We already knew the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio
platform siblings would be given a 2020MY update but we did not expect to see
them debut in China first, as it was believed they would make their first
global appearance at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Alfa Romeo has gone
mad because these cars look exactly the same as before. That’s true, but only
as far as the exterior design is concerned. The interiors see important
upgrades meant to make the Giulia and Stelvio look and feel more premium.
Both models get a new 8.8-inch touchscreen for the
upgraded infotainment system which now offers a Wi-Fi hotspot, over-the-air
software upgrades, integrated emergency call function, and call assistant
function.
In addition, the multimedia system offers new
functions available via the smartphone such as remote control lock, unlock and
light flash, determination of a stolen vehicle’s location, and more.
Also new are the leather-wrapped multifunction
steering wheel and gear lever, as well as dashboard materials which are
apparently nicer to look at and touch.
In China, the 2020 Giulia and Stelvio only offer a
2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine available in two states of
tune: 200 PS and 330 Nm or 280 PS and 400 Nm. Both are matched to a ZF-made eight-speed automatic transmission.
Prices in China start from RMB 379,800 (US$ 54,200) for
the Giulia and RMB 456,800 (US$ 65,190) for the Stelvio. Alfa Romeo will roll out
similar changes to the Giulia and Stelvio for European and North American
markets.
We’ll see both of them imminently, as they’ve
already been confirmed for the 2019 LA Auto Show that opens for the press on
November 18.
