Y
es, I have always had a soft spot for Alfa Romeos, as have many ‘enthusiasts’. Always stylish, just that little bit quirky (the off front centre number plate a classic example) and different. But I’ve never actually bitten the bullet and owned one. I looked on enviously when a friend bought one some years back on a ‘really good deal’. Well, this beautiful Giulia may well have me counting the pennies as in Alfa’s 106-year history this car must rate as one of the best. It has to be said in recent years Alfa has fallen short of its high standards and allowed other marques to gain a march. So why should Alfa’s German competitors now have to take it seriously? To match the Audi A4, BMW 3 series and not to mention the Mercedes C class saloons, it has to be special – well, put very simply, it is. Let’s start with the Giulia’s breathtaking looks: solid, stylish and powerful. It handles as well as any of its rivals and the full-blooded Quadrifoglio model is effectively a Ferrari by another name.
Built on an all-new, rear-wheel drive platform, with an emphasis on weight reduction, there’s perfect weight distribution resulting in great handling agility. The new Giulia is powered by a range of advanced engines, including a Ferrari-inspired 2.9-litre turbo-charged V6 in the Quadrifoglio version. Sporty underpinnings define the car’s shape and strongly influence its design with stylists wrapping mechanical components in a frame dominated by a long bonnet, short overhangs, strong haunches and a long wheelbase. Under the bonnet beats the heart of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. The V6 produces 510hp with a resultant top speed of 191mph and a 0–62mph time of 3.9 seconds. Despite this, the Quadrifoglio returns a best in class CO2 emission level at 198g/km. This is largely thanks to its electronically-controlled cylinder disabling system and excellent aerodynamics. Transmitting this performance to the road is a sophisticated and advanced suspension system: the front employs a new double wishbone suspension with semi-virtual steering. This exclusive feature allows higher levels of lateral acceleration due to its always-perfect footprint.
26 essence-magazine.co.uk | JULY/AUGUST 2016