Alfa Giulia Quadrofolio disappointment after test drive
Discussion
Hi all, I was given a basic Giulia petrol loan car when my car was in with Ferrari for service. Felt like somewhat of a baby Ferrari.
Got around to test driving a Giulia Quadrofolio today to add to the fleet, however the adaptive dampers seem to have robbed the steering of any feel and the steering wasn't anywhere as fast as the basic Giulia I had driven a while back, maybe as it's using a lighter engine?
The steering was accurate and the front end did dig in nicely when cornering hard, but was left totally underwhelmed thinking that it might be something exciting to drive whereas it just seemed very efficient at going fast.
Maybe the car was a dud or has the adaptive damping removed much of the feel?
Got around to test driving a Giulia Quadrofolio today to add to the fleet, however the adaptive dampers seem to have robbed the steering of any feel and the steering wasn't anywhere as fast as the basic Giulia I had driven a while back, maybe as it's using a lighter engine?
The steering was accurate and the front end did dig in nicely when cornering hard, but was left totally underwhelmed thinking that it might be something exciting to drive whereas it just seemed very efficient at going fast.
Maybe the car was a dud or has the adaptive damping removed much of the feel?
Edited by kazino on Friday 24th April 22:13
How old was the quadrifoglio?
They changed the steering/suspension for the 2020 model, the earlier 16-19 cars were better apparently. I believe the changes were to reduce Ackerman effect but also to allow some Adas capability. But the later ones were still better than the rivals. Or geo could have been out, or dodgy tyres.
They changed the steering/suspension for the 2020 model, the earlier 16-19 cars were better apparently. I believe the changes were to reduce Ackerman effect but also to allow some Adas capability. But the later ones were still better than the rivals. Or geo could have been out, or dodgy tyres.
Edited by ITP on Friday 24th April 22:20
Every day a journey said:
You weren t driving it right.
Was allowed to drive it hard on the test drive and I had that basic Giulia for a couple of weeks. What would the best way be to drive it, would you suggest?
It doesn't have the front end feel of the basic Giulia. Assuming it's due to the adaptive dampers which seem to remove feel from many other cars equipped, including some Ferraris equipped with them e.g 458 ( fast, sound great, steers accurately but not much texture from the steering itself)
kazino said:
… but was left totally underwhelmed thinking that it might be something exciting to drive whereas it just seemed very efficient at going fast.
Maybe the car was a dud or has the adaptive damping removed much of the feel?
I recently purchase a new QV and yes it is excellent at getting around quickly and comfortably. I think I know what you mean about the damping which is why I often drive in dynamic as the suspension hardens up and feels more connected. I think of it as more a GT car rather than a sports car so comfort is important.Maybe the car was a dud or has the adaptive damping removed much of the feel?
Edited by kazino on Friday 24th April 22:13
Never forget a 2nd hand car often has the alignment a bit off - which obviously totally transforms the steering & driving impression. Slight toe-out for example, would result in exactly your impression.
Then of course wider tires & heavier engine generally numbs the steering slightly on all cars.
The damping prob hasn't anything to do with it - especially as its rated in best-in-class in most road tests...
Coming from a Bmw M car instead, I find the Giulia Q steering pure magic - at least in my early 2016 car.
If the turn-in is anything but immidiate, the alignment is out.
Then of course wider tires & heavier engine generally numbs the steering slightly on all cars.
The damping prob hasn't anything to do with it - especially as its rated in best-in-class in most road tests...
Coming from a Bmw M car instead, I find the Giulia Q steering pure magic - at least in my early 2016 car.
If the turn-in is anything but immidiate, the alignment is out.
Edited by Pereldh on Wednesday 29th April 13:32
I bought a late 2019 Quadrifoglio in July last year - by coincidence, I posted on one of the QF groups over the weekend saying I wasn't that happy with the handling on twisty roads (didn't make me terribly popular I don't think!).
However...........
I don't have a problem with the steering - particularly in "sport" mode, I'd say the steering is noticeably fast and it turns in very quickly. Actual steering feel could maybe be a bit more direct, but I don't find it to be an issue.
