It would not be a stretch to say that the Quadrifoglio version of both the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio were unbelievably good. It's a hoary phrase 'unbelievable' - but they really were; nobody ever expected Alfa Romeo, after years in the doldrums and the underwhelming 4C, to deliver class-leading performance cars. But with the Giorgio platform, three-quarters of a Ferrari V8 and some very talented engineers, that's what the Giulia and Stelvio delivered. They really were the best cars to drive in their respective classes.
With facelift time now upon us, the job should be simple: keep that world-beating dynamic finesse, address the issues around quality and tech integration that kept them off the top of the pile when faced with the best from BMW and Mercedes. To that end, these new cars feature interiors that Alfa calls an "ergonomic, harmonious series of lines, instruments, volumes and spaces which envelope the driver."
Broadly speaking that refers to the cabin update which characterised the facelift of the base models, burnished here with new perforated leather, fresh colour options and, most interestingly, the Performance Pages. Inside the larger touchscreen display, the PP can show vital temperatures, turbo pressure, torque delivery and so on, including the ability to measure acceleration with its digital chronometers. Not exactly new technology for the class, but an interesting addition nonetheless.
Also of note, albeit to a very different kind of driver, is the Level 2 autonomy both are now capable of. Thanks to a panoply of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems - lane keep, active cruise, traffic sign recognition, blind spot assist, traffic jam assist and so on - the tech means throttle, brake and steering can be operated by the car when required. Or, more encouragingly, the Level 2 ADAS "leaves the pleasure of sitting behind the wheel intact, as it only intervenes to ensure total safety and to increase driver comfort in heavy traffic or on longer trips." Don't go making any cheap jokes about dependability, either - it's been co-developed with Bosch.
Onto more interesting matters. The twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 is untouched in both models, meaning the same rasping 510hp and 442lb ft as before; in fact, the only change is the new-for-2020 possibility of making both Quadrifoglios raspier still, with an optional Akrapovic exhaust. As before, the eight-speed auto, "calibrated to optimised fluidity and comfort so the vehicles can be easily driven on all terrains", is standard fitment.
Last but certainly not least, we're onto the most obvious change that marks out a 2020 Giulia or Stelvio from its predecessor: the new LED rear light clusters. Oh yeah, and some new paint options as well... Montreal Green is what you see here, a colour borrowed from the GTA and GTAm paying homage to the stunning Alfa sports car that was launched 50 years ago this year. In fact, Alfa is now splitting the colour palette into four: Classic is what Montreal Green falls into, alongside 6C Villa d'Este Red and GT Junior Ochre; there's also going to be 'Competizione' colours, 'Metal' shades and hues described as 'Solid' for buyers to pick from. Given how well the Competizione Red has suited both cars from launch, expect to see plenty more like that in the coming months; Montreal is always there for those feeling a little braver...
So that's your updated Cloverleaf, folks: safer, more luxurious and much greener (in a sense). Alfa says both Giulia and Stelvio represent "an even stronger expression of performance and unmistakably Italian style"; buyers interested in that will be pleased to know that these new Quadrifoglio Alfas go on sale in the summer. Full UK prices, spec and availability will follow in due course; until then, buyers content to go without the active safety and the new interior might be pleased to know that the 510hp Giulia is available from £35k and its Stelvio sibling from £50,000 Maybe not quite as desirable as new, sure, but all the key Quadrifoglio ingredients are most certainly present and correct - and if you didn't know by now, they make for one heck of a finished product.
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