Auto123 attends a virtual presentation of Alfa Romeo’s updated models for… 2020.
Those who look at the industry know that Alfa Romeo has a tendency to do things his way. While this is refreshing, sometimes it can also be a little tricky to maintain your reasoning.
Yesterday, the company, now a subsidiary of the FCA Group (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), invited us to a small virtual presentation to make some announcements about the brand’s models. Thus, we were informed of the evolutions made to the products of the range, which consist basically of aesthetic and technological updates.
Nothing odd there. Except that the changes are for the 2020 models. Yes, 2020. It’s July, let’s remember. What about the 2021 versions? Of course, they’ll also benefit from these improvements, but other changes may come. And we’re not sure when the 2021 vintages will show up. Anyways, as we were saying, Alfa Romeo often goes its own way…
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Front and centre in this show-and-tell was the Giulia sedan, which we learned benefits from changes to the design of its cabin and multimedia system.
The centre console, for one, was redesigned to give it a slightly more classic look, but also to make it more functional, both in terms of storage and ergonomics. Same goes for the steering wheel, which benefits from some minor tweaks.
However, the main focus is on the settings to the multimedia system. In undeniable terms, the unit that fit the models until now was a general disaster. Worse, while touch screens dominate the day, here menus are available only through a dial. And the challenge was aggravated through an unnecessarily confusing interface, which, through maximum measurements, dates back some time to the Paleolithic era.
The new generation seems much more user-friendly and, yes, it will be able to receive touch commands. The screen size has gone from 6.5 inches to 8.8 inches, which is good, and buyers can choose to get navigation with it or not. Of course, we’ll know how good it really is when we get to use it, but Alfa Romeo at least appears to have taken a step forward here.
Alternatively, a new connectivity formula (Alpha Connect) allows you to accomplish certain purposes remotely with your phone, such as starting, locking or unlocking the vehicle, activating the alarm formula and emergency calls to roadside assistance. Wireless charging for cellular devices can be presented as an option.
The Giulia will also gain advantages from Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities, which means that on the road, thanks to adaptive cruise control, it will be imaginable to let the car advise you at safe distances, even when braking and acceleration is required.
All these adjustments are obviously meant to keep the style competitive in the market. The Giulia is the most popular of its segment, however, Alfa Romeo sees its presence in North America from a long-term perspective; you need to increase the market share of the style, one step at a time.
The next great new feature of this manufacturer will be the arrival of the Tonale SUV. You’ll get advantages from the items that have just been presented.
In the meantime, we will have the opportunity to revisit the new progressive 2020 models when we see them in person over the next few weeks.