Alfa Romeo reportedly wants to launch an electric car under the model name Brennero as a spin-off of the Jeep Avenger next year. While the Brennero will probably still be available with several types of drive, the successor generation of another Alfa model will only be purely electric.
Alfa Romeo is considering a comeback of the Mito small car, which was discontinued three years ago, as a purely electric model. There will probably be a major conceptual change compared to the combustion Mito – and familiar technology.
The Stellantis subsidiary Alfa Romeo has presented its first model that is primarily offered with electrified drives called the ‘Tonale’. However, the first versions are still hybrids. But that will soon be over: from 2025, all new Alfa models will be purely electric.
At the presentation of its business figures for the first half of the year, Stellantis gave new details on its electrification strategy. Accordingly, DS Automobiles will only launch pure BEVs on the market from 2024. Alfa Romeo is to become an all-electric car brand from 2027.
IT service provider Atos has announced that it will fully electrify its nearly 5,500 company cars by the end of 2024. Atos has chosen Renault and Stellantis as its main suppliers of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
PSA and FCA have now completed their merger, paving the way for the creation of Stellantis. The new group’s ordinary shares will start trading on Euronext in Paris and Mercato Telematico Azionario in Milan on 18 January, and on the New York Stock Exchange on 19 January, each under the symbol “STLA”.
Fiat Chrysler plans to invest 755 million zloty (around 166 million euros) in its plant in Tychy in southern Poland to produce hybrid and electric cars for Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands starting next year.
The planned merger of the car companies PSA and FCA under the name Stellantis will apparently be able to rely on three electric car platforms. In addition to the existing platforms eCMP and eVMP, according to a new report from Italy, a base developed by FCA will also trade for larger electric cars.
The planned merger of the car companies PSA and FCA under the name Stellantis has apparently already led to a decision about sharing vehicle platforms: According to an article in the Spanish media, FCA is abandoning its developments for B-segment vehicles.
The Italian tuning and racing team Romeo Ferraris has announced the development of an electric version of the Alfa Romeo Giulia for the electric touring car racing series ETCR, which will start next year.
It is looking like Fiat Chrysler might buy the use of a Tesla technology for its brands’ electric cars. During a conversation with stock analysts, FCA boss Mike Manley revealed that his company was considering this option. It would not be the first partnership between the two companies.
Fiat Chrysler has released an investment plan, which details a sum of more than five billion euros to be invested in their Italian production facilities by 2021. The plan is to make them fit for electric car making.
The era of Sergio Marchionne is nearing its end, but before the head of Fiat-Chrysler quits his job next year, he wants to ready all brands for an electrified future. His 5-year plan calls for a move away from diesel and into electric and hybrid models.
Alfa Romeo is developing a coupé version of its Giulia car with a hybrid motor, which is set to be released next year. The company plans two different motors, which will feature tech similar to the KERS used in Formula 1 racing.
Fiat Chrysler wants to phase out all diesel models over the next four years, according to a report by the Financial Times. This includes all passenger cars made by FCA labels Fiat, Chrysler, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Jeep.
Tesla falls short: Tesla delivered 14,370 EVs in Q2 but falls 15 percent short of its target of 17,000 units as 9,745 Model S and 4,625 Model X made it to consumers with a remaining 5,150 still in transit. The delay is being blamed on the extreme production ramp. However, with just 18,345 electric vehicles produced in Fremont, Tesla has also missed its production guidance of 20,000 for the last quarter. insideevs.com, electrek.co, tesla.com
EVs covered in solar panels: Hanergy unveiled four solar powered concept cars in China. The EVs are coated with thin-film solar cells, that gather enough energy for 80 km over six hours in the sun. For the full range of 350 km, the models can be charged at EV charging stations. Production could start as early as 2020. Hanergy also made a deal with Foton to develop solar panels for electric buses. carnewschina.com, forbes.com
Alfa Romeo PHEV? Alfa Romeo is looking to create a mid-size executive saloon. Car Wow speculates the possible vehicle will be named Alfetta and will basically be a longer version of the Guilia. Likely to launch in 2018, the Alfetta may feature a plug-in hybrid version a little later. carwow.co.uk
