Alfa Romeo’s V6 Engine Won’t Be Killed Off By Incoming Emissions Regulations

Euro7 is looming large over the automotive industry, with an expectation for the new emissions regulations to change the landscape dramatically. Although the exact nature of the rules isn’t publicly known, we can be certain that it’ll be difficult for a lot of existing larger-capacity engines to comply. Many have already been culled in the lead-up to EU7’s 2025 introduction.

Alfa Romeo’s twin-turbo V6 is one we’d have considered to be on the ‘at-risk’ list, but thankfully, it looks like it'll live on. Asked by Autocar if the engine will continue to be used, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said: “The answer is yes, because I’m expecting the result of Euro 7 [proposals] this year. I would like something [compliant with] the [new] regulation to be interesting.”

Alfa is going EV only sooner than most, currently targeting a fully electric range by 2027, so it’s good news that the 503bhp V6 is likely to live on until then. The Giulia Quadrifoglio and Stelvio Quadrifoglio are both high points for Alfa Romeo in the last few decades, so it makes sense for them to be strung out as long as possible.

Away from those models, the engine powers the 33 Stradale supercar, where it’s pumped up to 620bhp. It’s limited to 33 units and has a rumoured price tag well into seven figures, though, so it’s not exactly an accessible way to enjoy the V6 in its twilight years.

The 2.9-litre unit, which is thought to have Ferrari origins, is, in a way, deployed beyond the Alfa Romeo brand, too. Maserati’s Nettuno V6 is related to the Alfa engine, although neither manufacturer has confirmed this. Maser’s version is used to power the MC20 in dry sump form plus the Grecale SUV (which sits on a modified Alfa Giorgio platform) and the new GranTurismo.