World premiere at the Paris Motor Show: Alfa Romeo presents the Cuorerosso concept car
13-10-2026 07:51 - EVENTS
Alfa Romeo will present the Cuorerosso concept car at the Paris Motor Show, which takes place in the French capital from October 12 to 18, 2026. The “Red Heart” embodies the future vision of the traditional Italian brand and represents a new expression of its identity.
With Cuorerosso, Alfa Romeo opens a new chapter in its design history. The concept unites style, function, and technology. It is intended neither as a preview of a specific production vehicle nor as a mere design study. Rather, it is meant to serve as a manifesto, inspiring the design of future models and demonstrating how Alfa Romeo integrates electrification into its design language.
Italian design, sportiness and emotion
Cuorerosso reinterprets the characteristics that have always made Alfa Romeo unmistakable: beauty, sportiness, Italian style, emotion, and driving pleasure. Electrified powertrains are intended not only to carry the passion for automobiles into the future but also to further develop performance, design, and the driving experience.
Since its founding in 1910, for Alfa Romeo an automobile has always been more than just a means of transportation. It should evoke emotions, appeal to the senses, and create a special connection between man and machine.
The roots of this relationship lie in Italy's unique automotive culture, which combines style, craftsmanship, and innovation with passion and ingenuity. Within the Stellantis Group, Alfa Romeo occupies the role of the premium sports brand.
Three values shape the concept
Cuorerosso draws its inspiration from three elements closely linked to the brand identity: the Italian design tradition, the pursuit of dynamism and driving pleasure, and the color red.
Red has always stood for passion and performance at Alfa Romeo. The color is deeply rooted in the brand's history and its motorsport successes. With Cuorerosso, a concept has been created that translates these values into a new design language and embodies the identity of Alfa Romeo.
The vehicle was developed by the people who design and manufacture models of the brand for Alfisti all over the world on a daily basis.
The combination of beauty, functionality, technology, and quality forms the basis for the future vision. The platform allows for different powertrain options for key vehicle segments. With a body length of up to 4.70 meters, high-performance models bearing the traditional Quadrifoglio name are also conceivable. Regardless of the powertrain architecture and technology, the result should always be an Alfa Romeo that combines driving pleasure and emotion.
Santo Ficili, CEO of Alfa Romeo and Maserati, comments: “Alfa Romeo has always developed vehicles that not only move people but also evoke emotions. It is this connection between man and machine, borne of a unique culture of Italian style, sportiness, and passion, that unmistakably makes each of our models an Alfa Romeo. With the Cuorerosso concept car, we are carrying this identity into the future – a future open to diverse powertrain solutions, where technology, function, and quality are always at the service of emotions and driving pleasure. This is our vision of Bellezza Necessaria: to develop vehicles designed for people who love to drive sporty cars that are contemporary yet have the potential to become icons.”
Bellezza Necessaria : Beauty arises from function
In the Cuorerosso, aesthetics and function are inextricably linked. The concept follows the principle of Bellezza Necessaria , the "beauty of the necessary." This Alfa Romeo design philosophy dispenses with the superfluous, reduces technical components to their essentials, and assigns a clearly defined function to each element. High-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and carefully selected finishes lend the individual components added value.
This creates a unified design language in which aesthetics, functionality, technology and quality merge seamlessly.
From the initial design to the three-dimensional sculpture
During the development process, the designers at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo switched from initial sketches to three-dimensional modeling after just a few days. Initially, the concept was created from a single block, without wheels, glazing, light signatures, or other details – like a sculpture.
This deliberately radical approach allowed the design team to initially focus entirely on theme, proportions, and volume. Like sculptors, the designers gradually removed material until the final form of the concept became visible.
The result is a monolithic sculpture whose surfaces appear to merge seamlessly like liquid metal. This draws the eye along the entire body. Even when stationary, the Cuorerosso conveys movement and dynamism.
The aim was to create an object that would stand the test of time even beyond its function as an automobile. This quintessentially Italian approach combines an interpretation of performance with a distinctive design language.
