Alfa Romeo has long been thought of in North America as the automotive brand that time forgot. For decades, drivers on this side of the Atlantic Ocean could only dream of past times when new Alfa convertibles such as the Giulietta Spider were available at a local dealership. Sales ended here in 1995, but a new and refreshed Alfa Romeo is returning to Canada and the US with a passion for selling high-performance sports cars that rival Audi, Porsche and BMW.
The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is just that; a legitimate rival for the best Germany and Asia has to offer in a first class drive experience. Designed and built in Italy, the Giulia Quadrifoglio delivers 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Zero to100 km/h takes just 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 307 km/h. By comparison, the more expensive 2016 BMW M5 Sedan with 550 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque requires 4.3 seconds to achieve 100 km/h. It appears the 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio is ready for prime time.
The Ferrari-built bi-turbo V6 makes the Giulia Quadrifoglio the most powerful Alfa Romeo production car ever for the famous Italian automaker. Alfa claims a near perfect 50/50 weight ratio for superior handling and direct steering adds to the fun. Rear-wheel drive is standard, along with torque vectoring, active aero front splitter and Chassis Domain Control to enhance performance.
Muscular shoulders, powerful lines, short overhangs and an elongated nose define the new Quadrifoglio. The world’s first integrated braking system makes its debut as well, Brembo brakes are standard equipment. Inside, premium leather and Alcantara interior combinations are available on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Built at the Cassino plant in Frosinone, Italy, the Giulia nameplate traces its heritage back 55 years as a lightweight sedan crafted for road courses around the world. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is the most potent Alfa in the current line-up and a critical model for the company as it seeks to relaunch in North America. Priced to start at $70,000 US, (Canadian pricing not yet announced) the first vehicles are expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2016.