Alfa Romeo Giulia And Stelvio Refuse To Die, Get Another Update Instead

In an ironic twist of fate, two of the most exciting cars Stellantis has to offer are also among the oldest in its sprawling lineup. The Giulia and Stelvio are getting really old by modern automotive standards. The sedan arrived way back in 2015, followed by the SUV in 2016, meaning both are now into their second decade of existence. And yet, instead of being quietly ushered toward retirement, Alfa Romeo is giving them another update and keeping both around for a little while longer.

One notable addition is an interior camera for driver monitoring, and this isn't simply Alfa Romeo deciding its customers need another camera pointed at them. The system is tied to new European Union safety regulations that require driver-monitoring technology in new cars to help detect signs of distraction and fatigue.

Built into the A-pillar, the camera monitors the driver's condition and can issue warnings when it detects that their attention is drifting away from the road. It's another example of how increasingly difficult it is to buy a new car in Europe without some form of electronic babysitter. The Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) is mandatory in all cars sold in Europe, from the cheapest Dacia Sandero to the most expensive Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The Alfa Romeo Duo Keeps Its Gas And Diesel Engines

More importantly, the two old-timers are sticking around with the same basic recipe that made them interesting in the first place. The European lineup continues with the 160-horsepower 2.2-liter turbodiesel with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, as well as the 210-hp version with Q4 all-wheel drive. In the UK and some other markets, the 280-hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine remains available.

And then there's the fun stuff. The Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio are still alive and kicking, powered by the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 520 hp. The sedan sends that power to the rear wheels, while the SUV gets Q4 all-wheel drive. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio also gains standard 21-inch wheels, replacing the previous 20-inch setup.

The lineup for 2027 has been restructured around the Sprint, Veloce, and new Edizione Luna Rossa versions, topped as usual by the versions wearing the four-leaf clover. The latter also come with new black-and-white Alfa Romeo emblems at the front and rear, along with a new paint color called Anodized Blue.

Shopping for a Quadrifoglio includes a one-day driving course at the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy. It’s not exclusive to the range-topping Giulia and Stelvio; you can add it as an option when configuring a lower model.

The Next-Gen Models Aren't Coming Anytime Soon

You’re in for a long wait if you would rather get a next-generation model. Both the Giulia and Stelvio won’t be renewed anytime soon, with Alfa Romeo releasing a statement earlier this year about how the replacements are not ready yet:

'Alfa Romeo is studying solutions to continue competing in the D-segment with new interpretations of the current range made up of the Giulia and Stelvio, staying true to its performance-oriented DNA while adapting to the evolution of the market. The brand will leverage flexible platforms to progressively introduce multi-energy solutions, including hybrid and electric powertrains. More details will be communicated at a later stage.'

From this, we can deduce that the once electric-only plan has been revised to include combustion engines, but the timing is still murky at this stage. Don’t hold your breath to see the all-new models before 2028 at the earliest.

In the meantime, Alfa Romeo appears determined to reheat the same old soup, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing since the Giulia and Stelvio remain among the best-driving cars in their respective segments. I’d argue their designs have aged rather gracefully, and I certainly wouldn’t mind that interior either, with a screen neatly integrated into the dashboard and plenty of physical controls still around. Many automakers that went screen-heavy and buttonless have pledged to go back to the old ways, but ironically, since Alfa Romeo never fully renewed these cars, it won't have that problem.