Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio soldier on
Another update for much loved duo, including new wheels, colours and equipment
Once upon a time, now was about when the electric Alfa Romeo Stelvio would be around, a fresh new electric SUV using everything from the Stellantis larder to make a rival for the BMW iX3, Mercedes GLC Electric and Volvo EX60. But that didn’t happen, Alfa (probably correctly) guessing that take-up for a battery-powered Stelvio might be small. After all, how many electric Alfa Juniors have you seen?
Which means the Stelvio - alongside the Giulia saloon - continues on sale after a decade in showrooms. Not necessarily a bad thing, given the bloat and complication that’s afflicted pretty much every car in the past 10 years, if not exactly ideal for maintaining interest in busy sectors. So following shortly after the Luna Rossa special editions, the Giulia and Stelvio have been revised for 2027 as part of a wider range shake-up for Alfa Romeo. The renewal promises ‘to offer each customer a car coming ever closer to their way of being, driving, and experiencing mobility.’ Whatever that means.
Probably the most significant change for the saloon and SUV is the introduction of a camera (and the associated software) for driver monitoring. Not even the Giulia and Stelvio can escape that. Still, adding that feature (the camera will be part of the A-pillar) means both can stay on sale a little longer, as they now comply with the latest regulations. Incredible to think that both a Giulia like this and a G50 BMW 3 Series might both be seen on ‘76’ numberplates. But if the latest tech isn’t for you (we’ll go out on a limb and say that maybe it isn’t), then don’t say there isn’t an alternative.
Identifying either Giulia or Stelvio as one of the latest is probably best done by the pair of plastic rectangles, in fact, as the 2027 cars aren’t very different to look at. Again, no bad thing: they both looked fantastic at launch, and are aging very nicely indeed (helped by the dross emerging elsewhere). There are now new black and white Alfa Romeo badges, Anodised Blue on the extras list, and standard 21s for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio (where 20s used to reside).
Speaking of the V6 machines, any new order of a 520hp Giulia or Stelvio now comes with an Alfa Romeo Driving Academy voucher. This is a one-day course promising ‘an emotional component’ that appears to take place in Italy. Which sounds like the perfect excuse for a holiday. The press release added: ‘Giulia and Stelvio continue their journey while preserving the traits that have built their identity: two models revolving around the focus on the driver and a precise idea of driving dynamics, in which Italian design, balance, lightness and specific technical solutions combine to create an authentically Alfa Romeo experience.’ Amen to that.
The latest Alfas will be available to order soon, with plenty of secondhand temptation (of course) already there in the classifieds: both Stelvio and Giulia are for sale with a handful of miles and thousands off. They won’t be here forever, after all - or will they?
Think there are now 20 dealers across all the UK, when 3 years ago there were over 100. Dealers that had 40 + years in the brand have walked away, what does that tell you?
First time in my life I went German with a new RS3
Still have a few Italian things, but wont buy any now - sad times.
1. Have they increased the CANbus quota?
2. Have they fixed the theft vulnerability?
If not, why not?
Instead of meekly publishing press releases and lapping up the BS, why doesn t the motoring press ask why 1. and 2. have not been addressed?
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