Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Despite receiving a rich series of updates with the 2022 package, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio has been spotted with the new headlights of the more recent Tonale. The image, which is shown below, highlights the presence of a set of new generation LED headlights, thinner and more attractive; it is therefore likely that Alfa Romeo may unveil an aesthetic update of the Stelvio to bring it closer to the brand new Tonale.Are there any other changes planned? Difficult to say, judging from the images the bumper looks unchanged but rims with a renewed design could come. If so, would it be a missed opportunity? Frankly we do not believe it, despite the years on its shoulders the Stelvio SUV still appears as one of the most modern and interesting available. A digital instrument panel and the integration of a series of new driving aids are expected inside, to make Stelvio (and similarly Giulia) in step with the times. Some rumors also suggest the unprecedented presence of Android Automotive, the Google operating system intended for cars and present only on very few cars.
The official date for the debut is still a mystery and we await a similar treatment for the Giulia sedan, much appreciated both in Italy and abroad.
Facelifted 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Caught Out In The Open With Tonale-Style Headlamps
Not long after a single photo of a headlight likely belonging to the 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio was spilled online and we have our first sighting of the facelifted SUV out on the streets. The image that was shared on numerous social media channels, including on Alfistitalia and Reddit, shows a lightly camouflaged Stelvio wearing the same triple-unit headlamps, which follow the styling of the Tonale, possibly integrating the same full-LED adaptive matrix headlights from Marelli.
The prototype seen here also appears to be riding on newly styled wheels. It’s hard to tell from this picture, but there may be some minor changes to the front bumper as well. (Updated 3/3/2022).
Original article follows below.
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Photo Reddit, Alfistitalia
Alfa Romeo just revealed the brand-new Tonale but the brand has not forgotten the Giulia and Stelvio models that will likely receive a much-needed facelift to carry on for a few more years. Previously, we had seen a single photo of an LED headlight that was uploaded on Instagram by @instalfisti.
The image doesn’t show much of the car but from the outline of the headlight, we can tell that it belongs to a Stelvio. While the shape is identical to the current model, the graphics are updated with three LED units clearly inspired by the ones on the smaller Tonale.
Image credits Instaflisti / InstagramThe timing of the post makes it more likely to come from the Alfa Romeo factory, since it would be very difficult for a tuner to design and produce a Tonale-inspired aftermarket part so close to its official debut. While our spy photographers haven’t spotted any camouflage prototypes of the Stelvio / Giulia driving around recently, Alfa Romeo could easily use the current model’s body and lighting units for testing purposes on public roads.
The Italians are famous for their clever use of resources during facelifts, so we suspect that the changes on the updated Giulia/Stelvio will be minor. Besides the redesigned LED graphics on the lighting units, the models could get a slightly tweaked bumper inspired by the Tonale, where the lower intakes merge with the scudetto grille thanks to the addition of black trim.
Read Also: Alfa Romeo Working On A Tonale Quadrifoglio Performance Model But Hasn’t Green-Lighted It Yet
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the brand’s first production SUV, debuted in 2016, a year after the mechanically related Giulia sedan. In 2019, the Italian company introduced the revised Giulia and Stelvio with improved materials and more tech although the exterior remained the same. Since then, the Stelvio has received a Veloce variant and a few special editions trying to grab buyers’ attention in a segment that is dominated by the Germans (BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC).
Alfa Romeo has pledged to become a fully electric brand by 2027, which means that the ICE-powered Giulia and Stelvio that are based on the Giorgio platform have five more years before being discontinued. This is plenty of time for a facelifted model’s lifecycle, with a styling update deemed necessary after six and seven years in the market.
Another key point is the debut of the Maserati Grecale this year, which is mechanically related to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. While the SUV will get Maserati-sourced powertrains, including a fully electric variant, we can’t help but wonder if any of the mechanical updates to the Giorgio platform could reach Alfa Romeo before it starts the exclusive use of PSA Group-sourced architectures in its future models.