Alfa Romeo has confirmed the reborn GTV coupe could become a reality in 2026, with design inspiration from an unusual source.
Autocar reports the blocky SZ will form the inspiration for the next GTV, which will take on electric sports cars from the likes of Audi and BMW.
“This wasn’t a beautiful car, we all know,” head of Alfa Romeo design Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos told Autocar.
“But there is a lot we can take from its distinctiveness and independence of spirit when we think about designing a coupé for the electric age.
“I loved its wedge profile, its square tail, and the way the dark glasshouse just bubbles out of this great mass of body. It’s a brutal design, but such a special, impactful one – and we need to emulate it if we can.”
Alfa Romeo has long flirted with the idea of a next-generation GTV, but hasn’t ever found then funds to actually bring it to life.
If the success of the brand continues like it has over the past 18 months, according to Autocar, it’s likely we will see a return sometime around 2026-2027.
Reports from 2021 revealed Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato was “very interested” in bringing back the GTV, however the company is yet to officially confirm if it will happen.
The brand has previously teased a GTV silhouette and revealed it could produce over 447kW of power from its all-wheel drive electric powertrain, a 50/50 weight distribution, and a four seat layout.
The brand hasn’t released much more information about the born-again sports car, however it’s expected the car may reclaim its GTV name plate.
Alfa Romeo may also look to revive the Alfetta nameplate, or adopt a new name altogether. It could take the shape of a coupe, or a five-door liftback to directly rival the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4.
It’s expected to use a version of the STLA skateboard platform which will underpin various electric cars under the Stellantis umbrella.
“The truth is, we have even more restrictions and challenges with skateboard platforms than we did with ICE ones,” Mr Mesonero-Romanos told Autocar.
“We have to fight for every few millimetres when it comes to roofline height and hip point – and that’s what we’re doing. Some fights we win; others, the engineers win. But we have to be prepared to fight for every car.”
The carmaker had previously planned the return of a GTV rival during its time under the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles umbrella.
Shortly after Stellantis merged FCA with Groupe PSA, then-FCA CEO Mike Manley canned the GTV during an earnings call in 2019 so the company could focus on its upcoming small SUVs.