Alloy wheels and the legacy of the Quadrifoglio
The forged alloy wheels reinterpret the iconic design of a telephone rotary dial. Six circular elements are arranged in a 2+2+2 pattern on three spokes. Openings and triangular recesses echo the design language of the radiator grille, reduce weight, and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
The titanium-inspired color scheme combines cool tones with warmer metallic reflections. Emblems featuring a four-leaf clover reference the Quadrifoglio and the concept's sporting ambitions. For roughly a century, the four-leaf clover has adorned Alfa Romeo racing cars, and since the 1960s, its sportiest production models as well. With Cuorerosso, this tradition is carried into the future.
Chassis and brakes for sporty driving characteristics
The consistent focus on performance is also evident in the technical components. These include an air suspension and a ceramic braking system from the racing specialist Brembo®.
The interior also follows the guiding principle of dynamism and lightness. A minimalist design and the central role of the driver define the cockpit. The extended center console and dynamically shaped longitudinal volumes in the door panels create contoured individual seats for up to four people. The result is a sporty, spacious interior that also aims to offer a high level of comfort.
A dashboard with design elements reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.
The dashboard is inspired by the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar and its namesake predecessor from the 1960s. Its narrow, horizontal design conveys lightness, stability, and control over the technology. The seamless transition into the door panels makes the interior appear larger.
The digital instrument: Tradition meets new technology
The fully digital central instrument cluster reinterprets the telescopic design typical of classic Alfa Romeo models. Two different display modes are available under the name Cannocchiale Vivente .
Immersivo retains the traditional two-element layout. Concentrato combines both displays into a single unit, reminiscent of the minimalist instrumentation of historic racing cars. The technical basis is the STLA SmartCockpit, a digital platform from the Stellantis Group.
Interaction with the vehicle is reduced to the essentials. Information and controls are only displayed when actually needed. The electronic driving dynamics program offers CRUISE, SPORT, and QUADRIFOGLIO modes. As the driving experience becomes increasingly sporty, the amount of information displayed decreases until only the absolutely necessary data remains.
Direct connection between human and machine
The electronic steering system (steer-by-wire) allows for a reinterpretation of the iconic three-spoke steering wheel. At the same time, a strong physical component is retained: Haptic and acoustic feedback from the mechanical controls is intended to intensify the direct connection between the person at the wheel and the vehicle.
This operating concept is complemented by the Magma display on the center console. The phygital control center combines physical elements such as rotary knobs and toggle switches with a digital touchscreen.
When the Magma Display is activated, Cuorerosso's energy seems to awaken. Red light emerges from within through a lava-inspired structure, transforming the monitor into a pulsating surface.
Together with the ergonomically designed seats, this creates a cockpit in which technology and controls remain discreetly in the background when not in use. When needed, they should be intuitive, immediate, and precise to operate.
A concept for different drive technologies
The Cuorerosso foreshadows the multi-energy approach that will play a central role in Alfa Romeo's future model range. This approach envisions a variety of drive solutions designed to meet different usage requirements without compromising the brand's character. These include fully electric powertrains as well as plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, and full hybrid solutions.
One conceivable option would be a 2.9-liter V6 combustion engine combined with full hybrid technology, Q4 all-wheel drive, an automatic transmission, and a carbon fiber driveshaft. With this approach, Alfa Romeo is putting electrification at the service of driving pleasure and sportiness.
Liquid Ink Red: Red as an expression of passion
The color red is the defining design element of the Cuorerosso. It underlines the passion, sportiness, and identity of Alfa Romeo and shapes the entire perception of the concept.
The bodywork is painted in the new color Liquid Ink Red. This color is created by combining a fine aluminum base with a colored, transparent layer, resulting in exceptional optical depth. Light penetrates the surface and is reflected from within, making the color appear to float between liquid metal and glowing lava.
This effect gives the monolithic bodywork an inner luminosity. In direct light, the surface appears intense and vibrant; from a different viewing angle, it appears black. This creates the impression that the Cuorerosso is not simply painted on the outside, but illuminated by an energy emanating from within.
High-quality materials and Italian craftsmanship
Inside, red is also used in materials and forms that combine traditional craftsmanship with a spirit of experimentation. The rear-opening doors create a dramatic entrance, almost giving the impression of crossing the threshold into the heart of Alfa Romeo.
