From Fiat to Maserati: 36 series will be electrified
From the year 2030, Stellantis will only offer electric vehicles in Europe. But until then, the automaker will strongly sell petrol cars that at least have some electric driving capability. This brings more weight and higher costs, but consumption decreases.
The multi-brand group Stellantis will significantly expand its offer of passenger car models with hybrid powertrains in the near future. A total of 30 series will be available in the EU markets this year with the new powertrain solution, which combines a 1.2-liter gasoline engine with a 21 kW/28 PS strong E-Motor and a 0.9 kWh large 48-volt battery. Six more series will follow by 2026. Except for a few exceptions with optional manual transmissions, the hybrid system will be coupled with the latest eDCT generation, a Six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. According to Francesco Cimmino, Stellantis' Chief Engineer for Hybrid Powertrain Systems, this transmission will be the heart of the powertrain.
Is it a mild or full hybrid system? Christian Müller, responsible for SVP Propulsion Systems EMEA and Joint-Venture Coordination at Stellantis, leaves out the prefixes and speaks of a hybrid. As an alternative in the hybrid portfolio, Stellantis will in the future also offer higher positioned Plug-in Hybrids with high voltage technology and adapted eDCT with over 80 kilometers of electric range. The less complex 48-volt hybrid system allows sailing up to 130 km/h and up to a kilometer of pure electric driving.
More Technology - More Weight, More Costs, Less Fuel
The additional technology adds some weight over classical gasoline engines, amounting to more than 100 kilograms. An Opel Corsa Hybrid, for instance, comes to around 1.2 tons in total weight. In return, the technology leads to a fuel consumption reduction of up to 20 percent. According to Cimmino, this is a "Rightsize-Solution".
This, however, requires the customer to pay more. According to Müller, this amounts to around 2000 Euro compared to the base gasoline engine. In return, the buyer gets a automatic transmission, E-Boost and the fuel consumption reduction. Initially, models in the B-, C- and lower D-segments will be offered with the hybrid drive. Later, the powertrain technology could also be used in smaller series. Among the series are Alfa Romeo Junior/Tonale, all versions of Citroen C3, C4 and C5, DS 3 and 4, Fiat Panda and 600, Jeep Avenger, Renegade and Compass, Lancia Ypsilon, Maserati Grecale, Opel Corsa, Astra, Mokka, Frontera and Grandland, Peugeot 208, 308, 408, 2008, 3008 and 5008.
Sales growth of 41 percent expected
Stellantis expects sales of its hybrid vehicles to increase by 41 percent this year compared to 2023. The production capacities of all 11 involved production sites amount to approximately 1.2 million eDCT.
Stellantis' hybrid offensive is also a clear statement that the company intends to sell gasoline engines in the coming years. This is a response to the high demand for hybrid models from the customer side. At the same time, Müller emphasizes that Stellantis will continue to adhere to its electrification goals, CO2 reduction goals, and the expansion of the BEV offering. Accordingly, all PCG sales in Europe and 50 percent of PCG and LCV sales in the USA should be BEVs by 2030.
The upcoming hybrid models from Stellantis, including Opel Models like the Corsa, will significantly increase in weight due to the additional technology, exceeding 1.2 tons for an Opel Corsa Hybrid. Despite the added weight and increased costs, these hybrid cars offer a fuel consumption reduction of up to 20%. Stellantis plans to introduce their hybrid technology in various models, such as the Alfa Romeo Junior/Tonale, Citroen C3, C4 and C5, DS 3 and 4, Fiat Panda and 600, Jeep Avenger, Renegade and Compass, Lancia Ypsilon, Maserati Grecale, and several Opel, Peugeot-Models, and Fiat models.
The more complex full hybrid systems, like those offered by Stellantis, provide a longer electric range, allowing vehicles to sail up to 130 km/h and drive up to a kilometer on electric power alone. On the other hand, the less complex 48-volt hybrid system provides a smaller electric range but still results in significant fuel consumption reductions.
Stellantis' hybrid vehicles are expected to see a significant sales increase, with a projected 41% growth in sales compared to 2023. As part of their hybrid offensive, the company continues to work towards achieving their electrification and CO2 reduction goals by aiming for all PCG sales in Europe and 50% of PCG and LCV sales in the USA to be BEVs by 2030.
In addition to their hybrid offerings, Stellantis is also dedicated to selling electric vehicles (BEVs), as evidenced by their commitment to offering a majority of their vehicles as BEVs in Europe and the US by 2030. This hybrid and electric vehicle push is a direct response to the high demand for such vehicles from customers.
The automaker Stellantis, which plans to offer only electric vehicles in Europe from 2030, is currently heavily investing in both hybrid and electric powertrains. Until 2030, they will continue to sell petrol cars with some electric driving capability, as they work towards their ambitious electrification goals.
