Alfa Romeo has announced what will likely be the final updates for both the Stelvio SUV and Giulia sedan before both are put out to pasture in their current, non-electrified forms.
The updates to both Giulia and Stelvio, which involve some mild styling changes and a few tech additions, are mostly shared across both closely related models, although no major mechanical changes have been made to the six-year-old models.
In addition to the changes to the cars themselves, a new limited variant has been added to the range in the form of the Competizione, which tops the range and debuts a new matte grey colour and some styling extras.
The updated Giulia and Stelvio are already confirmed for an Australian arrival, as well as the addition of the Competizione variant, with the local arm of Alfa Romeo’s parent company Stellantis announcing arrivals to begin in the first half of next year, with orders to start in February 2023.
Both models are visually updated through the addition of a full LED adaptive matrix headlight cluster, the ‘3+3’ lights shaped in a short row of three open rings, inspired by the lines of squared-off headlights of the boxy Alfa SZ coupe, and more recently sharing a link to the new Alfa Romeo Tonale small SUV.
The LEDs themselves both incorporate the turning indicators and also adapt to road conditions to dip high beams when faced with oncoming traffic or alter light intensity based on speed and conditions.
Alfa Romeo says the iconic Tilobo grille has been very slightly altered with a new finish, although that’s a slight change anyone but an Alfa anorak could miss.
Inside, a new instrument panel is now entirely digital, with a telescopic design and a large 12.3-inch screen for the driver. Three screen layouts, Evolved, Relax, and Heritage display information in various manners, the latter being notable for its 1960s and ‘70s inspiration that borrows elements like inverted numbers on the speedometer from the past.
Like the new Alfa Romeo Tonale small SUV, the Giulia and Stelvio will now be equipped with NFT technology to create a ‘digital certificate’ for the car, which keeps track of ownership and the car’s history, with things like servicing history stored as secure information in an effort to both retain vehicle resale value, and also assure future buyers of the car’s history.
Finally, the Giulia and Stelvio will now more closely mimic the Tonale’s trim levels. Super, Sprint, Ti, and Veloce are the trim options available, though Europe’s many engine options are limited to only one in Australia, the 2.0-litre turbo petrol four cylinder, with 206kW and 400Nm and in rear-wheel drive only.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio and its Stelvio equivalent, with the more powerful twin-turbo V6, is not part of the current update.
Topping the range for the standard Giulia is the Competizione specification, which wears a specific matte grey called Moon Light, and comes with 21-inch alloy wheels hiding red brake calipers. Inside, a Harman/Kardon audio system replaced the standard, while active suspension is also standard.
Keyword: Alfa Romeo updates Stelvio and Giulia for 2023 with new looks and NFT tech