The Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso 2+2 coupe has been unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, with the Italian automaker saying it embodies the design direction of its future electrified models.
The Cuorerosso, whose name combines the Italian words for 'heart' and 'red', won't enter production, according to Alfa Romeo, ruling out a direct successor to the brand's last 2+2 coupe, the Brera, which was launched in Australia in 2006.
Instead, it could preview design themes for potential successors to the Italian brand's mid-size Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV, although neither replacement has been officially confirmed.
The current Giulia and Stelvio, which share the Giorgio platform, are scheduled to remain in production until the end of 2027. An Autocar report from April 2026 suggested the new models, offering electric, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, will now arrive in 2028.
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Alfa Romeo described the Cuorerosso as “Neither an anticipation of a production model nor a mere exercise in style, but an authentic manifesto destined to inspire future models and to set out how the Biscione [large serpent, as depicted in the badge] brand intends to face the new era of electrification.”
Alfa Romeo abandoned its previous plan to sell only electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe, North America and China by 2027, instead adopting a strategy incorporating multiple powertrain types.
The Italian marque currently offers just one fully electric model globally, the Junior Elettrica, which was launched in Australia in July 2025.
It's currently priced at $58,990 before on-road costs, with a 115kW electric motor and a claimed driving range of up to 407km.
Alfa Romeo, part of the Stellantis group of automotive brands, said the Cuorerosso embodies its revised multi-energy approach, which includes electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), full-hybrid and mild-hybrid powertrains “without sacrificing the brand's distinctive values”.
“In this new phase, electrification is not only called upon to perpetuate love for the automobile, but to amplify it based on a new interpretation of performance, design, and engagement,” the company said.
The four-seat, wedge-shaped Cuorerosso coupe measures 4700mm long, making it slightly longer than the current Giulia (4643mm) and Stelvio (4687mm).
Its design centres on three core pillars: 'Italy', 'red' and 'sportiness'.
The 'Italy' theme is reflected in the concept's dramatic proportions and sculpted bodywork, with its 1980mm width significantly exceeding the Giulia's 1860mm and Stelvio's 1903mm.
Its 2930mm wheelbase is 110mm longer than the Giulia's and 112mm longer than the Stelvio's, while its 'Coda Tronca' (truncated tail) design and integrated rear diffuser contribute to a claimed drag coefficient of 0.28.
The Cuorerosso's front end reinterprets Alfa Romeo's traditional 'Trilobo' three-part design, incorporating the central 'Scudetto' shield-shaped grille and flanking headlights.
The shield motif is also reflected in the shape of the rear windscreen, while other design details include new 'telephone dial' forged alloy wheels, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and air suspension.
The 'red' pillar represents passion and performance, highlighted by the concept's Liquid Ink Red paintwork, while 'sportiness' reflects Alfa Romeo's emphasis on driving dynamics and enjoyment behind the wheel.
That theme is reinforced by the Quadrifoglio four-leaf clover performance badge, as well as steer-by-wire and a driver-focused cabin in which the steering wheel takes centre stage.
The dashboard draws inspiration from the 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, with instrumentation displaying only information considered essential to the driver.
It also features a new 'Cannocchiale Vivente' instrument display with two configurations, allowing the traditional twin-dial layout to merge into a single display. Alfa Romeo says the technology has potential for further development through Stellantis' STLA SmartCockpit platform, designed to offer greater personalisation.
While the concept previews the potential of multiple powertrains, Alfa Romeo says a future performance model “can be imagined” with a 2.9-litre V6 full-hybrid powertrain, Q4 all-wheel drive, a torque-converter transmission and a carbon-fibre driveshaft.
The powertrain would represent an electrified evolution of the twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 used in the flagship Quadrifoglio versions of the Giulia and Stelvio, which already feature carbon-fibre driveshafts but don't use hybrid technology.
Earlier this year, Alfa Romeo parent company Stellantis identified four core global brands from its portfolio of more than a dozen automotive marques, naming Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat as its priorities.
Alfa Romeo was classified as a 'regional brand', with Stellantis subsequently confirming the Giulia and Stelvio would continue in production until the end of 2027, although replacements remain unconfirmed.
While Alfa Romeo had confirmed in 2024 it would launch a new Stelvio in 2025 and a new Giulia in 2026, based on the STLA Large platform underpinning models such as the Dodge Charger, these new models haven't eventuated and didn't feature in the brand's product plans announced in May 2026.
Both were set to exclusively use electric power, with patent images of the next-generation Stelvio surfacing in April 2025. In confirming in October 2025 that the current cars would live on until 2027, Alfa Romeo said it was looking to engineer these next-generation models to accommodate internal combustion engines.
Earlier this year, Alfa Romeo outlined plans for a new C-segment SUV to succeed the current Tonale, with an arrival expected in early 2028.
The new model will use Stellantis' STLA Medium architecture, already used by the Peugeot 3008 and larger 5008, although it has yet to be confirmed whether it'll retain the Tonale name.
The current Tonale is sold in Australia with mild-hybrid and PHEV powertrains, but no fully electric option.
Alfa Romeo also plans to introduce a new C-segment hatchback, potentially reviving the Giulietta nameplate, which disappeared when production ended in late 2020.
Expected before the end of the decade, it would compete with the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Australian Alfa Romeo sales have fallen 28.4 per cent year-to-date to the end of September 2026, with 265 vehicles delivered.
The Junior is the brand's most popular model locally, ahead of the Giulia, Tonale and Stelvio.