The future Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV, planned for 2025, continues to fuel speculation, particularly regarding its engines. After having detailed the STLA Large platform and the other characteristics of this model in a previous article, a new doubt has just arisen: could the Stelvio adopt a 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine?so far reserved for certain Jeep, RAM and Dodge models in the United States?
History of the 6-cylinder in-line engine
The GME T6 engine, a 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine developed by FCA before the merger with PSA, has sparked heated debate. This engine, nicknamed “Hurricane”, could be an interesting alternative for Alfa Romeo, offering powers varying between 420 hp and 510 hp depending on the version. It is currently used in the United States in models like the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, but until now Stellantis' European vehicles, like those from Alfa Romeo and Maserati, have been limited to V6 engines or 4-cylinder engines, due to constraints strict environmental standards on CO2 emissions.
The idea of adopting a 6-cylinder engine on the Stelvio could surpriseespecially considering current trends in electric and hybrid vehicles. But Quattroruote, an Italian media outlet, recently suggested that this engine could appear on the future Stelvio. Such an engine could offer exceptional performance, such as high torque and acceleration worthy of the sportiness of Alfa Romeo, but the question of CO2 emissions remains central.
Incompatible CO2 emissions
The GME T6 engine, while impressive in terms of performance, displays high CO2 emissionsparticularly in models like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, where it exceeds 300 g/km of CO2. For such an engine to be viable on the European market, these emissions would have to be reduced considerably, ideally below 100 g/km. This would require a plug-in hybrid version (PHEV), but no official announcement seems to indicate that Stellantis plans to offer this technology for the GME T6.
In the European context, where regulations on CO2 emissions are increasingly strict, it is difficult to imagine such a polluting heat engine. On the other hand, on the North American market, where standards are less restrictive, this type of engine could have a future, particularly for the high-end versions of the Stelvio.
If the GME T6 were to be used in an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it would likely be combined with plug-in hybrid technology to reduce its environmental impact. A 6-cylinder in-line PHEV engine would make it possible to reconcile performance and compliance with emissions standards, while meeting the growing demand for hybrid vehicles.
What prospects for Europe?
It is unlikely that the GME T6 engine, in its thermal version, will be integrated into the European Stelvio range. Stellantis' general trend is to favor hybrid and electric engines, with the STLA Large platform already prepared to accommodate 100% electric versions of the Stelvio.
An engine that we would rather expect on the Stelvio is the 1.6L EP6, a 1.6L 4-cylinder PHEV engine. This engine is already used in models like the Peugeot 3008 or the 408 PHEV. It is an engine particularly suited to Europe, and remember that Stellantis plans to produce it in the United States. To be continued!
