2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
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Overview
When most people think "Alfa Romeo" the first thing that comes to mind is the car Dustin Hoffman drove in The Graduate, but true car fans know Alfa Romeo is more than that. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has dramatic styling, a poised chassis, and is built first and foremost to be a driver’s car. With a Ferrari-developed engine, this car was meant for speed and substantial power, the Giulia is the sports sedan gearheads have been waiting for. Staring at $73,995*, this sport sedan sounds like the makings of a new icon.
The Perfect Ride for…
The driver who favors the practicality of a sedan but also wants head-turning engine sound and remarkable speed. Perfect for any commute, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio seats five, including the driver. The sedan four-door convenience, as well as rear seat heating and cooling to ensure that everyone enjoys the premium experience of Alfa Romeo. This vehicle is a driver's car that doesn't ignore the passengers.
Power and Handling
The top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio variant is aimed squarely at sports sedans like the BMW M3 and comes armed for that fight with some high-caliber weaponry. Its weapon of choice is the standard aluminum 90-degree 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. It produces an astounding 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful production Alfa Romeo engine ever. Alfa Romeo claims this gives this car a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 7 pounds per horsepower, and weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear axles, as is power thanks to the innovative Q4 all-wheel drive. That power is harnessed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This speed demon will do 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 191 mph. It also claims this vehicle turned a 7:32 lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the infamous German racetrack that has become a yardstick for production-car performance. That’s the fastest time ever for a production four-door sedan, according to Alfa Romeo. To reign in that unflappable power, Active Suspension, a well-balanced weight distribution, and multi-link rear suspension give this powerhouse precision handling.
Features and Trims
Even the base model Giulia is well equipped with standard features including 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires; Bi-xenon projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, taillights and ambient lighting; a 7-inch TFT info screen; and an 6.5-inch radio screen with voice recognition that includes AM/FM/HD Radio™,Bluetooth®, and an eight-speaker audio system.
However, this ultra-deluxe version lives and breathes elite performance. With features like the carbon ceramic Brembo® brake system, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System, eight-way power adjustable leather and simulated suede performance front seats, and driver assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, this super sedan is the epitome of practical performance. The selectable Drive Modes allow you to tailor the performance of this car to exactly what the moment demands with four modes: Race, Dynamic, Natural or Advanced Efficiency.
In addition, owners can customize their vehicle with several packages that enhance the overall performance and experience. The Nero Edizione Package amplifies the menacing appearance of this remarkable car, with Dark Miron Exterior Badging, Dark Miron V Scudetto Grille Insert, and 19-Inch Dark Aluminum Wheels. To truly emulate the race car spirit of the Giulia Quadrifoglio, the Exterior Carbon Fiber Package adds Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps, a Carbon Fiber V Scudetto Grille, and 19-Inch Dark Aluminum Wheels.
Design
The notion of emotional Italian styling always seems to be a tired cliché, until another stylish Italian car comes along. The Giulia Quadrifoglio exists in a segment dominated by German luxury brands and their restrained design language, but its looks can put sports cars to shame.
It looks like a concept car come to life; in fact, it’s hard to believe a car that looks this good could really be a practical four-door. The overhangs are short and the wheel arches tighten over the rims like well-built muscles, giving the Giulia an aggressive stance. The traditional “shield” grille and sleek headlights give the car a face that’s instantly identifiable as Alfa Romeo. It also manages an impressive 0.32 drag coefficient, thanks in part to an active front splitter.
On the inside, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is uncompromising. An asymmetrical instrument panel puts the focus on the driver, and a Formula One-inspired three-spoke steering wheel is the perfect instrument for helming this driving machine. To give the cabin an upscale feel, Alfa Romeo splurged for plenty of real carbon fiber and aluminum trim, plus accent stitching on the leather-covered parts, including French stitching on the dashboard.
Combining the best of both worlds, the instrument cluster includes a 7.0-inch driver information display sandwiched between two white-on-black analog gauges. The Giulia Quadrifoglio also gets the automaker's new 3D Navigation system, with an 8.8-inch display screen. This system includes “performance pages” that show vehicle data and telemetry and is controlled through the rotary pad gesture recognition system. Simply moving a finger over the pad allows the driver to access different functions.
The standard leather and Alcantara sport seats should provide plenty of support during enthusiastic driving, but truly hardcore drivers can also opt for Sparco racing seats. They have even more aggressive bolstering than the standard seats, and their carbon-fiber shells also reduce weight.
Alternative Options
The Italian lifestyle knows no bounds. If you want all performance and ultralight speed, then look no further than the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. This little predator spins a web of horsepower thanks to a carbon fiber and aluminum monocoque chassis, offering an incredible power to weight ratio. If you want versatility and utility in addition to unstoppable power, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is the luxury SUV that has it all. You'll get expansive refinement and comfort inside while getting outrageous capability and speed from under the hood.
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* MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. Stelvio starting at price refers to the base model with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.
Image Credit: Alfa Romeo