Hot blooded Italian

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Passion wagon

Giulia. It’s many a long year since that evocative name graced the front of an Alfa Romeo.The last time we remember seeing one in anger it was perched on the edge of a roof in the Italian job! On that occasion the Flying squad car failed to keep up. But the idea of putting a pokey twin cam engine in a saloon was a concept noticed here in the UK and gave birth to the British equivalent, the Lotus Cortina.

flying squad

Old giulia

It was, wait for it, seven minutes and thirty-nine seconds. A whole fourteen seconds faster than a BMW M4!

In 2016, the resurgent Alfa has decided quite rightly to revive this iconic name, albeit with more fire in its belly than ever before. The Quadrifoglio, or QV, is set to take on the might of the Germans in a hot car showdown that just a few years ago would have seemed impossible. And proof if proof were needed is the time the car set around the daddio of all test tracks, the Nürburgring.

Giulia 1

It was, wait for it, seven minutes and thirty-nine seconds. A whole fourteen seconds faster than a BMW M4! Bet that got the attention of the boys in Munich and Ingolstadt!

Now it comes as no surprise that an Alfa would be good around the twisty bits of the Eifel mountains. But to outpoke an M4 is seriously going some. The 510BHP twin turbo V6 tucked under that curvaceous snout was apparently worked over by their mates in Modena. So no surprise that it can seriously punch its weight and a zero to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds tends to confirm that. As does the top speed of 191mph!!

guilia vineyard

Of course Alfa does have history with the V6. Cast your mind back if you can to the beautiful iteration that sat beneath the bonnet of the GTV. Unfortunately this version doesn’t boast the amazing plumbing of its predecessor, but does rather top it for power.

Alfa V6

Alfa V6 twin turbo

It has to be said too that it really does look the part. Unlike the somewhat delicate proportions of it’s junior sibling the Giulietta, the Giulia makes its intentions loud and clear. Talking of loud, that V6 Alfa sounds like Pavarotti gargling grappa. Check out the video, turn up the sound and you’ll hear what we mean.

Think of it as a pizza, with quadruple extra pepperoni and chilli.

There will in be a less full blooded versions of the Giulia launched as well but for us this has got to be the one. Mind you the predicted price tag of around £53,000 might need some saving for. There will also be a more hardcore version sporting carbon fibre roofed and bonnet, ceramic brakes and Sparco racing seats and that will run out at some way over £60k.

guilia dash

So there you have it. The new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. Think of it as a pizza, with quadruple extra pepperoni and chilli. Mama mia that’s hot!

Tags: , , Published on 19th February 2016