By FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL, SENIOR MOTORING REPORTER
Updated:
Alfa Romeo revealed its stunning Cuorerosso at the Paris Motor Show to stir the hearts of all those who love the legendary Italian badge
The 2+2 coupé concept car, which bears a name that means 'red heart' in Italian, may never make it into production but signals Alfa's potential design direction.
With the Cuorerosso, there are elements of both supercar and grand tourer, with the fastback concept about the same size as the current Giulia saloon but looking far more dramatic.
Adding to the drama are opposite-hinged front and rear doors, which open to create a huge framed entrance to the car.
Alfa Romeo says it adopts its 'Necessary Beauty' philosophy and signposts how it will handle electrification in the future, offering customers electric powertrains alongside varied hybrid powertrains.
The Italian carmaker says petrol cars will continue with mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric choices on offer to drivers.
Alfa Romeo has revealed a concept car that will stir hearts: The Cuorerosso
Door stoppers: The Alfa's opposite opening doors create a real talking point
The Cuorerosso looks phenomenal and while a similar length to the Giulia, is shorter, wider, and far more flamboyant in shape.
The long, pointed bonnet is paired with short overhangs, Alfa's 'scudetto' grille, narrow headlights sculpted to look like scowling eyes, and a backlit Alfa crest.
The aerodynamic, Gran Turismo 'uninterrupted' body swoops backwards to a supercar 'Coda Tronca' (truncated tail) and Scudetto-shaped rear window.
The Coda Tronca houses two circular lights and gives a supercar edge to the back.
Inside, the thin, transverse, flowing dashboard draws inspiration from Alfa's famous 1967 33 Stradale.
It's a similar length to the Giulia, but it is shorter, wider, and far more flamboyant in shape
The long, pointed bonnet is paired with a 'Coda Tronca' (truncated tail)
The interface is minimalist and driver-centric, displaying information only when needed and placing emphasis on physical buttons to preserve driver engagement.
Stellantis' steer-by-wire technology makes an appearance, with the flat-top steering wheel representing a modern interpretation of Alfa's iconic three-spoke wheel.
The steering wheel design also allows the driver a clearer view of the so-called 'Cannocchiale Vivente' dynamic gauge cluster.
This reinterprets Alfa Romeo's traditional twin-pod display.
The Cuorerosso is a concept car only, so don't get your hopes up and head to the dealership now.
But it should inspire a new wave of Alfa Romeo models that may hark back more to the Italian brand's racing and sports saloon heritage than its recent foray into small SUVs.
It has also allowed Alfa Romeo to propose a technical specification for its next-generation Quadrifoglio performance models. This includes a kerb weight of 1,750kg, matched to a hybrid 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine delivering power to all four wheels.
Alfa stated that its future powertrain options across all models will include mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric choices.
Stellantis' steer-by-wire tech is matched with the flat-top steering wheel
Alfa says petrol cars will continue with mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric choices