As a carmaker for the past 111 years, Alfa Romeo has built more than just a reputation; this transcending rather to a mystique warmly embraced by millions of ‘Alfisti’ around the world.
It has not always been plain sailing for the Italian carmaker but some really lean years were broken six years ago with the launch of the Giulia and Stelvio that have become the brand’s most-awarded cars ever: 170 international accolades awarded by specialised and general media, voted by juries of experts or directly by customers, dedicated to both innovation and style.
Now the two models have been updated and the interiors of both cars have been freshened, connectivity has become a key focus thanks to the 8,8-inch touch-screen infotainment system and smartphone-like ease of use and enables a suite of Mopar services for remote car management.
The updated Giulia embodies Alfa Romeo legend: cutting-edge and innovative engines;ideal weight distribution; technical solutions; excellent power-to-weight ratio and, of course, a design with unmistakable Italian flair.
The front suspension has double wishbones with semi-virtual steering, to make the suspension angle more controllable and obtain optimal road grip: the two lower links create a ‘scissor’ movement that generates a linear feeling in all conditions. The new Alfalink is introduced on the rear suspension, a multi-link system with four-and-a-half links: rigid when cornering, but also longitudinally flexible. Both these solutions are ‘made in Alfa Romeo’.
Giulia’s all-aluminium engines remain the same, but are now Euro 6b-final compliant. The 2,0-litre turbo-charged power units offer 206 kW and fuel consumption of 8,4 l/100km on the combined cycle. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and carbon-fibre drive shaft for exhilarating performance.
The sports sedan – the Giulia QV – also receives model-year updates and its 375 kW bi-turbo V6 engine catapults the Giulia up the road to 100 km/h in 3,9 seconds and on to a top speed of 307 km/h.
The Giulia QV is equipped with the Alfa Chassis Domain Control unit and Alfa Active Suspension, the system that continually, actively controls the suspensions and shock absorbers. Up front it has a double wishbone system with semi-virtual steering axis, with a four-and-a-half link Multilink system at the rear.
The centre of the dashboard is dominated by the Alfa Connect 3D NAV 8,8-inch infotainment system. The system offers Apple CarPlay as well as being Android Auto compatible, bringing the best of Google into the car.
Sharing the Giulia’s dynamic platform, Alfa Romeo’s first SUV has a 50/50 weight distribution, Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel drive architecture, best-in-class power-to-weight ratios and innovative engine and driver technologies.
The Stelvio features Alfa Romeo’s segment-first Integrated Brake System, Autonomous Emergency Brake with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super is powered by an all-aluminium four-cylinder 206 kW 2,0-litre turbo-charged petrol engine with carbon fibre drive shart, combined with the automatic eight-speed transmission.
In addition to MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve actuation, the distinctive features of this engine include ‘2-in-1’ turbo and 200-bar high-pressure direct injection, which pair up to deliver a particularly snappy accelerator response across the rev range in addition to best-in-class fuel-efficiency. The Stelvio Super has a top speed of 233 km/h and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7,2 seconds.
Stelvio Quadrifoglio is equipped with the exclusive aluminium 2,9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine, developed with inputs from Ferrari, which delivers maximum power of 375 kW at 6 500 r/min and generates a maximum torque of 600 Nm from 2 500 r/min to 5 000 r/min.
This power plant is teamed with the specifically calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission that allows gear shifts in just 150 milliseconds in Race driving mode.
It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 3,8 seconds and on to a top speed of 283 km/h.
Further additions to the Giulia include rear USB ports, a cargo net, passive entry, a wireless charging pad, and eight-way electrically adjustable seats with driver memory and four-way lumbar support adjustment.
Stelvio enjoys a new Driver Assistance Pack including automatic high-beam assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Outside and Interior rearview mirrors with electrochromic auto dimming, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Alert. The SUV also shares the upgrades from the Giulia range.
The new Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio comes with a 5 year/100 000km full warranty and maintenance plan as standard. Be seduced.
Pricing:
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce: R 989,900.00
Alfa Romeo Giulia QV: R 1,599,900.00
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super: R 1,159,900.00
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q: R 1,749,900.00
