Next-Gen Alfa Romeo Stelvio Snapped For The First Time

Earlier this week, we learned that Alfa Romeo was making a big turn with the replacement for its Stelvio SUV. Instead of going entirely electric, a new gas engine – likely as a PHEV – would be going under the hood of the next-generation model. Now, the CarBuzz spy photographers have snapped the new Stelvio for the first time.

The Italian crossover was in Sweden for cold weather and winter testing. The season is almost at an end, even that far north, but automakers will use every minute they can to try and make sure their vehicles are up to snuff. Especially when they’re going to be revealed later this year and on sale by the end of the next winter season.

Alfa has gone far beyond what we normally see for vehicle camouflage on this one, truly working hard to keep the styling secret for now. The strange lines you see on the tops and the bottoms of the doors are add-ons to the real panels. Most likely made of foam, when placed under the wrap they almost completely mislead you as to what the car will look like.

It can’t hide the proportions, though. This SUV shows its electric bones underneath by way of that very long wheelbase. The four tires, especially the two at the rear, are right at the edges of the bodywork. A long hood with huge vents gives it an aggressive look at the front, while the coupe-like rear roofline has us wondering if it’s real or just another misdirection. Alfa has revealed some teasers and renderings of the vehicle, but they don’t give away much either.

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Alfa’s new face is poking out from behind the black panel on the nose. The company’s signature grille has sharper corners and straighter lines than it has in recent years. It looks like a return to an older design for the company. Split headlights, with larger lights mid-bumper and narrow running lights up top, are on display, too.

Electric First, Gas Later

Our spies tell us that the electric version of the Stelvio is still set to be the first one on sale. This looks to be that Stelvio EV, with the lack of an exposed grille one clue and the warning triangle (signifying electrification) in the windshield another.

This model is going to be built on the STLA Large platform, the same one used for the Jeep Wagoneer S and the Dodge Charger Daytona. The new architecture supports both electric and gas engines. We know this will get one of those gas engines, probably shortly after launch, but we don’t know what engine will be used.

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The Stellantis Hurricane inline-six will fit the platform, and the long nose suggests it will fit in here. But a more Italian V6, and four-cylinder options, are more likely.

Alfa Romeo plans to reveal the new Stelvio later this year, and it is expected to go on sale in early 2026. That’s delayed slightly from the original plans, with company CEO Santo Ficili saying that the plant in Hungary that will build its electric motors isn’t quite ready.

Whatever your thoughts on gas versus electric power, we think we can all agree with one thing about this new Stelvio: Those three-spoke wheels need to make it to production.