8 minute read
1 Oct 2021
09:45 am
In Visconti Green, the Giulia looks even more eye-catching.
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When it comes to uncertainty, it is, unfortunately, a sure bet that a marque likely to be mentioned would be Alfa Romeo.
Along with fellow Stellantis stablemate Lancia, the famed Italian brand has been the source of much speculation about its future for years. Even after its much publicised rebirth six years ago when it debuted its all-new and first rear-wheel-drive car since 1992, the reimagined Giulia.
A year later, the revival continued with the Stelvio, its first SUV based on the same innovative Giorgio platform. The soul-stirring Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) and Quadrifoglio models powered by the Ferrari developed twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 outputting 375kW/600Nm took centre stage in both cases.
After this matters soon took a dive, again, as sales remained low. A fact painfully showcased by the heights achieved by Lancia, whose only model is the 500 derived Ypsilon marketed only in Italy.
Despite this, Stellantis has emphasised that it remains committed to Alfa Romeo. Following an almost two-year delay since being revealed in Europe, the local arm of the division officially revealed the updated Giulia and Stelvio this week.
As is common knowledge, South Africans are notorious for being brand faithful and rarely deviate from their preferred brand. In the case of the Giulia and Stelvio, the monthly Naamsa sales figures paint the bleak picture as combined offset fail to crack ten units often.
Of course, the brand’s famous chequered history in the service and aftersales department, combined with massive depreciation and horror stories of quality over the years, are also to blame.
With the founding of Stellantis and mentioned pledge to return to the Alfa to the top, the launch route around the Cradle of Humankind and Magaliesberg had this writer asking, what more needs to be done?
While little has changed on the outside, the biggest developments have taken inside where Alfa has significantly upped the quality of the materials.
At the same time, the previous 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system has been dropped for a new 8.8-inch display and the instrument cluster supplemented by a seven-inch TFT screen.
Admittedly, a few cheap feeling surfaces prevail, but the execution and feel is a step-up from the pre-facelift models. While welcomed, the new display requires familiarisation and it not as easy to scroll through initially.
In a confirmation for the “all your eggs in one basket” adage, Alfa Romeo has taken the added route of cramming as much specification items into a single model while doing away with the notorious options lists favoured by its German rivals.
ALSO READ: Refreshed Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio priced
As such, both derivatives feature a fully inclusive “standard” variant and the performance QV and Q, which in the case of the Giulia means the end of the previous unbadged base model, the Super and Super with the Stile package in favour of the Veloce.
For the Stelvio, the unnamed base model also departs, leaving the Super as only conventional model.
The model rational also extends the powertrain where the Giulia finally joins the Stelvio in being offered with the more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. While still available in Europe, Alfa has once again elected not to offer either with a turbodiesel.
Producing the same 206kW/400Nm, 59kW/70Nm more than before, the Giulia remains rear-wheel-drive. The Stelvio’s amount of twist continues to go to all four corners via the Q4 all-wheel-drive system. Carried over is the ZF sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.
Seductive to look at but likely to fall apart on the go has been another jibe often uttered when mentioning past or present Alfa Romeo models. While our total launch route of around 130 km took place exclusively in the Veloce and Super models, the above mentioned dig is hopefully now a thing of the past.
In typical Alfa Romeo fashion, pottering around is not the way the go. In plain English, the reward comes when you play hardball, a trait best exhibited by the Giulia.
As much as the Visconti Green paint finish attracted a lot of stares, it was the dynamic prowess that made my driving partner and I take notice. Apart from the steering being incredibly accurate with lots of feel and the brakes pin sharp, the response with each throttle input was equally immediate.
What’s more, the ride impressed as a result of the adaptive dampers that manages to iron out imperfections so well that the word, noisy, didn’t form part of the conversation.
Arguably the biggest highlight is the transmission. Regardless of being left to its own devises, or clicked to manual mode using the paddles that emit a very satisfying click with each flick, the changes are slick and largely lag free.
Carried over into all models is the grin inducing DNA dial. Denoting Dynamic, Normal and All-weather, switching to the former adds another dimension to the Giulia as it feels even alive thanks to the sharper throttle response and quicker gear changes.
Inserted into the Stelvio, the dynamic prowess is lowered a touch thanks to the bigger 20-inch alloy wheels that made for a firmer ride, and slightly laggier response, which in its defence is largely attributed to its 1 660 kg mass plus the Q4 system.
It proved however just as engaging as the Giulia and comes into its own by bettering its sibling for practically and added ability showed you ever feel the need to take it off of the black stuff.
The question that is likely to be asked is a rather familiar one: Has Alfa Romeo finally got it right? The expected answer? Wait and see.
While certainly an improvement over the previous models, the willingness of buyers to forgive the brand for its past flaws remains the biggest test for the Giulia and Stelvio.
Additionally, the price tag is likely to raise a few eyebrows as the notion of standard spec versus a lower sticker price, and then slapping on a series of options leading to an eventual higher final price, tends to resonate more with buyers at this end of the market.
Here is hoping though that Alfa Romeo now has what it takes to finally be taken seriously once again.
All models come standard with a five year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan
Giulia Veloce – R 989 900
Giulia QV – R 1 599 900
Stelvio Super – R 1 159 900
Stelvio Q – R 1 749 900
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