Fashion Crime? Alfa Romeo Introduces 'Nero Edizione' Giulia and Stelvio
We may be giving Europeans more credit for pioneering fashion than they deserve. Dress shoes without socks? The Italians started that heinous trend and it’s unforgivable. But Italy also gave us Alfa Romeo, a brand that persists solely because of the warm feeling it evokes in a specific subset of the motoring population. Someone who owns an Alfa probably cares about style and they’ll happily discuss the merits of being fashionable while wrapped in designer clothing.
That’s why we were surprised when the brand introduced black editions of the Giulia and Stelvio at the New York International Auto Show. Officially called “Nero Edizione,” the appearance package removes every square centimeter of shiny trim and replaces it with a flat black alternative. While the murdering out of cars feels distinctly American, it isn’t. The trend spilled over into nearly every automaker with a global footprint and is now appearing in showrooms worldwide.
Still, it feels more than a little odd for Alfa to chase the de-chromed trend this late in the game.
The package, limited to four-cylinder models, is likely the blackest money can buy. Assuming you also ordered black paint, a Nero Edizione Alfa would be entirely devoid of color. Even pitch-colored calipers can be optioned — although red and yellow stoppers are also available.
Both the Giulia and Stelvio have their grille surround, mirror caps, rear skidplate, headlamp bezels, roof rails, window surrounds, and all exterior badging replaced with blackened variants. The same applies to the wheels, which receive caps with a desaturated version of the Alfa Romeo logo. While not available right away, Giulias and Stelvios will eventually be available with black exhaust tips, too.
In person, the overall impression is one of added menace and slightly lessened class. The vehicles seem more stripped down, serious, and ready to race. But the Nero Edizione doesn’t feel more expensive, despite being an optional appearance package requiring additional investment. Depending upon one’s taste, the black edition Alfas could easily rub you the wrong way or stroke you under the chin. This author hates it.
[Images: Alfa Romeo]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Nice try at working in the fashion angle, Posky, but Italians wear loafers without socks, not dress shoes. Your review would have been a lot stronger without this heinous, unforgivable metaphor.
My God, those are lovely vehicles!