Renault EV concept: The French carmaker will bring a potentially electric concept to the Paris Motor Show in October that is a preview of its future design direction, Autocar reports. Details have not been released but the Renault is positioned as a BMW X4 rival. autocar.co.uk
Buemi named champion: Sebastien Buemi has emerged the FIA Formula E champion with a total 155 points, only narrowly topping Lucas di Grassi with 153. Both final races in London’s Battersea Park were won by Nicolas Prost of team Renault, who thus came in third in the overall rating. youtube.com, electriccarsreport.com, electricautosport.com
Ioniq price confirmed: Hyundai has confirmed the UK price tags on their upcoming 2016 Ioniq vehicles. The hybrid will start at 19,995 pounds and the electric models at 28,995 pounds. The price of the plug-in hybrid version will be revealed closer to the car’s launch in 2017. autocar.co.uk
Production start: BYD has kicked off production at its newest facility in Chinese Qingdao. There, the manufacturer will build 1,000 electric buses per year and is said to increase production output to annually 5,000 units in the future. chinadaily.com
Bentley Barnato: Bentley’s upcoming EXP 10 Speed 6-based sports car is set to arrive in 2019. The car, expected to be named the Bentley Barnato, could also be offered as a pure electric version. autoexpress.co.uk
Honda CR-Z dead: Honda is killing their hybrid CR-Z, in order to “significantly expand its sales of electrified vehicles” by focusing on the 2017 Accord Hybrid and the Clarity range. As reported, the Clarity will be available as a fuel cell, electric and plug-in hybrid variant. caranddriver.com
German premiums approved: The EU Commission has confirmed Germany’s planned premiums for EVs as a permissible subsidy. German EV and PHEV buyers can now apply for 4,000 and 3,000 euros in funding, retrospectively. The programme, put in place retroactively from Mai 18th, will continue until 2019 or until the earmarked 600m euros are spend – whichever comes first. bmwi.de, wiwo.de (articles in German)
Romeo rivals BMW: Auto Express snapped some images exclusive images of Alfa Romeo’s MBW 5 series rival. The new model will also be available as a plug-in hybrid that should hit the market in 2018. autoexpress.co.uk
Solar-powered Prius: The next generation Toyota Prius PHEV can be recharged with a built-in rooftop solar panel, at least in Japan and in Europe, as the current model does not pass U.S. safety regulations yet. Moreover, Toyota has not announced whether the panel will be standard or offered for add-on. autonews.com, carscoops.com
Video tip: In his newest episode of Fully Charged, Robert Llewellyn got in the passenger seat a fuel cell car made in the UK, the Rasa, as he visited British start-up Riversimple. It safe to say that he was sold their idea and the vehicle. youtube.com via insideevs.com
Click tip: The Alfa Romeo Trionfo (meaning triumph) design study was thought up by Sebastiano Ciarcià. And the creator not only went for a sleek design, but also four electric motors – one for each wheel. carscoops.com
Dirty money for clean transport: U.S. President Barack Obama proposed a ten dollar fee per barrel of oil to be paid by petrol companies. The money would be used to increase investments in clean transportation infrastructure by about 50 percent. Measures include investments in clean and autonomous vehicles, as well as high-speed rail and clean fuelling infrastructure. greencarcongress.com, usatoday.com, insideevs.com
European Volt? It looks like GM will launch a Volt designed for the European market. At least that is what spy shots of an updated Opel/Vauxhall/Holden Ampera suggest. While camouflaged, the model seems to have a new front and a slightly amended Opel logo. electrek.co, transportevolved.com, caradvice.com.au (Australia)
The people’s EV: Volkswagen is working on an economy electric car to take the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3 head on. Range of the unnamed electric object is said to be at least 300 km. While the EV will share technology and the MEB platform with the upcoming electric Golf, VW might launch this new model even sooner and at a lower price. motoring.com.au
BMW plans PHEV sub-brand: As the German carmaker continues to add plug-in hybrid models to its portfolio, BMW is looking to bring them all together under the iPerformance label. Inspired by the i-series, the sub-brand could also make trim levels for hybrids redundant, Business Car reports. businesscar.co.uk
Panamera update: Spy shots reveal another member of the growing Porsche family. The Panamera Shooting Brake comes with a practical hatchback. Porsche has not yet revealed whether or not it will offer the estate version with plug-in hybrid technology. motortrend.com, worldcarfans.com
Alfa Romeo goes hybrid: The Italian brand plans to expand its line-up between 2017 and 2020. Alfa Romeo will then include hybrid models for the first time. An SUV is likely to be offered as mild-hybrid, as well as plug-in hybrid. Another hybrid midsize sedan is in the cards, too. motor1.com