Alfa Romeo To Cash In On High-Performance Hybrid Hype

Alfa Romeo reportedly has an eye on expanding its SUV lineup and adding hybrid propulsion as a powertrain option as it prepares to lay the next plank of its future in North America.

According to the UK's Autocar magazine, Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne will next month announce the brand's plan to roll out a mid-size crossover to position above the Stelvio, and a coupe version of the Giulia sport sedan, both of which will supposedly be offered with hybrid powertrains.

These hybrids will not be out for fuel economy supremacy. Instead, they will use electric motors as power adders and boast a 48-volt electrical system like the one Mercedes-Benz employs in its AMG 53 series mid-size sedans, coupes and convertibles.

In the future upsized Alfa crossover, that electrical system will run an electric turbocharger as well as the electric motor that will share in propulsion duties.

Autocar says the hybrid drive systems will be based on the technology that went into the LaFerrari hybrid hypercar and will generate about 350 hp when working with Alfa's 2.0L turbo four-cylinder and a significant 641 hp in concert with a 2.9L turbo V6.

Both the Giulia coupe and new SUV model are expected to reach the marketplace in 2019.