The cockpit creates a flowing, enveloping atmosphere for the occupants. Nubuck leather and metals in shades inspired by titanium, anthracite, and steel meet modern materials.
This includes recycled leather, which consists of 60 percent waste from the industrial processing of high-quality upholstery leather. The material is thus given a second life without compromising on quality or feel.
The choice of materials also follows the principle of Bellezza Necessaria . Soft, hand-finished nubuck leather from the Poltrona Frau manufactory is used exclusively where it comes into direct contact with passengers. Quality, craftsmanship, and a pleasant feel are thus concentrated in those areas where they are truly perceptible.
Sailing and automotive design: the partnership with Luna Rossa
Another piece of material refers to the partnership between Alfa Romeo and Luna Rossa, the Italian team in the America's Cup sailing competition.
The dashboard of the concept car is covered with a lightweight, transparent monofilament fabric, the same type used in sailors' clothing. Elsewhere, the designers combine recycled carbon fiber with red resins, creating an almost organic-looking material structure.
The meticulous selection of materials and workmanship are evident down to the smallest detail. For example, the leather headrest covers are manufactured using an elaborate process that underscores the brand's craftsmanship – a quality also reflected in the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar.
A custom-made bag is integrated into the dashboard on the passenger side, which can be taken with you when exiting the vehicle. Its fastening straps also serve as carrying handles. This detail, too, reflects the philosophy of Bellezza Necessaria , according to which every component should fulfill a clearly defined function.
Light as part of the driving experience
A color gradient from light to dark red emphasizes the focus on the person behind the wheel. The ambient lighting also serves more than a decorative function: it becomes part of the interaction with the occupants and conveys different information depending on the selected driving mode.
In QUADRIFOGLIO mode, for example, the lighting is dimmed to reduce distractions. At the same time, four points of light in the air vents symbolically recreate the cross from the Alfa Romeo logo.
Thus, color, materials and light combine to create a complete experience that captures the energy of lava and underlines the concept's central theme: Cuorerosso, the "Red Heart", seems to pulsate.
Without heart we would be nothing but machines – with Cuorerosso, Alfa Romeo translates this idea into a vision that combines design, technology and driving pleasure.
With Cuorerosso, Alfa Romeo opens a new chapter in its design history. The concept unites style, function, and technology. It is intended neither as a preview of a specific production vehicle nor as a mere design study. Rather, it is meant to serve as a manifesto, inspiring the design of future models and demonstrating how Alfa Romeo integrates electrification into its design language.
Italian design, sportiness and emotion
Cuorerosso reinterprets the characteristics that have always made Alfa Romeo unmistakable: beauty, sportiness, Italian style, emotion, and driving pleasure. Electrified powertrains are intended not only to carry the passion for automobiles into the future but also to further develop performance, design, and the driving experience.
Since its founding in 1910, for Alfa Romeo an automobile has always been more than just a means of transportation. It should evoke emotions, appeal to the senses, and create a special connection between man and machine.
The roots of this relationship lie in Italy's unique automotive culture, which combines style, craftsmanship, and innovation with passion and ingenuity. Within the Stellantis Group, Alfa Romeo occupies the role of the premium sports brand.
Three values shape the concept
Cuorerosso draws its inspiration from three elements closely linked to the brand identity: the Italian design tradition, the pursuit of dynamism and driving pleasure, and the color red.
Red has always stood for passion and performance at Alfa Romeo. The color is deeply rooted in the brand's history and its motorsport successes. With Cuorerosso, a concept has been created that translates these values into a new design language and embodies the identity of Alfa Romeo.
The vehicle was developed by the people who design and manufacture models of the brand for Alfisti all over the world on a daily basis.
The combination of beauty, functionality, technology, and quality forms the basis for the future vision. The platform allows for different powertrain options for key vehicle segments. With a body length of up to 4.70 meters, high-performance models bearing the traditional Quadrifoglio name are also conceivable. Regardless of the powertrain architecture and technology, the result should always be an Alfa Romeo that combines driving pleasure and emotion.
