Friday 10th July 2015

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV testing

Alfa's new 510hp super saloon is testing - where else? - on the Nordschleife

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This is the first time the new Giulia has been seen on the Nordschleife, where it's currently lapping during the semi-secretive 'Industry Pool' sessions. As our exclusive photos show, this is no far-fetched test mule either. Apart from the disruptive vinyl camouflage, this car looks almost ready for the the showroom. Plastic grills, sensors for the adaptive cruise control, a sort of numberplate; it all looks very much like a finished product.

You best not be setting a lap time Alfa...

Judging by the big brakes and exciting engine note (more of that soon, we hope), this would be the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 'QV' version revealed last month. Going head to head with some of the mightiest four-door saloon cars the segment has ever seen, the Giulia's appearance at the Nurburgring (hopefully) speaks volumes about its intent. The latest turbocharged AMG C63 S and BMW M3 both spent years testing here, and it's clear that the Italians must battle these Germans as well as a faster Jaguar XE, surely due in the near future.

But while the Germans test their prototypes on the Nordschleife under heavy disguise from an early stage in the development, it appears Alfa have brought the almost-finished product to the 'ring for some final polishing. Let's hope they can produce more a dynamic success than the flawed 4C, which also arrived at the 12.9-mile Nordschleife in a very late stage of development. Some might say, too late.

Due on sale in 2016, the Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) version will lead the Giulia's charge into a very talented class of compact executive rivals including the Jaguar XE, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. Expect all kinds of options and engines, but rear-wheel drive and a manual with 510hp sounds like a damn good start!

 

[crostonian]

Would be nice to see Alfa battling the Germans in the DTM again!

[dlockhart]

Would this be a successor to the 159? or is it something bigger?

I think this , along with the 4c, will get Alfa out of the hole its found itself in with only being able to rebadge small fiats.

[DeltonaS]

"Let's hope they can produce more a dynamic success than the flawed 4C, which also arrived at the 12.9-mile Nordschleife in a very late stage of development. Some might say, too late."

So cars can only be developed on the Nurburgring ??

And 4C flawed ??

[Oddball RS]

News flash!

Baby Maserati, with ugly Alfa nose and old 1 Series headlights (Stock bought cheap) stars in new movie, 'the car no one will buy' featuring 'ive just stepped of Bempton Cliffs' depreciation.

Alfa, why? and this instead of a new part Mazda Spider that people might actualy have bought and might actually have been worth the money?

[Vee12V]

DeltonaS][i said:

"

And 4C flawed ??

On some levels very much so yes.

[pjwind]

Dear Alfa Romeo,

Please get an Giulia 105 Coupe out of your museum. Take it to your skunk works where you developed the Giulia. Stare at it for a long time then build a modern version (not a retro one) using the Giulia platform and mechanicals. Giugiaro just left Italdesign after the VW buyout so call him to do the styling. Price it between 30000 pounds and 45000 pounds. Call it the Alfa Romeo Guilia GTV. Sell me 1. Sell others many. Put it in GT3 racing. Sell a road version called the GTA. I will then upgrade my GTV for a GTA. You will make money from me this way as well as many others. I will be happy. When can we do this?

Kind regards

Serial Alfa Romeo owner waiting to buy a new one worthy of his cash

[V6Alfisti]

Why is the Giulia camouflaged given it has already been revealed, is this usual?

[James P]

pjwind said:

Dear Alfa Romeo,

Please get an Giulia 105 Coupe out of your museum. Take it to your skunk works where you developed the Giulia. Stare at it for a long time then build a modern version (not a retro one) using the Giulia platform and mechanicals. Giugiaro just left Italdesign after the VW buyout so call him to do the styling. Price it between 30000 pounds and 45000 pounds. Call it the Alfa Romeo Guilia GTV. Sell me 1. Sell others many. Put it in GT3 racing. Sell a road version called the GTA. I will then upgrade my GTV for a GTA. You will make money from me this way as well as many others. I will be happy. When can we do this?

Kind regards

Serial Alfa Romeo owner waiting to buy a new one worthy of his cash

Dear Alfa

There is more to this market than having more power than the M3. Show me the rest of the range so I can decide where to spend the £.

[Quickmoose]

Some interesting insight....

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/industry-new...

[Wadeski]

Oddball RS said:

News flash!

Baby Maserati, with ugly Alfa nose and old 1 Series headlights (Stock bought cheap) stars in new movie, 'the car no one will buy' featuring 'ive just stepped of Bempton Cliffs' depreciation.

