MILAN (Reuters) - Stellantis' ( STLA ) Alfa Romeo will launch its new Stelvio sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the second half of next year, followed by the new Giulia sport sedan in 2026, the Italian premium brand said on Friday.

Under Stellantis ( STLA ), formed at the beginning of 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA, Alfa Romeo has undergone a turnaround process and started a reshuffle of its range, with an aim to have a 100% electric vehicle (EV) offer by 2027.

After starting range renewal in 2022 with the Tonale compact SUV, Alfa Romeo will launch next month the Milano sport compact model, the brand's first EV.

"Giulia and Stelvio will be two authentic Italian jewels, exported all over the world, affirming Alfa Romeo as the global premium brand of Stellantis ( STLA )," Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said.

Both the new Stelvio and the new Giulia will be designed in Italy and assembled in the Pomigliano D'Arco plant, near Naples, underpinned by Stellantis' ( STLA ) new 'STLA' platform for large vehicles, Alfa Romeo said in a statement.

They will be offered both in EV and hybrid versions.

The new Stelvio will be the first car, among all Stellantis European brands, to be based on Stellantis' ( STLA ) 'STLA Large' platform.

It will also be Stellantis' ( STLA ) first car to be fitted with the group's 'STLA Brain' electronic and software architecture and with STLA SmartCockpit platform, focusing on digitally integrating vehicles and drivers.

Alfa Romeo will continue to produce current internal combustion engine versions of Stelvio and Giulia, until the new cars are launched on the market.

Last year Alfa Romeo sold over 50,000 cars in Europe, its largest market, up 52% from 2022, supported by its Tonale model, which was also introduced in a plug-in hybrid version during 2023.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)