Alfa Romeo Giulia officially unveiled

Alfa Romeo has finally unwrapped the Giulia, the brand’s most important model for over a decade.

Unveiled to the world at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, near Milan, today, the Giulia sets out to write a new page for the Italian marque, which is celebrating its 105th year of automotive manufacturing.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia will once again bring the brand into the premium compact executive segment, rivalling the likes of BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Lexus IS. In a surprising move, Alfa Romeo has unveiled the flagship model in the range, the M3 and c 63 AMG rivalling Giulia Quadrifoglio.

The proportions of the Giulia Quadrifoglio are based key elements of the Alfa Romeo technical architecture, including 50/50 weight balance and rear-wheel drive. In order to balance the weight perfectly, the engine and the mechanical parts are precisely arranged between the two axles. Because of this, the Giulia has very short overhangs, a long bonnet and front wings, a retracted passenger compartment ‘settled’ on the drive wheels and muscular rear wings which visually mark the point where power is unleashed onto the road.

The wheelbase is the longest in its class, but contained in one of the most compact bodies. These proportions draw the dynamic shape of an ellipsis in plan view. Furthermore, the rounded angles and the enveloping pillars convey momentum to the car creating a ‘drop-shaped’ profile which is reminiscent of the iconic Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint.

Under the bonnet of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is an all-aluminium six-cylinder turbo petrol tuned by engineers with Ferrari background. It delivers 510HP (380kW) and exhilarating performance: 0- to-100km/h in only 3.9 seconds.

The Giulia Quadrifoglio features Torque Vectoring with a double clutch to allow the rear differential to control the torque delivery to each wheel separately. In this manner, power transmission to the road is improved in low grip conditions. So spirited driving is always fun without ever having to run up against an invasive stability control system. The Integrated Brake System – an innovative electromechanical system which combines stability control and a traditional servo brake – offers instantaneous brake response and record-breaking stopping distances.

The Giulia also offers an Active Aero Splitter – a front system which actively manages downforce for higher performance and better grip at high speed. These state-of-the-art systems are all governed by Chassis Demand Control, the ‘brains’ of the on-board electronics which assigns tasks to optimise performance and driving pleasure.

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia also features a renewed Alfa DNA which modifies the car’s dynamic behaviour according to the driver’s selection: Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficient (energy efficiency mode implemented for the first time on an Alfa Romeo) and, naturally, Racing (on high-performance versions).

To obtain an excellent power-to-weight ratio, the Giulia makes use of ultralight materials throughout. Carbon fibre was chosen for the propeller shaft, the bonnet and the roof, while aluminium was picked for the engine, brakes, suspension and doors. Shedding weight further, the rear crossmember is made of aluminium composite and plastic.

In order to decrease the total weight, the braking system was tweaked using aluminium elements and carbon ceramic discs and the seats have a carbon fibre structural frame.

Alfa Romeo’s parent company Fiat Chrysler Australia President and CEO Pat Dougherty confirmed the Alfa Romeo Giulia was headed for Australia. “With a potent blend of performance and style, the Giulia is not just an all-new player in the luxury and sports car segments, but the opening chapter of something truly special for the Alfa Romeo brand globally,” said Dougherty.

“The Alfa Romeo Giulia takes all the excitement of the 4C and 4C supercars and pairs it with the kind of impeccable design and  sophistication only the Italians can deliver. It’s an instant classic, and I can’t wait to welcome it to Australia,” Dougherty added.