620hp GTA-badged Giulia set for Geneva | Update
Rumours of new headliner given massive boost by latest Alfa tweet...
News that Alfa Romeo scrapped plans to reinvigorate its sports car lineup with revived iterations of the GTV and 8C nameplates was greeted with widespread disappointment at the end of last year. The Giulia Quadrifoglio-based GTV coupe, in particular, was a car we could all get behind, given the sensational blend of power, performance and panache offered by the saloon.
Now, though, the Italian marque has dropped the strongest hint yet that it hasn't abandoned its enthusiast ambitions altogether. A brief video posted to Twitter on Saturday features a raspy exhaust note alongside the tagline "a momentous comeback".
Fans of the brand will be hoping that the combination reveals some truth in the recent rumours (detailed below) of a Giulia-based return for the GTA badge. With word of up to 20kg of weight savings and a significant increase in output from the Quadrifoglio's 510hp V6, noteworthy improvements on the existing car's 3.9-second 0-62 time and 190mph top speed surely ought to follow.
Further details remain scarce for now, although that won't stop us getting excited about the prospect of an even more potent take on what is already an excellent driving machine. Expect all eyes to be on Hall 5, Booth 5111 of the Palexpo centre come March 3rd.
Of all the automotive rumours floating around the internet at the moment, speculation that a 620hp Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA is on the cards has to be among the most tantalising. Consider: a Giulia QF saloon with a 110hp boost from its 2.9 twin-turbo V6, a chassis further honed for maximum performance underneath and steroidal Italian design on top. That’s what Mopar Insiders reckons is coming in June, and while that may yet prove codswallop, it does also feel like the sort of thing Alfa would do in the face of the new BMW M3’s arrival…
Certainly, it looks like a cost-effective way of appeasing fans disappointed by the culling of two-door GTA, which was affected by a decision to focus on only the most profitable models. Turning up the wick on the V6, making some suspension changes and slapping on appropriate exterior trim will obviously require significantly less investment than the production of a new body shape. While conveniently still making fans go all weak at the knees.
The same sources suggest that a 20kg reduction in the QF’s kerbweight plus the retention of an eight-speed automatic are likely. It doesn’t seem impossible that Alfa might choose to send said beast around the Nurburgring in an attempt to steal back the four-door record from Jag’s SVO-tuned XE SV Project 8. The original QF time is now 14 seconds off the 600hp SV’s time, although the claimed bump in Alfa output ought to be well placed to bring Green Hell honours back to Turin.
Alfa would no doubt benefit from such achievements. While the ‘regular’ Giulia QF and its identically-engined Stelvio sibling have successfully rejuvenated the brand’s image, the fast-approaching arrival of BMW’s next M3, not to mention the following launch of a hybrid four-pot C63 in 2021, will leave Alfa’s sports models adrift of the spotlight for some time. Cooking up a proper, hairy chested 600hp plus performance machine - even a low volume special edition one - sounds like a sure-fire way to keep enthusiast interest bubbling. Here’s hoping anyway.
20kg reduction in weight is not enough but hard to acheive as the did such a good job with use of cardon fibre and aluminium on the cooking version, Suffice to say a Giulia is top of my want list atm, stretching my budget from an M4 and not going into hock for a R8 V10. 997.2 C4S not fast enough (yup I'm that guy) and Turbo, well they both have held their money too well so, it might lack a little bit of visual drama but I hope to be in one by summer.
If not I'll just keep this one for another two years. The best everyday car I've ever had, enjoying it as much as ever.
20kg reduction in weight is not enough but hard to acheive as the did such a good job with use of cardon fibre and aluminium on the cooking version, Suffice to say a Giulia is top of my want list atm, stretching my budget from an M4 and not going into hock for a R8 V10. 997.2 C4S not fast enough (yup I'm that guy) and Turbo, well they both have held their money too well so, it might lack a little bit of visual drama but I hope to be in one by summer.
Yes pls Alfa, do it!
TX.
But if it is a great car, owners are happy, then they will keep them, far less will be on sale, and the price will stay much higher.
Sadly..
No one buys these cars to save the planet, so its a much easier decision to choose the V6 over the 4-hybrid. Right now V6 vs V8 is a tough one...
Its a lighter engine and lower CofG, meaning it should handle better. Its got oodles more instant torque at all revs, so should feel faster in real world driving and with much lower emissions and better mpg - it means the market opens up to those who want a fast car but squeal at the ridiculous tax and fuel costs of wanting to use it as a daily whip.
Instantly broadened its appeal and possible market share. Those that dont care about the planet will still buy it, because its damned fast and they want a merc badge. It might even be as cheap to run as a C300de for those wanting to take the plunge on BIK or lease hire.
But if it is a great car, owners are happy, then they will keep them, far less will be on sale, and the price will stay much higher.
Sadly..
Re reliability - from my limited view on the main Alfa forums, also from the discussions I've had with the senior tech of my local Alfa dealer, problems have been minimal. Most common problem across the Giulia range is the petrol flap going out of shape.
My view actually is that when you look at what you get in a pre-reg C63, against a three year old QF, the biggest problem with the QF is that they appear quite expensive! It is however the best car out there, however they missed some of the extra tech the competition has, but the 2020 model range looks to almost rectify that.
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