ALFA USA - let's make it right, please...
Thanks for updating. I don't get all the delays and problems with releasing the software, why is it so hard for Alfa? Its very frustrating and confusing trying to purchase the car. Who the heck knows when and if the "if equipped" options are ever going to actually be functional. I am glad I am finding this out now because if I ordered/purchased and two months later a feature came out I wanted and wasn't aware at purchase I would not be happy at all (ie the gesture lift gate, touchpad and actual Car Play functionality - not just hardware and no idea when the software is coming)
In my opinion Alfa should not have released a "half finished" product with all these "its coming" and "if equipped" then on top of it no real answers on when those things are coming. I understand some of you on here aren't waiting for those features and are interested in the pure drivability and design of the car which there is no doubt they nailed. But for the rest of us and a good amount of the buying public in the US we do want these things in a luxury car purchase, much less expensive non luxury brands offer these things and more. Perhaps they should have produced a smaller amount of inventory to cater to those not caring much about the other tech stuff we do. Then when all the other features are ready (and not just "if equipped" or "coming" ) do a full release. I'm frustrated I cannot pull the trigger and there is no real information from Alfa.
I hear you loud and clear, and truly hope ALFA USA will put some backbone and muscle into the game, and demand that these Stelvios are fitted or refitted with the equipment that's been marketed for these very new and super vehicles - I bought every available upgrade for my three month old 2018 TI SPORT, except the donut tire, and I'm in the same situation; the half of the manual (that I received with my Stelvio), about the upgrades (e.g., HK sound system) and packages I thought I purchased in those highest level upgrades and packages available, either do not work, or do not exist, or may or may not ever exist, but they're being advertised and promoted, and were in the brochure given to me before I made my purchase.
I'm glad to have my Stelvio, now; I love it. I knew when Alfa decided to come back to the US, they'd have great cars to offer, and everything about driving the Ti Sport is thrilling. But it does anger me a bit that Alfa USA can pay for half time reports on televised college basketball games (last night's Kansas/K-State game), but can't install a rear door lift sensor in a $54k vehicle, or working touch pad, or...
The real advertising is here, Alfa, with your owners and all the others that have yet to buy but know what Alfa means to those of us that love to drive, so lets put some money in that, getting our cars right for the market. I loved driving all three of my former Alfas, and love driving this new Alfa even more, so I'm good, but as can be seen clearly in the Stelvio Forum conversations, the market wants this stuff to be right.
Good luck to all...
PS: I have been using the ALFA USA name as if it is a legal name or something, I'm not sure about that, but I know there is a leadership team here in the USA (Pieter Hogeveen is/was director - invite sent, but no link on linked-in) , and that group is to whom generally I refer, that need to get this stuff straight - these beautiful cars should be brought in line with the advertising and expectations set in the US market. I could have had any car in the class, as I'm sure most Alfa owners could, but I chose Stelvio and ALFA for the
thrill and throttle, and I love it, but I do wish ALFA USA could just go ahead and deliver on the expectations their media has set, so we can get on with the fun:wink , and someday I might actually wave to another Alfa on the road...