Mopar Insiders Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rumors: Some Interesting Changes Coming For Alfa Romeo Models In 2020:

redriderbob

Mopar Guru!
Staff member
Joined
Apr 21, 2018
Messages
5,110
Reaction score
3,761
Location
Metro Detroit
Rumors: Some Interesting Changes Coming For Alfa Romeo Models In 2020:
Giulia & Stelvio Get Some Tweaks For New Model Year...

AR019_008MMcgcktr23f1jh6e4m939thhge34.jpg


Rumors: Some Interesting Changes Coming For Alfa Romeo Models In 2020: - Mopar Insiders
 

UN4GTBL

Moderator
Joined
May 7, 2018
Messages
1,079
Reaction score
528
Happy to hear about the new infotainment options and other improvements.

I wasn't crazy about the infotainment when I drove them both last year.
 

Bili

Official Pilot
Staff member
Joined
May 4, 2018
Messages
1,791
Reaction score
1,475
These changes are not enough to make any significant change in sales of these models.

What's wrong?

I know that in Europe some use these "deficiencies" as excuse for not buying Alfa. Now they are fixing it and they will fix it even more or all in 2 years time. Tonale will for example launch with all tech goodies.
 

bluskye

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
79
Reaction score
52
What's wrong?

I know that in Europe some use these "deficiencies" as excuse for not buying Alfa. Now they are fixing it and they will fix it even more or all in 2 years time. Tonale will for example launch with all tech goodies.

The Tonale looks like a winner and should help bring people into the Alfa showroom in the US. New infotainment in the Giulia, and Stelvio will be appreciated, but it is not going to stop the falling sales in those two models in the US. I know as a previous owner of several Alfa vehicles that former Alfa owners are missing the manual transmission in the current cars. As you are probably aware the manual transmission is not available in the US. In addition, a Giulia/Stelvio model (GTV?) between the 280hp standard model and the 505hp Quadrifolio would be appreciated. Many American’s appreciate hp and power in their vehicle. A 280hp vehicle is not a strong sales point for a car that sells more than what a person would pay for a Dodge Charger/Challenger 485hp vehicle. Yes, the Dodge vehicles are lots heavier and don’t handle anything like the Alfa’s, but it is more a perceived view by American auto buyer’s that they are getting less at a greater cost.
 

Bili

Official Pilot
Staff member
Joined
May 4, 2018
Messages
1,791
Reaction score
1,475
The Tonale looks like a winner and should help bring people into the Alfa showroom in the US. New infotainment in the Giulia, and Stelvio will be appreciated, but it is not going to stop the falling sales in those two models in the US. I know as a previous owner of several Alfa vehicles that former Alfa owners are missing the manual transmission in the current cars. As you are probably aware the manual transmission is not available in the US. In addition, a Giulia/Stelvio model (GTV?) between the 280hp standard model and the 505hp Quadrifolio would be appreciated. Many American’s appreciate hp and power in their vehicle. A 280hp vehicle is not a strong sales point for a car that sells more than what a person would pay for a Dodge Charger/Challenger 485hp vehicle. Yes, the Dodge vehicles are lots heavier and don’t handle anything like the Alfa’s, but it is more a perceived view by American auto buyer’s that they are getting less at a greater cost.

Actually I'm not sure that "La Tonale" is a good call for US... All competitors doesn't post good sales numbers in that segment in US. Stelvio's segment is a way hotter. Actually more worrisome than anything else are slow Stelvio's sales in US. It should outsell Giulia 2:1 or even 3:1 but that's not happening. Wrong style choices? Currently BMW X3 is selling like hotcakes in US, more than 7000 units per months.

Manual Giulia is not available even outside of US. Take rate of Giulia Q with manual was close to none. 2.0 turbo was never offered with a manual.

