Friday 26th June 2015

Alfa Romeo Giulia - official!

Rear-wheel drive, 510hp flagship and looks to die for - dare we get excited?

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Well this is a surprise. A pleasant one too. After years of speculation with the car on, then off and then on again, here is the new Alfa Giulia. Little has been released prior to today on the 159 replacement so it's with a great deal of excitement that a few official details can be released.

Hang on, this pic looks familiar...

Doesn't it look great? This the flagship Quadrifoglio Verde version - more details on that soon - and therefore the most aggressive of all Giulias but the signs are very good for all models. The overhangs are short, the bonnet is long and the proportions spot on for a compact rear-drive saloon. There are familiar Alfa details in the teledial wheels and 'trefoil' nose too. OK, so it's not groundbreaking as small saloons go but from here it does the traditional format in a very stylish, modern way. And since when did radical sell in this segment?

The good news continues underneath the Giulia. It's on an all-new rear-wheel drive platform that promises 50/50 weight distribution, the best torsional rigidity in the class and also the longest wheelbase. And you thought they had ignored practicality... There's a new 'Alfalink' multi-link rear axle, electronic adaptive dampers and double-clutch torque vectoring as well. Alfa also mentions a "semi-virtual steering axis" which "optimises the filtering effect and guarantees rapid, accurate steering by keeping a constant caster trail in corners." Hmm.

Elsewhere on the dynamic tech front it's worth noting the Integrated Brake System - combining the stability control and brake servo for the best response and performance - the active front splitter and the carbon ceramic brakes. Don't expect the latter two on the mid-range diesel...

Please be good, please be good, please b...

Speaking of engines, there's only one confirmed so far. Being Alfa Romeo, that's the very fastest one. Ready? This Giulia QV will use a 510hp turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 "tuned by engineers with a Ferrari background", which we'll assume is related to that used in the Maserati Quattroporte. An all-aluminium lump with cylinder deactivation and "surprising" fuel efficiency, we're assured that it will "deliver that distinctive Alfa Romeo sound to complement the performance." Very promising, right?

Some semblance of familiarity with other Alfas is to be found with the 'DNA' switch inside, modifying the dynamic behaviour across throttle response, damping, steering and so on. It's joined in the Giulia by 'Chassis Domain Control', which has so far only been described as controlling the "specific task of optimising performance and driving pleasure." Which sounds like what DNA should do... Let's see.

Those paying close attention to the Giulia photos will have clocked a new Alfa logo. Designed by Robilant Associati, it's not drastically different but instead "modernised and renewed" in line with the launch. Let's hope a new badge marks a new era for Alfa, beginning with the proper RWD saloon enthusiasts have been crying out for since the 75's demise. More details as soon as we can grab them!

[Northernlights]

The engine sounds fun, but I cannot get my head around the looks. It is too bulbous to these eyes, and a little, uh, Infiniti at the back. I'll be intrigued to see if I am in the minority here.

[Housey]

I like it a lot, looks great to me.

[blearyeyedboy]

Each to their own. I think it's pretty around the back, boring at the front. Maybe it'll grow on me but it's not a patch on the 159 or 156 for a first reaction. The 156 and 159 had flaws but they also gave people an "Oh My Giddy Aunt That's Gorgeous" first glance.

[RobinBanks]

I'm looking forward to the QV!

[Buff Mchugelarge]

Like it, looks great and I imagine that V6 will sound awesome too..

Lets hope they turn up for around £8000 in the classifieds in 10 years time

[Cupramax]

Not sure if i like that or not, front lights appear to be far too big for the car and they apparently got bored by the back end and just put A4 lights on it. Not keen on the wonky Lexus copy exhausts.

[Justayellowbadge]

How much Ghibli in that I wonder?

[Jasandjules]

Looks quite nice. I think in a metallic blue it would be even better...

Quite serious performance for the school run though eh?!

[Paul_M3]

Can I be the first to say that the front end will be completely ruined once you have to attach a UK number plate to it.

[TheFinners]

Not sure about the bottom grilles but otherwise that is a very pretty car. Hopefully they will offer some good 'cooking' petrol models as Alfa have always managed to in the past. A 510 bhp hot version is a kick in the teeth to the weedy Germans!

[musho]

Finally. I've been waiting ages for a nice Alfa.

[Toltec]

It looks nice enough, as with most modern cars the front end styling is more about trying to disguise how much bonnet is sat on top of the wheel arch than anything else.

At least there is a chance I'll own an Alfa one day now they have rwd back in their main lineup.

[zeDuffMan]

That's an awesome looking car. Good job Alfa.

[KarlMac]

I hope beteen this and the XE they kick the German rep car Cartels head in.

[Mikeyjae]

AS an Alfa fan I have to say that is beautiful. Its easy to identify as an Alfa and has the attitude to match. Rear wheel drive too which is a bonus and makes me think they are targeting the Germans if they can make it handle well enough. It will be interesting to see the standard trims thou, see how much it dums down the aggressive looks. I will be definatly be looking for one in the not to far future.

[redroadster]

alfa md will lose his nerve and do what he did with the roadster pass it to fiat to ruin.

[V88Dicky]

I haven't been an Alfa fan since they started their love affair with FWD hatchbacks sometime in the 80's, but boy, has that changed my mind now!

Well done

[RobinBanks]

redroadster said:

alfa md will lose his nerve and do what he did with the roadster pass it to fiat to ruin.

Apart from that this has already been shown as an Alfa Romeo?

[Theophany]

I hope the deposit taking phase doesn't start until after I buy a house, otherwise I'm going to be divorced.

[Inny]

Absolutely love it. Please be good to drive.

Please.