The main problem I have with the car is that it simply feels big, so I don't really trust it to corner too hard. I have a feeling the problem is me - not the car - but I either need to get over it, or sell it - but for now, the plan is to get over it and try to trust the car a bit more.
I may get my alignment done - although since I'm happy with the way the car turns in, I have some doubts that will really make much difference. I just need to trust the car a bit more I think.
However...........
I don't have a problem with the steering - particularly in "sport" mode, I'd say the steering is noticeably fast and it turns in very quickly. Actual steering feel could maybe be a bit more direct, but I don't find it to be an issue.
The main problem I have with the car is that it simply feels big, so I don't really trust it to corner too hard. I have a feeling the problem is me - not the car - but I either need to get over it, or sell it - but for now, the plan is to get over it and try to trust the car a bit more.
I may get my alignment done - although since I'm happy with the way the car turns in, I have some doubts that will really make much difference. I just need to trust the car a bit more I think.
Have you had an allignment done on her?
In the car I drove it was full of grip in the corners and you could lay into it very hard with the back end progressively breaking away. It's a car one can push extremely hard, so once you've had everything checked, get yourself onto some safe roads and give her a good workout, I'm sure you'll have a great time.
Steering was accurate and better than e.g an M3. Compared to the base Giulia that I had on loan it was lacking as that was brimming with feel and had an even faster steering rack (almost Ferrari quick and direct)
In the car I drove it was full of grip in the corners and you could lay into it very hard with the back end progressively breaking away. It's a car one can push extremely hard, so once you've had everything checked, get yourself onto some safe roads and give her a good workout, I'm sure you'll have a great time.
Steering was accurate and better than e.g an M3. Compared to the base Giulia that I had on loan it was lacking as that was brimming with feel and had an even faster steering rack (almost Ferrari quick and direct)
- I am biased thoughLovely pair.
The TI is rwd?
Sounds like that will hit the spot as looking for something interactive as the other cars hit the spot for outright speed
The TI is rwd?
Sounds like that will hit the spot as looking for something interactive as the other cars hit the spot for outright speed
blueg33 said:
kazino said:
Lovely pair.
The TI is rwd?
Sounds like that will hit the spot as looking for something interactive as the other cars hit the spot for outright speed
Yes the Veloce TI is RWD, 280bhp, its quite light, the TI bit means it has quite a bit of carbon fibre from the Quadrifoglio, tasty wheels too, bigger brakes than the regular 2.0 cars. I always felt that the steering was excellent, almost as good as my EvoraThe TI is rwd?
Sounds like that will hit the spot as looking for something interactive as the other cars hit the spot for outright speed
blueg33 said:
Edited by blueg33 on Tuesday 28th April 14:17
blueg33 said:
Yes the Veloce TI is RWD, 280bhp, its quite light, the TI bit means it has quite a bit of carbon fibre from the Quadrifoglio, tasty wheels too, 
brakes than the regular 2.0 cars. I always felt that the steering was excellent, almost as good as my Evora
What more can one ask for. brakes than the regular 2.0 cars. I always felt that the steering was excellent, almost as good as my EvoraDid you get a chance to drive a quadrofolio, interested in your thoughts on it
I sold my MY19 QV after just under 12 months, one of my shortest ownership periods in a car. It's fanstastic looking thing - but it just never felt exciting enough for me. It felt too quiet, too refined and went insanely quickly with what felt like very little drama. I needed more intake noise, more exhaust noise...something more of an edge.
It just felt like a very nice, very quick saloon car. I'd also agree with the other comment that it felt big - although I'm very much of a recent history of small, light, basic cars so all of this might just be traits that are shared with pretty much all modern saloons.
I need a QV with 300kg removed and the Busso engine in it.
It just felt like a very nice, very quick saloon car. I'd also agree with the other comment that it felt big - although I'm very much of a recent history of small, light, basic cars so all of this might just be traits that are shared with pretty much all modern saloons.
I need a QV with 300kg removed and the Busso engine in it.
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