8 CAlfa Romeo’s been worryingly quiet as
of late. We haven’t had a new production
debut from the Italian brand since the
Stelvio SUV in 2016, but we’ve heard
plenty of rumors regarding the future.
For one, the Tonale concept, which
previews a sub-Stelvio crossover, is all
but inevitable. But we’re more focused
on rumors of a forthcoming GTV coupe
and the return of the range-topping
8C super-GT. The former is said to be
an all-wheel-drive coupe based on the
existing Giulia platform, packing 600
hp from a hybridized twin-turbo V-6,
at least according to a slide from Alfa’s
presentation on its five-year plan.
We’re big fans of the current Giulia
Quadrifoglio, and a hard-charging
two-door would suit the platform
well, especially if the reports of torque
vectoring and 50/50 weight distribution
are true. Slated for a 2022 release, the
GTV would duke it out with the future
BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S.In the same five-year plan, Alfa
revealed that an 8C (below) was in
the works. The original 2008 8C was a
pretty, limited production mishmash of
Maserati, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo parts
that was allegedly better to look at and
listen to than actually drive. The 2022
8C will be mid-engine, likely built
around a carbon-fiber monocoque like
the smaller 4C’s. About 700 hp is said
to come from a hybridized twin-turbo
V-8, presumably plucked from Maserati
or Ferrari’s fleet, and sent to all four
wheels like the aforementioned GTV.
For those who can’t afford to drop
six figures or need a bit more space,
the unrevealed 2021 Tonale crossover
should scratch the Alfa itch. Expect it
to be a scaled-down Stelvio, packing
the same 2.0-liter turbo-four and
eight-speed automatic transmission.
Prices should undercut the Stelvio, as
well, likely starting somewhere in the
mid-$30,000 range. Front-wheel drive
and electrification are possibilities,
considering the Tonale’s market and
price point. Look for a debut sometime
later this year or early 2020.2021
ASTON
MARTIN
VALHALLA
ON SALE:
Late 2021
BASE PRICE:
$1.1 million (est)2021
ALFA ROMEO
TONALE
ON SALE:
Mid 2020 (est)
BASE PRICE:
$35,000 (est)Valhalla isn’t just the stuff of Norse
legend—it’s the name of Aston Martin’s
Valkyrie-inspired road car. Built around
a turbocharged V-6 hybrid drive system,
Aston has promised the Valhalla will
surpass first-gen hypercars like the
Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari
in terms of power. Still about two years
from production, the Valhalla willborrow from Aston’s existing ultra-
high-performance track cars, nabbing
the Vulcan’s sealed oil system for better
lubrication under g-load, while the
chassis and bodywork are all carbon
fiber. An adaptive suspension will be the
key to helping the AM-RB 003 make the
transition to road-worthy Valhalla.
Aston Martin’s future isn’t all
hypercars, however, and it’s not even all
Aston Martin. Its Lagonda subbrand is
making a return, and it’s likely to do so
first with something like the Lagonda
All-Terrain Concept. We expect to learn
more as 2022 draws nearer.
But the gang from Gaydon won’t leave
it there. The next Vanquish is expected
to go mid-engine. Instead of a carbon-
fiber chassis and body, expect bonded
aluminum to be the main medium. ALFA ROMEO 8C: ANDREI AVARVARII