Santo Ficili, CEO of Alfa Romeo and Maserati, comments: “Alfa Romeo has always developed vehicles that not only move people but also evoke emotions. It is this connection between man and machine, borne of a unique culture of Italian style, sportiness, and passion, that unmistakably makes each of our models an Alfa Romeo. With the Cuorerosso concept car, we are carrying this identity into the future – a future open to diverse powertrain solutions, where technology, function, and quality are always at the service of emotions and driving pleasure. This is our vision of Bellezza Necessaria: to develop vehicles designed for people who love to drive sporty cars that are contemporary yet have the potential to become icons.”
Bellezza Necessaria : Beauty arises from function
In the Cuorerosso, aesthetics and function are inextricably linked. The concept follows the principle of Bellezza Necessaria , the "beauty of the necessary." This Alfa Romeo design philosophy dispenses with the superfluous, reduces technical components to their essentials, and assigns a clearly defined function to each element. High-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and carefully selected finishes lend the individual components added value.
This creates a unified design language in which aesthetics, functionality, technology and quality merge seamlessly.
From the initial design to the three-dimensional sculpture
During the development process, the designers at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo switched from initial sketches to three-dimensional modeling after just a few days. Initially, the concept was created from a single block, without wheels, glazing, light signatures, or other details – like a sculpture.
This deliberately radical approach allowed the design team to initially focus entirely on theme, proportions, and volume. Like sculptors, the designers gradually removed material until the final form of the concept became visible.
The result is a monolithic sculpture whose surfaces appear to merge seamlessly like liquid metal. This draws the eye along the entire body. Even when stationary, the Cuorerosso conveys movement and dynamism.
The aim was to create an object that would stand the test of time even beyond its function as an automobile. This quintessentially Italian approach combines an interpretation of performance with a distinctive design language.
Alloy wheels and the legacy of the Quadrifoglio
The forged alloy wheels reinterpret the iconic design of a telephone rotary dial. Six circular elements are arranged in a 2+2+2 pattern on three spokes. Openings and triangular recesses echo the design language of the radiator grille, reduce weight, and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
The titanium-inspired color scheme combines cool tones with warmer metallic reflections. Emblems featuring a four-leaf clover reference the Quadrifoglio and the concept's sporting ambitions. For roughly a century, the four-leaf clover has adorned Alfa Romeo racing cars, and since the 1960s, its sportiest production models as well. With Cuorerosso, this tradition is carried into the future.
Chassis and brakes for sporty driving characteristics
The consistent focus on performance is also evident in the technical components. These include an air suspension and a ceramic braking system from the racing specialist Brembo®.
The interior also follows the guiding principle of dynamism and lightness. A minimalist design and the central role of the driver define the cockpit. The extended center console and dynamically shaped longitudinal volumes in the door panels create contoured individual seats for up to four people. The result is a sporty, spacious interior that also aims to offer a high level of comfort.
A dashboard with design elements reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.
The dashboard is inspired by the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar and its namesake predecessor from the 1960s. Its narrow, horizontal design conveys lightness, stability, and control over the technology. The seamless transition into the door panels makes the interior appear larger.
The digital instrument: Tradition meets new technology
The fully digital central instrument cluster reinterprets the telescopic design typical of classic Alfa Romeo models. Two different display modes are available under the name Cannocchiale Vivente .
Immersivo retains the traditional two-element layout. Concentrato combines both displays into a single unit, reminiscent of the minimalist instrumentation of historic racing cars. The technical basis is the STLA SmartCockpit, a digital platform from the Stellantis Group.
Interaction with the vehicle is reduced to the essentials. Information and controls are only displayed when actually needed. The electronic driving dynamics program offers CRUISE, SPORT, and QUADRIFOGLIO modes. As the driving experience becomes increasingly sporty, the amount of information displayed decreases until only the absolutely necessary data remains.
Direct connection between human and machine
The electronic steering system (steer-by-wire) allows for a reinterpretation of the iconic three-spoke steering wheel. At the same time, a strong physical component is retained: Haptic and acoustic feedback from the mechanical controls is intended to intensify the direct connection between the person at the wheel and the vehicle.