2.0T with 350 HP was in the plans and it may come back. Actually Maserati will offer that engine very soon. But AFAIK such (mid 300 HP) engines have a very low take rate in US in this particular car class. They are more sort of an image maker and are used to lure customers into a showroom.
Such engine was planned as Veloce trim level. Veloce means fast in English. And it was planned all the way back as MY17. Always planned as a mild hybrid.

I want to see E segment SUV for US made in US. That's important segment for US market. Next gen Grand Cherokee twin. They were developed together but Alfa isn't yet green lighted.
 

bluskye

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Messages
79
Reaction score
52
Actually I'm not sure that "La Tonale" is a good call for US... All competitors doesn't post good sales numbers in that segment in US. Stelvio's segment is a way hotter. Actually more worrisome than anything else are slow Stelvio's sales in US. It should outsell Giulia 2:1 or even 3:1 but that's not happening. Wrong style choices? Currently BMW X3 is selling like hotcakes in US, more than 7000 units per months.

Manual Giulia is not available even outside of US. Take rate of Giulia Q with manual was close to none. 2.0 turbo was never offered with a manual.

2.0T with 350 HP was in the plans and it may come back. Actually Maserati will offer that engine very soon. But AFAIK such (mid 300 HP) engines have a very low take rate in US in this particular car class. They are more sort of an image maker and are used to lure customers into a showroom.
Such engine was planned as Veloce trim level. Veloce means fast in English. And it was planned all the way back as MY17. Always planned as a mild hybrid.

I want to see E segment SUV for US made in US. That's important segment for US market. Next gen Grand Cherokee twin. They were developed together but Alfa isn't yet green lighted.
Bili,

I could be wrong, but I think the La Tonale will do good in the US. From the photos I have seen it appears to be a very attractive vehicle.

From my view the Stelvio styling may be the problem with the it’s poor sales. I am not a designer, but the proportions, or angles don’t fit. Stelvio’s appearance looks odd to me.

I do like the design and appearance of the Giulia. It is marketed in the US as a sporty vehicle. The 280hp engine I think is hurting the Giulia more than the Stelvio, partly because of the marketing emphasis on the Giulia performance.
 

Bili

Official Pilot
Staff member
Joined
May 4, 2018
Messages
1,791
Reaction score
1,475
@bluskye

In my opinion they've opted for the wrong design language on Stelvio. Wrong for US especially back end which is not enough boxy. But the rear end looks perfect for my European eyes because it reminds me on a hot hatch. Its cargo volume doesn't suffer in accordance to VDA standard. VDA

Stelvio looks much better in person. There is a one I see every day. It's parked few spots away from my spot in the underground garage. Kia Sportage looks so ugly next to it, disproportional.
 

pumadog

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2019
Messages
458
Reaction score
343
I like the Giulia styling better than the Stelvio's. The Stelvio appears a bit fat-assed, but that should be easy to fix with a different bumper. Also the Giulia's front DRLs are more elegant than the Stelvio's IMHO. And I think they should have used a 3rd side window. It's better looking than most of the competitors though. :p
 

Bili

Official Pilot
Staff member
Joined
May 4, 2018
Messages
1,791
Reaction score
1,475
Job1 for NAFTA market has already happened. Shipping time is around 2 weeks plus... I don't know how much it takes to put it into a dealership.
 

pumadog

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2019
Messages
458
Reaction score
343
Nice! Isn't it the same supplier anyway?
 

Bili

Official Pilot
Staff member
Joined
May 4, 2018
Messages
1,791
Reaction score
1,475
Nice! Isn't it the same supplier anyway?

Interesting question.

Marelli did a lot of work on software side for both. And I believe that both are using GENIVI OS.

8.8" units should have Harman hardware.

The question is how much work is done by FCA or BMW.

In at case this system is touch enabled and it looks much more like a BMW iDrive 6.
Hardware beneath is called Giorgio 2.5. Alfa is using it for some time now. But for MY20 connectivity is added.

With MCA they will add Harman R1 hardware and it will run on Android but from what I've heard graphically it will look almost the same as this MY20 unit.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top