BRIDGING THE GAP
New Giulia & Stelvio
Time is relative when you have to judge its passage from the present day’s perspective. Alfa Romeo has a long and storied history and while many Alfisti bear a close connection to the classic models that helped make the brand globally renowned, that doesn't mean they are stuck in the past. There is a mantra going around car forums that the Alfista’s perfect Alfa is the last one, not the future one, but I’ll take that just as meme material.
The time has come for Giulia and Stelvio; two siblings born as close to technical perfection as possible from the Giorgio platform to be imparted with an array of updates that optically align themselves more closely with the exterior of the all-new Tonale. Aside from the design language, the premium models wearing the Biscione have also benefited from the latest in-cabin technology.
The updates on both Giulia and Stelvio primarily focus on just a few minor but eye catching styling changes and a few interior infotainment upgrades. Both models now feature beautifully redesigned full-LED lighting elements (with Matrix technology) giving them a refreshed and modern look, and an “easter-egg” in the shape of a small engraved Biscione. Inside, both models now feature the digital instrument panel, configurable in three different types of graphics within its characteristic “telescope” shape and updated infotainment software, which will be ready to be updated from now on “over the air”, bringing them in line with the latest technology standards in the market.
The engine range is made up of the venerable 280 hp petrol and 210 hp diesel engines, in either Q4 or RWD propulsion, with the 510 hp Quadrifoglio version expected to get its facelift later this year. It’s these engines, coupled with the still unique (and exclusively Alfa Romeo) repeated carbon driveshaft and lightweight mechanics that set the Giulia and Stelvio’s driving experience apart from all other competitors on the market. Years on, they remain the best in class when it comes to driving dynamics. A testament that these models were designed to deliver the most thrilling and engaging driving experience better than anyone else they rival and one that petrolheads will surely miss in the future,
We drove both the petrol and the diesel versions on the beautiful winding roads departing the scenic Villa Rothschild near Frankfurt - a place of rich historical significance, considered the “cradle of law of the German Federal Republic” with law-ratifying conferences occurring in the post-war era. There's a certain sensorial pleasure that comes with driving them, a niceness to the way they welcome you on board, a finesse in which they embrace the asphalt, that is transmitted to the driver instantly. Both Giulia and Stelvio offer this satisfactory experience in spades. Stelvio is somehow protective but as ever a bit surprising with its almost telepathic direction and ease of climbing the hairpins of the Taunus Mountains, not something one would expect from a sizeable SUV. On the other hand, Giulia invites you to push harder and become more proficient behind the wheel, with its lower sitting position, instilling the true DNA of the platform. They’re both superlative sports car at heart but deceptively packaged in a way that will safely ferry the kids to school and do the weekly shopping on the way back.
In the context of the brand's transition towards electrification, the facelifted versions of the Giulia and Stelvio probably represent the final iteration of petrol-powered Alfa Romeo vehicles, at least for regular Alfisti. These models serve as a testament to Alfa Romeo's commitment to delivering a thrilling driving experience, even as they prepare for the next phase of their evolution. While the future of the brand will inevitably be shaped by the rise of electric vehicles, these last petrol-powered Alfa Romeos serve as a reminder of the unique and irreplaceable experience of driving a petrol-powered car.
Ultimately, being an Alfista is about having a passion for the brand and its products, both past and present. While there may be some who are impervious to change, I'm sure that just like me, most Alfisti are open to new technologies and are excited to see how Alfa Romeo will continue to evolve in the years to come.
Photos by Daniela Pirnbaum.
