New photos of the mildly improved 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV were released in China, courtesy of Autohome. These images give us a closer look at the interior, where we noticed that, at least on the Chinese market model, one of our biggest gripes with the current car’s cabin, the cheap looking and feeling (for this category) faux aluminum plastics trims on the dash and doors remain. We’ll have to wait and see whether that’s the case with the North American market model too.  [Updated 11/17/2019]

We already knew the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio platform siblings would be given a 2020MY update but we did not expect to see them debut in China first, as it was believed they would make their first global appearance at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Alfa Romeo has gone mad because these cars look exactly the same as before. That’s true, but only as far as the exterior design is concerned. The interiors see important upgrades meant to make the Giulia and Stelvio look and feel more premium.

Both models get a new 8.8-inch touchscreen for the upgraded infotainment system which now offers a Wi-Fi hotspot, over-the-air software upgrades, integrated emergency call function, and call assistant function.

Related: FCA Slaughtered Alfa Romeo’s Future Product Plan – 8C And GTV Coupes Among The Victims

2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia

In addition, the multimedia system offers new functions available via the smartphone such as remote control lock, unlock and light flash, determination of a stolen vehicle’s location, and more.

Also new are the leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and gear lever, as well as dashboard materials which are apparently nicer to look at and touch.

2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

In China, the 2020 Giulia and Stelvio only offer a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine available in two states of tune: 200 PS (197 HP) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) or 280 PS (276 HP) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). Both are matched to a ZF-made eight-speed automatic transmission.

Prices in China start from RMB 379,800 ($54,200) for the Giulia and RMB 456,800 ($65,190) for the Stelvio. Alfa Romeo will roll out similar changes to the Giulia and Stelvio for European and North American markets.

We’ll see both of them imminently, as they’ve already been confirmed for the 2019 LA Auto Show that opens for the press on November 18.

Photo credits: Autohome, PCAuto