This operating concept is complemented by the Magma display on the center console. The phygital control center combines physical elements such as rotary knobs and toggle switches with a digital touchscreen.
When the Magma Display is activated, Cuorerosso's energy seems to awaken. Red light emerges from within through a lava-inspired structure, transforming the monitor into a pulsating surface.
Together with the ergonomically designed seats, this creates a cockpit in which technology and controls remain discreetly in the background when not in use. When needed, they should be intuitive, immediate, and precise to operate.
A concept for different drive technologies
The Cuorerosso foreshadows the multi-energy approach that will play a central role in Alfa Romeo's future model range. This approach envisions a variety of drive solutions designed to meet different usage requirements without compromising the brand's character. These include fully electric powertrains as well as plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, and full hybrid solutions.
One conceivable option would be a 2.9-liter V6 combustion engine combined with full hybrid technology, Q4 all-wheel drive, an automatic transmission, and a carbon fiber driveshaft. With this approach, Alfa Romeo is putting electrification at the service of driving pleasure and sportiness.
Liquid Ink Red: Red as an expression of passion
The color red is the defining design element of the Cuorerosso. It underlines the passion, sportiness, and identity of Alfa Romeo and shapes the entire perception of the concept.
The bodywork is painted in the new color Liquid Ink Red. This color is created by combining a fine aluminum base with a colored, transparent layer, resulting in exceptional optical depth. Light penetrates the surface and is reflected from within, making the color appear to float between liquid metal and glowing lava.
This effect gives the monolithic bodywork an inner luminosity. In direct light, the surface appears intense and vibrant; from a different viewing angle, it appears black. This creates the impression that the Cuorerosso is not simply painted on the outside, but illuminated by an energy emanating from within.
High-quality materials and Italian craftsmanship
Inside, red is also used in materials and forms that combine traditional craftsmanship with a spirit of experimentation. The rear-opening doors create a dramatic entrance, almost giving the impression of crossing the threshold into the heart of Alfa Romeo.
The cockpit creates a flowing, enveloping atmosphere for the occupants. Nubuck leather and metals in shades inspired by titanium, anthracite, and steel meet modern materials.
This includes recycled leather, which consists of 60 percent waste from the industrial processing of high-quality upholstery leather. The material is thus given a second life without compromising on quality or feel.
The choice of materials also follows the principle of Bellezza Necessaria . Soft, hand-finished nubuck leather from the Poltrona Frau manufactory is used exclusively where it comes into direct contact with passengers. Quality, craftsmanship, and a pleasant feel are thus concentrated in those areas where they are truly perceptible.
Sailing and automotive design: the partnership with Luna Rossa
Another piece of material refers to the partnership between Alfa Romeo and Luna Rossa, the Italian team in the America's Cup sailing competition.
The dashboard of the concept car is covered with a lightweight, transparent monofilament fabric, the same type used in sailors' clothing. Elsewhere, the designers combine recycled carbon fiber with red resins, creating an almost organic-looking material structure.
The meticulous selection of materials and workmanship are evident down to the smallest detail. For example, the leather headrest covers are manufactured using an elaborate process that underscores the brand's craftsmanship – a quality also reflected in the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar.
A custom-made bag is integrated into the dashboard on the passenger side, which can be taken with you when exiting the vehicle. Its fastening straps also serve as carrying handles. This detail, too, reflects the philosophy of Bellezza Necessaria , according to which every component should fulfill a clearly defined function.
Light as part of the driving experience
A color gradient from light to dark red emphasizes the focus on the person behind the wheel. The ambient lighting also serves more than a decorative function: it becomes part of the interaction with the occupants and conveys different information depending on the selected driving mode.
In QUADRIFOGLIO mode, for example, the lighting is dimmed to reduce distractions. At the same time, four points of light in the air vents symbolically recreate the cross from the Alfa Romeo logo.
Thus, color, materials and light combine to create a complete experience that captures the energy of lava and underlines the concept's central theme: Cuorerosso, the "Red Heart", seems to pulsate.
Without heart we would be nothing but machines – with Cuorerosso, Alfa Romeo translates this idea into a vision that combines design, technology and driving pleasure.
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