosso is a concept only and won’t go into production.
• Its design will influence a Tonale replacement due in early 2028.
• Future Alfas will offer mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric power.

Alfa Romeo has revealed the Cuorerosso concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. The four-seat, four-door coupe previews the design direction for the Italian brand’s next generation of models.

Alfa says the Cuorerosso won’t be built. Its styling will instead carry over to new models due before 2030, beginning with a replacement for the Tonale medium SUV in early 2028.

Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficili said the link will be obvious. “As soon as we launch that car, you will immediately recognise something coming from this concept,” he said.

The name combines the Italian words for heart and red, and the show car is finished in a deep metallic shade Alfa calls Liquid Ink Red.

It’s a long, low fastback with short overhangs, a cut-off Coda Tronca tail and coach doors, with the front and rear doors opening in opposite directions and no B-pillar between them. Alfa’s Scudetto shield grille is lit by triangular elements and flanked by slim headlights, while the round tail-lights borrow from the 8C supercar. Oversized forged versions of Alfa’s classic telephone dial wheels complete the look.

Inside are four individual seats trimmed in Alcantara, leather and metal, with the leather made using 60% post-industrial waste. The driver gets a yoke-style steering wheel and a dashboard inspired by the 1967 33 Stradale, including twin cylindrical instrument binnacles that can mechanically merge into a single display. A hidden OLED screen appears only when needed, and physical controls remain for the climate, gear selector and drive modes.

Cuorerosso dimensions compared

The concept weighs 1750kg and has a claimed drag coefficient of 0.28.

Hybrid V6 and all-wheel drive

The Cuorerosso is built around a hybrid version of the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 from the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which currently has no electrification. Drive goes to all four wheels through Alfa’s Q4 system, a torque-converter automatic and a carbon-fibre driveshaft. No power or torque figures have been released.

Air suspension, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and steer-by-wire round out the hardware.

Alfa says the concept’s underpinnings can also accommodate electric and plug-in hybrid power. Its future range will span mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models, replacing an earlier plan to sell only EVs in Europe, North America and China by 2027.

What’s next for Alfa Romeo in Australia

Production of the current Giulia and Stelvio is scheduled to end in late 2027, and replacements for both are yet to be confirmed.

The Tonale successor will ride on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, shared with the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, though its name hasn’t been locked in. A new small hatchback is also planned before the end of the decade.

New models can’t come soon enough for the brand locally. Alfa Romeo delivered 265 vehicles in Australia to the end of September, down 28.4% year to date, with the Junior its best seller.