2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Bound for Dealerships Next Summer
LOS ANGELES – The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio high-performance sedan is designed to take on the world’s top sport sedans with a standard 505-horsepower V6, Brembo brakes and a driver-adjustable suspension. Production is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2016.
According to Alfa Romeo, the base MSRP for the high-performance Quadrifoglio sedan will be “around $70,000.” The base Giulia will start closer to $40,000.
At its price point, the Giulia Quadrifoglio will compete with such models as the BMW M3, Cadillac ATS-V, Lexus GS F and Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG C63 S
The name Giulia (pronounced Julia) harkens back to a series of performance models produced by Alfa Romeo from 1962-’78. The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio continues this performance heritage with a “Ferrari-derived” 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 505 hp and 443 pound-feet of torque and comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a paddle-shifted eight-speed automatic.
Alfa says the Quadrifoglio will go from zero to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 191 mph.
Although EPA ratings are not yet available, an engine-management system that deactivates three of the cylinders, coupled with stop-start technology, helps to boost fuel economy.
The new Giulia Quadrifoglio also draws on the marque’s tradition for some of its styling touches, notably the signature Alfa Romeo shield nestled within the iconic triangular grille, not to mention the conspicuous four-leaf clover at the top of the front quarter-panels.
But even though a few historic cues are present in the new model, the rest of it is clearly future-oriented.
“The all-new Giulia is not just a new car, but an entirely new benchmark that represents the next chapter in Alfa Romeo’s rich 105-year heritage,” said Reid Bigland, head of the Alfa Romeo brand for North America, in a statement. “With an all-new lightweight platform and class-leading power and handling, the all-new Giulia delivers on the pedigree of incredible technology, race-inspired performance and Italian design and style.”
Up-to-date technology includes Chassis Domain Control, which coordinates all of the car’s active systems, such as stability control, torque-vectoring, adaptive damping suspension and active aero front splitter, as well as a mode selector that provides driving experiences ranging from “Natural” to “Race.”
The interior features sport seats wrapped in premium leather and Alcantara, trimmed with carbon fiber and aluminum, along with a racing-inspired steering wheel, a color 7-inch driver information display and large, white-on-black analog gauges.
Other interior touches include a central 8.8-inch display with 3-D graphic navigation, a rotary-pad control with gesture recognition and available ultra-lightweight Sparco racing seats.
In the area of weight reduction, the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s hood, roof, driveshaft, front splitter and rear spoiler are all made from carbon fiber, while its front and rear frame members, front shock towers, brakes, suspension components, doors and fenders are aluminum.
Edmunds says: Alfa’s return to the U.S. market hinges on the success of the Giulia. The high-powered Quadrifoglio is a good start, but we’ll have to see how well the lesser models compete before making any predictions.
