Alfa Romeo has released full details of its highly-anticipated BMW 3 Series rival, the new 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia, ahead of its on-sale date sometime later this year. Unveiled last June in M3-baiting Quadrifoglio guise and in standard form at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Giulia a big deal for the Alfisti, as it’s the first rear-wheel drive sports sedan from Milan since the long-departed 75.
The standard Giulia will be available in regular and Super variants, powered at launch by a sole 2.2 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel. It’s Alfa’s first all-aluminium oil-burner – equipped with MultiJet II commonrail direct injection with Injection Rate Shaping (IRS), as well as a variable geometry turbocharger – and puts out 150 hp at 4,000 rpm and 380 Nm at 1,500 rpm. A high-output version is also available, churning out 180 hp at 3,750 rpm and 450 Nm at 1,750 rpm.
Those yearning for much more power can opt for the Quadrifoglio, which sports a Ferrari-inspired 2.9 litre twin-turbocharged V6, pushing out a massive 510 hp and over 600 Nm of torque. So equipped, the Giulia will sprint from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 3.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 307 km/h.
It’s not all power, though – the engine also has a cylinder deactivation system to improve fuel consumption, as well as delivering carbon dioxide emissions of just 198 grams per kilometre with the manual – impressive for a car with those performance credentials. All models are available with either a six-speed manual transmission (in left-hand drive markets only) or a ZF eight-speed automatic.
Enhancing performance is the lightweight construction employed on the Giulia. Aluminium is used on the doors, wheel arches, bonnet, suspension system and brakes, and even the standard model gets a carbon fibre propshaft. The result is a dry weight of just 1,374 kg and a perfect weight distribution front-to-rear.
Punt for the Quadrifoglio and you’ll get a carbon roof, bonnet, front splitter, side skirt inserts and rear spoiler thrown in as well, and you can also specify carbon ceramic brakes and Sparco seats with a carbon fibre structural frame. Weighing 1,524 kg dry, it has a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.99 kg per horsepower.
Under the skin, the Giulia features a new front double wishbone suspension to ensure a constant tyre footprint in the corners and high lateral acceleration, with a semi-virtual steering axis for improved steering feel filtering and a quicker, more accurate rack. At the rear sits a patented AlfaLink four-and-a-half-link rear suspension that ensures maximum performance, driving enjoyment and comfort.
An Integrated Brake System (IBS), a world first, is available on higher-end models – it’s an electromechanical system that integrates the stability control system with a traditional brake servo, to provide instantaneous braking response. With the system, the Giulia stops from 100 km/h in just 38.5 metres, or 32 metres on the Quadrifoglio. Does the name sound familiar? We tested a pre-production system at the ZF TRW Global Press Event last year, and it certainly provided the lightning-quick braking response claimed.
The Quadrifoglio adds torque vectoring via twin clutches integrated to the rear differential, along with Chassis Domain Control (CDC) that controls the car’s electronic features. These include the torque vectoring, active front splitter, active suspension system and stability control, each adapted in real time according to acceleration and rotation data.
Various powertrain and chassis settings can be selected through the new Alfa DNA control switch, which has three different drive modes – Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency (the latter is a frugal setting, much like BMW’s Eco Pro mode, that debuts on an Alfa for the first time). The Quadrifoglio’s DNA Pro system has an added Race setting that turns off the stability control system.
Elsewhere, available kit includes adaptive bi-xenon headlights (yes, unlike its rivals, the Giulia isn’t available with LED headlights, even as an option) with LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, a Connect 3D Nav infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display (replacing the standard 6.5-inch screen) and a either a 3.5-inch or a seven-inch colour multi-info display.
In terms of safety, the Giulia comes fitted with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) as standard, while Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is available as an option.
GALLERY: 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia
GALLERY: 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
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I smell abit of 5series…
Alfa Romeo make superb cars. Pity it failed in Malaysia as the distributor is Sime Darby and being a GLC, they have this malas, lepak, rilak attitude.
Instead of building the brand, staff were more interested in rehat and minum teh and makan kuih lapis in the kantin 8 times in a day.
We Malaysians suffer from not being enjoy a superb car that is based on Ferrari technology.
Nope. AR has only 3~4 models in their stable and their own finances is not very gud. Kinda like the Mitsu of EU.
They’re good looking and good driving cars. If you can get them on the road. Reliability is one of the WORST. Electronics, gearbox, little things here and there. Leaks. Not acclimimatized to tropical weather either.
Before Sime Darby, the Alfa distributor was the Malaysian branch of a Singapore company. Funnily even though it was not governemnt linked and was headed by a Singaporean and probably manned by efficient conscientious workers who didn’t eat kueh lapis, the company sank and the boss ended up being convicted.
No- not the fault of sime Darby but Alfa then did not make good cars to sell well in volumes
Power betul kereta ini. Boleh la saya rempit kat kesas malam malam. Party Hard dan DAP pun jeles tengok gua!
kenapa lu banding DAP?!?
lu lyn kepala lebih sgt tu. sudah wengggg…wahahaha
Looks neat and has oodles of power and tech. It needs the ingredient of time though to catch up with the 3’s popularity. Time for punters to see whether its build-quality and reliability can match the one who has been wearing the luxury sports saloon crown for a very long time now.
Looks neat.. but too bad, in typical Alfa fashion, when it was first unveiled it looked stunning. But right after that, it’ll look like it’s 10 years old. That’s the problem with Alfas.. their look age really quickly.
On the contrary, alfa’s design aged well, and most of the cars still look relevant on the road today. For instance, alfa 156 and 159. Dont they look marvelous?
Much wow. Outstanding design and feature but the interior looks like a bit of Mazda6 copy.
I♥Giulia
Looks like Mazda 6
Considering to buy this one or myvi sedan in August.Hmmm
For this kind of cars, I don’t really care about their reliability, if they have good aftersales service.
However, I do care much about their exterior appearance and interior design.
I think I’m gonna need a new pant.
Next week dah boleh ambil roadtax. Tak sabar nak cruise with budak2 Golf koler tegak and Bimmer sunglasses tengek.
hope there will be a company to bring this Alfa Romeo brand to our country..
This is a very historical brand.They were racing while bmw is still a baby.
Currently one of my most favourite cars… sadly, we might never get a formal launch, might have to buy from Naza as usual, or some other grey import seller… parts and servicing will be hell… your wallet will become lighter by the day… but 10 years later, after you’ve long since sold it… you’ll think back and smile… “She was worth it.” That… is Alfa’s charm. haha
P.S. Also, for all the women out there (why am I saying this.. 99% of people here in the comments are guys anyway…), if your man owns an Alfa Romeo (especially an older one)… marry him… seriously, JUST DO IT. I swear, you’ll never find a man more patient than him… it’s because Alfa Romeos demand patience, love and an entire bank account… you’d want the same treatment, no ? hahaha
nothing to shout about…really.
Let me break it down.
1)Front lights are like Toyota GT86
2)Side profile like BMW 5 series.
3)Rear cross between Mazda 6 and Audi.
I guess Mercedes C Class W205 took the excitement.
Those days Alfa was unique but nowadays even Kia
has bold design.
So where does this leave this car ?… Hope reliability has improved else it will be just like any other alfa… Liability :(
No cars could ever match Alfa Romeo in terms of Italian design. The sight and sound just outrank others infinitely. The Germans? Yeah they have improved for quite some times but if you’re talking of sports and contour you’ve gotta give it to the Italians. It’s like having the accessories of Italian makes that makes you look confident and outstanding compare to others. German wallet? How about leather goods made in Italy? Now that’s a looker.
No Available in Malaysia?