Stellantis combined its European automotive brands with those of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, or FCA, in 2021. The logic is to leverage its engineering and marketing expertise over all its brands, which then added Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Dodge. With that, a lot of platform sharing is bound to happen, as it amortizes engineering, tooling, and more over several brands. That grand plan is finally coming to fruition as it is revealing an all-new premium EV SUV for a 2025 launch. 

What are the specs for the planned premium EV SUV?

With three EV platforms, Stellantis chose its STLA Medium platform for the SUV code-named CR3. This will ultimately underpin premium EVs ranging from 165.4 inches to 196.9 inches long. Its versatility allows for batteries ranging from 87 to 105 kWh. That versatility included front or rear two-wheel or all-wheel drive, ranging from 167 hp to 442 hp. 

Initial production is at its Rennes, France assembly plant. It’s unknown if the assembly will take place in the U.S. With the “premium” tag, the price could absorb the extra cost of shipping from France to North America. 

Will there also be a gas-powered hybrid premium SUV?

Stellantis head Carlos Tavares is hedging on whether gasoline versions will also be part of the mix. Asked about propulsion other than electric, he told Bloomberg, “In principle, no.” But let’s face it, even for industry titans, the automotive landscape with its EV transition is a big question mark. 

We know that this same STLA EV platform will reside under SUVs from both Opel and Vauxhall nameplates. The Eisenach, Germany assembly plant has been chosen to assemble these EVs. So, as expected, platform sharing is finally happening. On paper, this should spread development and tooling over eight or more brands. That’s economy of scale, baby. 

What other models are planned for the STLA Medium EV platform?

To add to this mix, Jeep is already moving toward its EV future, with the Recon and Wagoneer S models slated for 2024. These will have the STLA Large EV platform, not the medium platform. Both will be built at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. The Cassino Assembly Plant in Italy is the other beneficiary of manufacturing STLA Large platform EVs. It currently makes the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, and the Maserati Grecale models. 

So right now, Stellantis has a lot of balls in the air as it juggles assembly plants and larger plans for full electrification by 2030, which is closer than you might think. Its ultimate goal is carbon neutrality by 2038.