Few companies produce vehicles with the verve and soul of Alfa Romeo. In this country, its two best sellers are the Giulia sedan and Stelvio crossover, machines that bring a dose of saucy flair to segments than can otherwise be a tad beige.
Gearing up for the 2020 model year, Alfa has given its fraternal twins a few enhancements to the exterior and interior. As if the Stelvio wasn’t flamboyant enough already, it will now come standard with natty colour keyed trim which hits the rocker panels, wheel flares, and a few other trim pieces with a shot of body colour paint. Speaking of, a dandy new Anodized Blue joins the palette along with a couple of other new shades. Speedy Quadrifoglio models also get a dose of carbon fibre.
On the inside, this Italian duo earns a new centre console to go along with an updated steering wheel. In fact, a yaffle of revisions are found between driver and passenger, including available wireless phone charging and some snazzy new switchgear. A standard 8.8-inch infotainment display takes top billing, a unit which is alleged to have better graphics and a faster processor. SiriusXM satellite radio is now standard, as it should have been all along.
That’s a so-called ‘race inspired steering wheel’ facing the driver, along with a few extra design touches to make sure you remember you’re driving something from Italy. Larger cupholders in the Giulia ensure the proper fit of a triple grande low fat soy macchiato latte.
Alfa also jumps onboard the safety train by making an Advance Driver Assistance System available. This suite of nannies includes the likes of active lane keeping, Traffic Jam Assist, and all manner of blind spot monitoring. There are a number of connectivity features added for 2020 as well, such as a wi-fi hotspot and stolen vehicle locators.
Giulia will start at $50,445 in Canada for a rear-drive unit. Sending power to all four wheels will add two grand to the tab. Stelvio AWD starts just a bit higher at $54,545. Those seeking that Quadrifoglio life will have to pony up $90,945 and $96,200 for the Giulia and Stelvio, respectively. Look for them in dealer showrooms before the end of this year.
One thing’s for sure - owners of the 2020 Giulia and Stelvio will not lose their car in a parking lot of beige sedans and crossovers.