Launch review: Alfa Romeo back in Mzansi with enhanced Giulia and Stelvio

The most advanced solutions in the new Giulia and Stelvio are focused on comfort and a typically Italian zest for life. The interiors of both cars have been freshened to further highlight quality and elegance. Connectivity has become a key focus thanks to the 8.8-inch touch-screen infotainment system and smartphone-like ease of use and enables a suite of services for remote car management.

Giulia and Stelvio are absolute leaders in their segments in terms of performance and dynamic response. The basic technical specification is - and remains - pioneering. As a result, the new Model Year cars shift their attention to the onboard experience, providing an increasingly pleasurable, safe and connected experience, allowing the brand to recapture its traditions of 'elegant sportiness'. It is a recurring concept in Alfa Romeos from every era, expressing the perfect balance between form, function and driving thrills.

Innovate: Alfalink

The huge number of innovative technical solutions is breathtaking. The front suspension has double wishbones with semi-virtual steering, to make the suspension angle more controllable and obtain optimal road grip: the two lower links create a 'scissor' movement that generates a linear feeling in all conditions.

The new Alfalink is introduced on the rear suspension, a multi-link system with four-and-a-half links: rigid when cornering, but also longitudinally flexible. Both these solutions are 'made in Alfa Romeo'.

Aluminium engine

The 2l turbocharged power units are filled to the brim with Italian character and impressive performance offering 206kW and fuel consumption as efficient as 8.4l/100km on the combined cycle. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and carbon-fibre drive shaft for exhilarating performance.

Cabin elegance

The interior of the models on offer is modern yet simple, with a touch of typically Italian elegance. It has been tailored with meticulous craftsmanship and high-end materials: carbon fibre, leather and Alcantara. The centre of the dashboard is dominated by the AlfaTM Connect 3D NAV 8.8-inch infotainment system. The system offers Apple CarPlay, the smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car as well as being Android AutoTM compatible.

Stelvio SUV

Sharing the Giulia’s dynamic platform, Alfa Romeo’s first SUV conquered a complex challenge to make an Alfa capable of driving with agility off-road without losing anything in terms of performance and handling on-road. In other words: a SUV that can be driven like a sports sedan.

The Stelvio embodies everything a true Alfa Romeo should. Not only that, but the Stelvio can boast to be the lightest mid-size SUV in its class thanks to its lightweight body structure and carbon fibre driveshaft, coming in at just 1,660kg.

Standing out

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio certainly does stand out from the crowd and is powered by an all-aluminium four-cylinder 206kW 2.0-litre Turbocharged petrol engine with carbon fibre driveshaft, combined with the automatic eight-speed transmission.

In addition to MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve actuation, the distinctive features of this engine include '2-in-1' turbo and 200-bar high-pressure direct injection, which pair up to deliver a particularly snappy accelerator response.

Quadrifoglio

Stelvio Quadrifoglio is equipped with the exclusive aluminium 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine, developed with inputs from Ferrari, which delivers maximum power of 375kW at 6,500rpm and generates a maximum torque of 600Nm.

This power plant is teamed with the specifically calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission that allows gear shifts in just 150 milliseconds in Race driving mode. Moreover, to maximise the driving experience, the model is equipped as standard with one-piece aluminium paddle shifters integrated with the steering column.

Safe in a Stelvio

Stelvio enjoys a new Driver Assistance Pack including automatic high-beam assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Outside and Interior rear-view mirrors with electrochromic auto-dimming, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Alert. The SUV also shares the upgrades from the Giulia range.

Alfa Romeo has certainly re-engineered itself in more ways than one.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia will always live up to expectations whilst the Stelvio re-establishes itself as one of the most sought after and award-winning SUVs. Unmistakable Italian flair and design from bumper to bumper.

Pricing:

• Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce: - R989,900
• Alfa Romeo Giulia QV: - R1,599,900
• Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super: - R1,159,900
• Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q: - R1,749,900

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio comes with a five-year/100,000km full warranty and maintenance plan as standard.