Alfa, why? and this instead of a new part Mazda Spider that people might actualy have bought and might actually have been worth the money?

Answer: America.

[B17NNS]

There is a feature on this car (undisguised pictures) in my local free magazine. Looks rather handsome.

[James P]

pjwind said:

Dear Alfa Romeo,

Please get an Giulia 105 Coupe out of your museum. Take it to your skunk works where you developed the Giulia. Stare at it for a long time then build a modern version (not a retro one) using the Giulia platform and mechanicals. Giugiaro just left Italdesign after the VW buyout so call him to do the styling. Price it between 30000 pounds and 45000 pounds. Call it the Alfa Romeo Guilia GTV. Sell me 1. Sell others many. Put it in GT3 racing. Sell a road version called the GTA. I will then upgrade my GTV for a GTA. You will make money from me this way as well as many others. I will be happy. When can we do this?

Kind regards

Serial Alfa Romeo owner waiting to buy a new one worthy of his cash

Dear Alfa

There is more to this market than having more power than the M3. Show me the rest of the range so I can decide where to spend the £.

[OwenK]

V6Alfisti said:

Why is the Giulia camouflaged given it has already been revealed, is this usual?

Pretty standard industry procedure, the body will be made of pre-production panels that might not be quite right, panel gaps might be shonky etc. Camo hides those things and is also a big "ITS A PROTOTYPE" sign just in case anyone does spot something dodgy.

[k-ink]

pjwind said:

Dear Alfa Romeo,

Please get an Giulia 105 Coupe out of your museum. Take it to your skunk works where you developed the Giulia. Stare at it for a long time then build a modern version (not a retro one) using the Giulia platform and mechanicals. Giugiaro just left Italdesign after the VW buyout so call him to do the styling. Price it between 30000 pounds and 45000 pounds. Call it the Alfa Romeo Guilia GTV. Sell me 1. Sell others many. Put it in GT3 racing. Sell a road version called the GTA. I will then upgrade my GTV for a GTA. You will make money from me this way as well as many others. I will be happy. When can we do this?

Kind regards

Serial Alfa Romeo owner waiting to buy a new one worthy of his cash

Great post. I agree!

[V6Alfisti]

OwenK said:

Pretty standard industry procedure, the body will be made of pre-production panels that might not be quite right, panel gaps might be shonky etc. Camo hides those things and is also a big "ITS A PROTOTYPE" sign just in case anyone does spot something dodgy.

Thanks

[Bahnstormer]

Parked next to this at the Nurburgring petrol station yesterday. They're a bit camera shy !!!!

Looks quite good ! - Land Rover, BMW and Alfa prototypes all over Nurburg !!!!

[Pereldh]

I think: slightly too many whiny comments on the new Giulia.
Like spoiled brats, once Alfa (Fiat) FINALLY relives the rwd concept of cars, making it only the 3rd or 4th reachable rwd compact on the market, you start complaining it looks like a BMW etc.
ITS REAR WHEEL DRIVE, christ what do you expect? Huge front overhangs..? No thanks thats over & done? Ok?
Ok it's got Maserati rear lights what do we care. If anything it makes for a great facelift in a couple of years. Til then, freakin enjoy!!

[Pereldh]

I think: slightly too many whiny comments on the new Giulia.
Like spoiled brats, once Alfa (Fiat) FINALLY relives the rwd concept of cars, making it only the 3rd or 4th reachable rwd compact on the market, you start complaining it looks like a BMW etc.
ITS REAR WHEEL DRIVE, christ what do you expect? Huge front overhangs..? No thanks thats over & done? Ok?
Ok it's got Maserati rear lights what do we care. If anything it makes for a great facelift in a couple of years. Til then, freakin enjoy!!

[Benzo26]

Oddball RS said:

News flash!

Baby Maserati, with ugly Alfa nose and old 1 Series headlights (Stock bought cheap) stars in new movie, 'the car no one will buy' featuring 'ive just stepped of Bempton Cliffs' depreciation.

Alfa, why? and this instead of a new part Mazda Spider that people might actualy have bought and might actually have been worth the money?

What's wrong with it being a baby Maser? Now that Ferrari has been released by FCA, they will be relying on Maserati and Alfa to bring in greater revenue streams. Think the headlights are more Jaguar than 1 series, maybe mixed with 156 face lifted version. Let's give it a chance before writing it off completely shall we.

[rodericb]

Quickmoose said:

Some interesting insight....

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/industry-new...

So they got a guy out of Ferrari and said bring some guys with you and come up with X in two years and two months? That is an inspired bit of leadership right there! Lets hope this car delivers!