Alfa Romeo wowed audiences as it unveiled its Cuorerosso concept car at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. The Italian brand has managed to create a concept car that both captures its historical spirit and showcases its vision for the future.
Alfa has said it will lean into the electrification and hybrid side of motoring in the future. The Cuorerosso concept has been created to show that despite venturing into modern technology, it can still be unmistakably Alfa Romeo and “arouse emotions, ignite the senses and create a deep bond with the driver”.
Exterior Design
And it has certainly done that, as on the face of it, this looks like one of the most stunning concepts of all time and something that would no doubt sell in huge numbers if it were released tomorrow.
The classic ‘Coda Tronca’ Alfa Romeo aerodynamic design is evident when viewing the Cuorerosso from the side, while at the front, the Scudetto is reinterpreted for a modern audience. This sits in the middle of the grille, which is made up of a collection of small backlit triangular elements mixed with the historic Cross and Biscione symbols.
At the rear, the clean surface has logos integrated into the bodywork — also seen with the Alfa Romeo badge at the front — and features a Scudetto-shaped rear window, as well as two circular lights. The concept is also brought into the future by doing away with traditional door handles, with doors opening via a touch control on the roof. Everything is very aerodynamically clean, including the refined rear-view mirrors, which also feature a sequence of inlays embellished with the Italian flag.
Despite its contemporary feel, the concept retains the Italian spirit of Alfa Romeo, and room has been left for the legendary Quadrifoglio symbol.
‘Multi-energy approach’ Powertrains
On the surface, the 2+2 coupé has the Italian style and Alfa Romeo language that helped garner so many fans throughout its 116-year history. However, underneath is a look to the future, with Alfa anticipating a “multi-energy approach” ready to include full electric, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and full-hybrid solutions, potentially extending the car to 4.7m long. So for those not yet ready to ditch petrol power entirely, a 2.9-litre V6 full-hybrid powertrain with Q4 all-wheel drive should cater for that appetite, with the brand saying it is there to “not dilute the Alfa Romeo character”.
Interior
Inside, Alfa Romeo says the Cuorerosso “conveys the same idea of dynamism”, interpreted through “simplicity and the centrality of the driver”. The sporty bucket seats have been given a more modern refresh, while a lengthened centre console and dashboard draw inspiration from the architecture of the 1967 and newly launched 33 Stradale. Interaction with it is reduced to the essentials to enhance the driving experience, with information and controls only being shown when completely necessary. This will be further developed through the brand’s STLA SmartCockpit, a digital platform designed to offer an increasingly intuitive, personalised and evolving in-car experience.
This is also seen through the various driving experience choices — Cruise, Sport and Quadrifoglio — which adjust the interaction between the driver and car according to the level of engagement required.
Everything is geared towards the driver through its new ‘Cannocchiale Vivente’ interface, which operates in two element settings — ‘Immersivo’ and ‘Concentrato’. ‘Immersivo’ retains the traditional two-element setting, while the ‘Concentrato’ configuration sees the two dials physically merge into one, throwing back to the instrumentation seen in Alfa racing cars of the past.
All about red
Alfa Romeo has leaned heavily on the colour red with the Cuorerosso concept, using a new Liquid Ink red colour for the exterior paint, which gives a “liquid metal and incandescent lava” look when hit by light. This carries on into the interior, through the surfaces and upholstery, while the centre console activates with a red light when brought to life. There’s even something called the ‘Magma Display’, a sophisticated phygital control centre positioned on the central tunnel, which combines a digital touch surface with a rotary dial, drive mode selector and toggle controls.
“Fuelled by a unique culture of the Italian spirit, sportiness and passion”
Santo Ficili, Alfa Romeo and Maserati CEO said: “Alfa Romeo has always created cars that are capable not only of moving people, but of arousing something within them. It is this human-machine connection, fuelled by a unique culture of the Italian spirit, sportiness and passion, which makes each of our cars an Alfa Romeo.
With Cuorerosso, we bring this identity into the future, one open to different energy solutions, in which technology, function and quality are always at the service of emotions and driving pleasure. This is our idea of Bellezza Necessaria: to create cars designed for those who love to drive, which can interpret their time and simultaneously become icons.”
Alfa Romeo displays full lineup at Paris Motor Show
Alongside the new Cuorerosso concept on Alfa Romeo’s stand at the Paris Motor Show is the brand’s full current lineup, which includes Junior, Tonale, Giulia and Stelvio models, as well as the 33 Stradale covered in a livery that pays homage to the French capital. There’s also the legendary 1966 ‘Duetto’ Spider straight from the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, which has been celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
Could the Cuorerosso be joining them in the future as a full production car?
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Alfa Romeo