Meet The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia & Stelvio For North America:
Alfa Enhances The Driver's Experience, In Latest Revision Of Their Performance Duo...
The Alfa Romeo brand has officially pulled the cover back on their 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio models at AutoMobility LA (the LA Auto Show). The revised Italian duo, have taken lessons learned from the brand’s customer base, and fixed the issues that customers have been struggling with since the Giulia made its debut in the 2017 model year, creating a more driver-friendly owner experience for both. Now, while we showed you the Chinese versions of the pair last week, today, was the first time we got to see the North American-spec models in person.
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio receive significant technology, infotainment and interior enhancements for the 2020 model year,” said Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Alfa Romeo and Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “Alfa Romeo’s unrivaled driving experience is now elevated by delivering key premium features requested by our current and future customers.”
So let’s start with changes that affect both models for the 2020 model year. While Alfa decided to focus on improving the driver’s experience in both vehicles, the first place the brand focused on was the interior. Starting with a new center console design, a new machined-knurled aluminum-look rotary dial, upgraded knob materials, and increased storage capacity are among the first things you will notice. Both Alfa’s even proudly celebrate their heritage with a new Italian flag badge, which is located at the base of the shifter.
Speaking of the shifter, both the Giulia and Stelvio will receive a new premium leather-wrapped shifter and a race-inspired steering wheel as standard equipment across all trims. The new steering wheel features more refined materials, improving the touching surfaces.
Alfa listened to its customers, especially those in North America and give both models larger cup holders to accommodate those larger drinks for the long weekend drives in the Giulia. A new phone storage area has also been added to the center console, while both models can now be optioned to feature wireless charging. Alfa has also added laminated glass to help improve quietness in the cabin on all of its models as standard equipment for 2020.
The biggest improvement on the 2020 Giulia and Stelvio, has to be technology. One of the biggest complains about the current model, has been the infotainment system. It featured a non-Touchscreen display, with dismal graphics, and a difficult interface to use via a knob. Well, Alfa Romeo has listened and while it still isn’t a Uconnect based system, which all other brands use across the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) portfolio, the new system is night and day different.
The new 8.8-inch center touchscreen display now offers a selection of interactive widgets and a horizontal scroll layout that provides additional personalization options and enhanced interactivity and visibility. Taking a page out of the Dodge catalog, Alfa has added a new set of performance pages, allowing the driver to track key performance metrics while digital HVAC and other controls enhance functionality. Drivers and passengers can both customize the home screen by selecting a custom layout, which offers them to place applications where they want. The best feature about the system, it is standard for 2020 across all models.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio also receive a standard 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) instrument cluster screen that has been redesigned to offer more information than ever, using improved graphics and designed to incorporate Advance Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and level II autonomous driving functions. The system will also include updated vehicle information pages providing real-time data that puts the driver at the center.
Speaking of technology, the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio will debut a new set of available ADAS functions including level II autonomous capability enabling the vehicle to control acceleration, braking, and steering. Features include…
- Highway Assist System
- Traffic Jam Assist System
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Lane Keep Assist
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- Driver Attention Alert
- Standard Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus
Both vehicles will also feature a bunch of new standard and available connectivity features, such as Wi-Fi Hotspot, Mobile App with Remote Operations, SOS Call (Private) and Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Finder, Stolen Vehicle Locator and Assistance, as well as select Firmware Over the Air (OTA) updates (some functionality late availability). This is huge for both vehicles and brings them up to the standard of most modern FCA vehicles.
Now, while both models don’t look a whole lot different than the 2019 models on the exterior, Alfa has enhanced both cars subtly for the new model year. Starting with the Stelvio, a new, available, body-color appearance kit adds fender flares, side sills, and rear fascia with a body-color finish is standard on Sport models and above. Sport models will also have a new Dark Miron appearance kit that adds fender flares, side sills, and rear fascia finished in a dark-painted finish. While of course, the available Carbon Fiber package returns to Quadrifoglio models and adds a carbon fiber V Scudetto grille, carbon fiber mirror caps, and Dark Miron badging for a menacing look.
Some new colors also join the 2020 lineup, with Anodized Blue, Lunare White, and, for the first time on Giulia, the unmistakable Verde Visconti Metallic paint making an appearance.
When it comes to pricing, Alfa Romeo has released the basic U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for both models.
- 2020 Giulia: $39,345 (excludes $1,295 destination)
- 2020 Giulia Quadrifoglio: $74,445 (excludes $1,595 destination)
- 2020 Stelvio: $41,345 (excludes $1,295 destination)
- 2020 Stelvio Quadrifoglio: $80,445 (excludes $1,595 destination)
Although the basic U.S. pricing has been announced, Alfa Romeo has not released 2020 pricing for the Canadian models. Both the Giulia and Stelvio are expected to arrive in North American showrooms, by the end of the calendar year. Both models are assembled at Cassino plant in Italy.
So what do you think of the new 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio? Do they have enough new features to propel sales forward in the North American market? Leave your comments below.
North American 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Image Gallery:
