Previewed: Alfa Romeo Giulia & Stelvio – Veloce Guise, Est. From RM400,000, Jan 2026 Launch

Alfa Romeo has been resurrected in Malaysia! Previewed were two offerings - the Giulia sports saloon and its lifted crossover twin the Stelvio, both in sporty 'Veloce' trim.

After being dormant for 12 years, the Alfa Romeo marque has been resurrected locally. In a special preview event held last night at Glasshouse @ Seputeh, DLSB Partners Sdn Bhd were announced as the marque’s new representatives.

Here’s a quick history lesson: Alfa Romeo was first carried in Malaysia by City Motors throughout the 1960s and 1970s before Milan Auto did in 1990s. Sime Darby – via Sime Darby Auto Italia – then carried the mantle from 2005 to 2013.

Before we detail both the Giulia and Stelvio models previewed, here are some key facts you ought to know about the people rebooting the legendary Italian marque locally now…

Datuk Douglas Cheng, Executive Director of Alfa Romeo Malaysia (DLSB Partners) giving his keynote address last night.

DLSB Partners Are The New Distributors

Part of the Atlantis Motor Group, the firm serves as a private independent distributor. More specifically, it operates under what brand principals Stellantis Malaysia (Stellantis) described as a “low-volume boutique retailer”.

A quick chat with Isaac Yeo, MD of Stellantis ASEAN, who was also present last night, revealed that a similar arrangement with another firm is set to the Jeep brand locally too. An official announcement for which is coming soon enough.

Isaac Yeo, MD of Stellantis ASEAN, was also present for last night's preview. A quick chat revealed a similar 'boutique' arrangement will be established for the Jeep marque too.

Back to Alfa Romeo, DLSB Partners aren’t taking the marque’s reboot lightly – rightfully so given the passion for which amongst local fans and prospects for the Milan-rooted crest. Presented last night also were its plans for a local network.

It starts with a flagship 3S showroom outlet located in Rhapsody Square, TREC KL that opens next month (Dec), followed by future satellite outlets in both Penang and Johor Bahru to cover the northern and southern regions respectively.

One of the slides presented last night detailing the planned network for Alfa Romeo Malaysia with outlets in KL, Penang and Johor Bahru first.

Ahead of which, DLSB Partners elected to preview both the Giulia sports saloon and its lifted Giulia SUV twin locally. Ahead of last night’s preview, registration of interest (ROI) are now opened online for both models too.

Another surprise came when the firm also revealed intent to introduce two more models in the near future - the Tonale and Junior crossover SUVs. No timelines were stated for which yet as all efforts are focused on the Giulia and Stelvio duo mentioned first.

Both are expected to officially launch with final prices in Jan 2026 instead. Here’s what you ought to know about both, which are tagged with an estimated price tags of RM400,000 each presently.

The Giulia Veloce is a sports saloon offering rivals both the BMW M340i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic.

Giulia Veloce – Fancy A 280 hp Sports Saloon?

Essentially, given both its estimated price tag of RM400,000 and promised performance levels, the Giulia in Veloce trim stands as an Italian-flavoured alternative to the likes of the BMW M340i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic.

At the heart of the Giulia Veloce is a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill outputting 280 hp and 400 Nm to its rear wheels solely (RWD) via a ZF-supplied 8-speed automatic box. Altogether, this setup yields century sprints in 5.7 secs and a 240 km/h V-max.

Primed in the powertrain too is a Q2 limited-slip diff, as well as a carbon fibre driveshaft. Key chassis hardware include a variable electric power steering, double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension assemblies, and a claimed 50:50 weight distribution.

The Giulia in Veloce guise lives up to its 'sports saloon' status thanks to a properly sorted powertrain and chassis combination.

Other highlights include Alfa Romeo’s signature 19-inch telephone dial wheels wrapped in staggered 225/40 (front) and 255/35 (rear) tyre profiles, as well as fixed quad-piston (front) and floating single-piston (rear) brake calipers combination.

On board, the driver-focused cabin design is decked out with plenty of tech and amenities. Basics here include rake- and reach-adjustable steering with paddle-shifters, followed by sports leather seats sporting dark grey stitching motif.

On board, the Giulia also boasts a driver-focused cabin design brimmed with stylish Italian luxe plus a high degree of tech.

Other highlights include an interactive 12.3-inch TFT instrument panel, 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a premium 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio suite plus a wireless charging pad.

Capping the features list off is a full-swing of advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) features that include adaptive cruise control plus lane-keep assist. In turn, this suite yields Level 2-rated semi-autonomous driving abilities.

As for the Stelvio, it's set to rival against the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic Coupe and Porsche Macan.

Stelvio Veloce – An Italian Macan Rival

This lifted crossover SUV twin to the Giulia mentioned was also shown in ‘Veloce’ trim shown last night, and it serves to rival against the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic Coupe and perhaps the Porsche Macan thanks again to both its RM400,000 estimate price, promised performance, and kit level.

In this from, the Stelvio shares the Giulia Veloce’s blown 2.0-litre 4-cyl powerplant, transmission, and claimed 280 hp and 400 Nm outputs. The key twist here is this crossover’s added adoption of Alfa Romeo’s Q4 all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup.

The latter enabled this taller and slightly heftier crossover to match its low and booted sedan twin’s century sprint time of 5.7 secs, though it makes do with a slightly lower V-max of just 230 km/h instead.

Despite being taller and heftier, the AWD-equipped Stelvio Veloce also promises similar driving thrills as its low and booted Giulia Veloce twin.

On board, the Stelvio Veloce shares much of the luxe, amenities and style as seen in the Giulia Veloce.

Justifying its name that pays homage to the famed Stelvio Pass, this sporty SUV also sees its chassis promise a 50:50 weight distribution. Shared with the Giulia too are key hardware like the brakes, electric steering, and suspension assemblies.

One notable difference here is the rolling stock. The Stelvio still rocks Alfa Romeo’s bellisimo telephone dial wheels too, but you’ll find larger 20-inch ones instead in this crossover, all wrapped in 255/45-profile tyres.

On board, the Stelvio Veloce also mirrors its sedan twin in terms of style, luxe, amenities and kit. Included are the digital displays detailed, sports seats and cabin trims, not forgetting the Level 2-rated ADAS suite too.

Warranties and after-sales coverage schemes remains TBA, but expected once both models are officially launched in Jan 2026.

Warranties & After-Sales Are TBA Still

As this was a preview, DLSB Partners did not shed light on the planned warranties and after-sales coverage schemes it will offer. As Carz.com.my understands, this is still being worked out, but the firm promises it will be at least on par with its peers.

Final details for which, as well as firm prices, should all be announced when both models are officially launched in Jan 2026.

Though still too early to gauge if this renewed boutique approach could prove successful for the marque in the long run, we’re certain many local Alfisti – this writer included – have rejoiced over this resurrection effort, and wishes Buono Fortuna to DLSB Partners.