Alfa Romeo has unveiled a number of infotainment and connected service updates for the brand’s latest Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models.
The Italian manufacturer has refreshed the HMI to shift toward a system that Alfa Romeo says is simple, user-friendly and intuitive. The central display in both cars is now touchscreen and adopts an all-new layout with widgets that can be dragged and dropped to create a fully customisable homepage, in which each of the vehicle’s functions becomes an app.
Horizontal scrolling calls up the access screens for Alfa DNA, a menu for radio, media, smartphone, navigation, climate control, connected services and ADAS. The driver can choose between the updated rotary knob or the touchscreen to control the new infotainment system.
Exclusively available on the Quadrifoglio models, the new Performance Pages shows the temperatures of the main mechanical components, torque delivery, turbo pressure and power used, as well as digital chronometers to measure acceleration and maximum speed, allowing the driver to view performance levels and vehicle status in real time.
The new 7in TFT screen in the heart of the instrument cluster is also now standard across the whole Giulia and Stelvio range. The screen layout has been redesigned to offer more information, and to accommodate the autonomous driving technology parameters.
Alfa Connected Services now features as standard on the Quadrifoglio models, to deliver advanced onboard connectivity and a set of services to boost safety and comfort. The full suite of Alfa Connected Services will be expanded to include the following functions in 2020.
- My Assistant enables the occupant to send a request for assistance to a call center, with the vehicle’s position and identification code, by pressing the SOS button or via the mobile app. In the event of an accident, the call goes out automatically. In case of a vehicle breakdown, a call can be sent to the roadside assistance service with the vehicle’s coordinates by pressing the Assist button. The My Assistant package also includes a service report, which keeps customers updated on their vehicle’s health via monthly email reports.
- My Remote enables remote control of several vehicle functions. Drivers can set speed and area limits as well as check the location of the vehicle and they will receive alerts, via a smartphone or smartwatch, Amazon Alexa or Google Home voice assistance systems, if the set parameters are breached.
- My Navigation comprises applications for remote search for destination and points of interest (POI) and real-time traffic, weather and speed camera alerts. The package also includes the Send & Go service, enabling the driver to send the destination to their navigation straight from their smartphone or the web portal.
Other services to join the suite include My Car, which enables owners to monitor their car’s health and parameters; My Wi-Fi, which allows an internet connection to be shared between up to eight onboard devices; My Theft Assistance, which alerts the owner of any attempt to steal the car; and My Fleet Manager, intended for fleet management.
With the newest model updates, the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio introduce new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), developed in conjunction with Bosch, to offer Level 2 autonomous driving, which leaves the pleasure of sitting behind the wheel intact and only intervenes to ensure total safety and to increase driver comfort in heavy traffic or on longer trips.
Level 2 autonomy, the highest level of autonomous driving currently permitted, is achieved by definition when the driver gives the car control of the accelerator, brakes and steering under certain conditions. The driver however must remain in control of the vehicle, by always keeping their hands on the steering wheel.
The main enabling technologies in the Quadrifoglio MY20 are:
- Lane Keep Assist: detects whether the vehicle is veering off from its lane if one of the direction indicators has not been triggered, and advises the driver using visuals and haptics, with active intervention to steer the vehicle back into lane.
- Active Blind Spot Assist: monitors rear blind spots but also reports any approaching vehicles and corrects steering to avoid a collision.
- Active Cruise Control: automatically adjusts the car’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicles in front. In conjunction with the traffic sign recognition system, this technology adjusts the speed to within the set limit, for a more comfortable drive. Fitted as standard to the Quadrifoglio models.
- Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Speed Control: this system uses the onboard camera, recognises traffic signs, reports them on the display, and alerts the driver to the current speed limit. The system therefore suggests the driver reduces their speed to the limit detected. If the driver accepts, the cruise control settings are automatically adjusted.
- Traffic Jam Assist and Highway Assist: to complement Active Cruise Control, these features monitor lateral positioning, keeping the car in the middle of the lane in heavy traffic (Traffic Jam Assistant) or on the highway (Highway Assist), while also adjusting the speed according to the current limits.
- Driver Attention Assist: monitors driver drowsiness and triggers an alert if necessary.
