2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio have been updated for model year 20.  While retaining their class leading driving dynamics and classic Italian design, Alfa Romeo has improved its driver-centred approach by updating the interior of the cars with a new layout and materials, incorporating new ADAS systems to bring level two autonomy and completely overhauling the infotainment system with a new range of connected services and a redesigned human-machine interface (HMI).

New infotainment
With the new Giulia and Stelvio MY2020 the HMI has evolved into a system which is simple, user-friendly and intuitive. The 8.8-inch central display is now touchscreen and adopts an all-new layout with widgets which can be dragged and dropped to create a fully customisable homepage, in which each of the vehicle’s functions becomes an app. So just horizontal scrolling calls up the access screens for Alfa DNA, radio, media, smartphone, navigation, climate control, connected services and ADAS. The driver can choose between the updated rotary knob or the touchscreen to control the new infotainment system.

The new 7-inch TFT screen in the heart of the instrument cluster is also now standard across the entire range. The screen layout has been redesigned to offer more information in a more rational way, and to accommodate the autonomous driving technology parameters.

Quality in the new interiors
The Alfa Romeo style is one of deceptive simplicity that conceals the complex process to achieve an ergonomic, attractive combination of lines, instruments, volumes and spaces tailor-made for its occupants. The quality has been enhanced with a new central console, completely restyled to accommodate larger, more accessible storage compartments, as well as the new wireless charger function. The new gear stick is now leather clad with luminous highlights and a signature Italian flag at its base, while the rotary knob that controls the infotainment system has been updated to gives the sensation of precision and solidity at every touch. The leather steering wheel has also been restyled to accommodate the functions and sensors for the autonomous driving systems.

Level 2 autonomous driving
The new MY2020 Giulia and Stelvio marks the debut of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that enable the vehicles to deliver the highest level of autonomous driving currently legal.  Level 2 autonomy is achieved when the driver can leave the car to control the accelerator, brake and steering in specific conditions, via electronic systems that require continual monitoring by the driver, but support them to offer greater comfort on long journeys. In all cases, the driver must be constantly vigilant and always keep his hands on the steering wheel.

The main enabling technologies present on the MY2020 include:

• Lane keeping assist: detects if the vehicle is drifting out of its lane without activation of the indicator and alerts the driver visually and by touch. It actively intervenes to return the vehicle to its lane.
• Active blind spot: monitors the rear blind spots to flag up any approaching vehicles and corrects the steering to avoid a collision if necessary.
• Active cruise control: automatically regulates the vehicle’s speed to keep it a safe distance from the vehicles ahead. In cooperation with the road sign recognition system, it allows the speed to be automatically regulated as the speed limits change. The system uses the on-board camera to recognises the road signs and shows them on the display, alerting the driver to the current speed limit. It then advises the driver to adjust the speed to that read by the system, and if the driver agrees, the cruise control will be automatically set to the new speed limits.
• Traffic jam assistant and highway assist: In addition to the Active Cruise Control, these systems also supervise lateral steering. Traffic Jam Assistant keeps the car in the middle of the lane in heavy traffic and Highway Assist regulates the speed on the basis of the current motorway speed limits.
• Driver attention assist: monitors the driver for drowsiness and alerts them if necessary.

A new range structure
The Giulia and Stelvio range has been restructured, with simplified trims mirrored across both cars.

The new Stelvio range has been updated to include rear parking camera, bi-xenon headlights and electrically folding wing mirrors as standard, across the entire range as well as the new infotainment system with 8.8-inch touch-screen and embedded connectivity.  From launch, Active Cruise Control, Traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed advisor and Traffic Jam & highway assist, as well as Autonomous Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning, Cruise Control and rear parking sensors.

The Stelvio Super is available with a choice of two engines, a 200hp 2.0-litre petrol engine with all-wheel drive or a 190hp 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with rear-wheel drive, both combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission.  As well as the updated infotainment system and interior upgrades, the Super comes with leather and cloth upholstery, 18-inch dual multi-spoke alloy wheels and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a second USB port at the rear. Super badging and silver exterior details complete the look of the entry level model.

The Stelvio Sprint trim is characterised by the Sprint badging on the front wing, gloss black exterior badges, the “V” of the grille, tailpipes and skid plate, as well as 19-inch dark five hole sport alloy wheels.  Building on the Super, its standard set-up is complete with heated and electrically adjustable full leather seats, heated steering wheel and black brake calipers.  It is available with a choice of 190hp 2.2-litre diesel engine or a 200hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, both with a 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The Stelvio Lusso Ti trim combines comfort and luxury by adding black gloss body trim with silver exterior details, Ti badging and 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels. A luxury leather interior with stitched leather dashboard and upper door panels, wooden dash inserts, convenience pack with keyless entry and illuminated door handles, wireless charging pad and laminated glass offering additional soundproofing complete the package. The Lusso Ti is available with a choice of 190hp 2.2-litre diesel engine or 200hp 2.0-litre petrol engine.

The Stelvio Veloce version tops the range with a choice of 280hp 2.0-litre petrol engine or 210hp 2.2-litre diesel engine, with all-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic transmission. New 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior styling, along with the Veloce badge and body coloured exterior trim set it apart from the rest of the range.  Sports leather seats, Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) and aluminium shift paddles complete standard specification.

The Giulia range will mirror that of the Stelvio, with the entry level Super and Lusso Ti featuring silver exterior details and the Sprint and Veloce offering a sportier look with dark styling. All Giulia models will be complete with the new 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, updated interior, bi-xenon headlights, Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility and new trim badging. Full specification for the Giulia will be confirmed at a later date.

Alfa Connected Services
The new Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio MY2020 are equipped with Alfa Connected Services as standard, to deliver advanced on-board connectivity and a set of services to boost safety and comfort.  The full suite of Alfa Connected Services will be expanded to include the following functions in 2020.

The My Assistant function offers an SOS call that enables the occupant to send a request for assistance to a call centre, with the vehicle’s position and identification code, by pressing the SOS button or via the mobile app. In the event of an accident, the call goes out automatically. In case of a vehicle breakdown, a call can be sent to the roadside assistance service with the vehicle’s coordinates by pressing the Assist button. The My Assistant package also includes a service report, which keeps customers updated on their Alfa Romeo’s health via monthly email reports.

My Remote enables remote control of several vehicle functions.   Drivers can set speed and area limits as well as check the location of the vehicle and they will receive alerts, via a smartphone or smartwatch, Amazon Alexa or Google Home voice assistance systems, if the set parameters are not complied with.

My Navigation comprises applications for remote search for destination and Points of Interest (POI) and real-time traffic, weather and speed camera alerts. The package also includes the Send & Go service, enabling the driver to send the destination to their navigation straight from their smartphone or the web portal.

Other services to join the suite include My Car, which enables owners to keep their car’s health and parameters under constant control, My Wi-Fi, which allows an Internet connection to be shared between up to eight on-board devices, My Theft Assistance, which alerts the owner of any attempt to steal the car, and My Fleet Manager, intended for fleet management.

The new Alfa Romeo Stelvio will be available to order from January 2020, with first cars arriving in the UK during January, with Giulia following later in Q1.  Full UK pricing and specification will be announced in due course, but to find your nearest Alfa Romeo retailer and to find more information about the Alfa Romeo range visit www.alfaromeo.co.uk.