Alfa Romeo unveils Giulia, reveals Quadrifoglio variant details

Alfa Romeo finally unveiled the long awaited Giulia D-segment sedan to the media yesterday (24 June) at an event at the newly revamped Alfa Romeo Museum on the historic Arese site in Milan (Italy). This is Alfa Romeo's first introduction in this category since the demise of the 159 in 2012.

The brand has said that the "taut and compact proportions of the Giulia have evolved from its all-new, rear-wheel drive architecture," although four-wheel drive will also be offered as an option. It added that the engine and other key components have been installed within the axles to give the vehicle a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution. Other key features related to the body and architecture include the short overhangs, long bonnet with prominent Alfa Romeo grille and the longest wheelbase in its segment, which is said to "maximise stability, comfort and practicality."

The suspension of the vehicle is based around a double-wishbone set up at the front with a semi-virtual steering axis which it is said "guarantees rapid, accurate steering by keeping a constant caster trail in corners." At the rear, it uses a multi-link system at the rear known as "Alfalink". This combines with electronically-controlled adaptive dampers.

Alfa Romeo has said that the driver systems in the car have been developed to complement the dynamic capabilities of the chassis. Among the features that are being introduced on this model is the double-clutch Torque Vectoring system to allow the rear differential to control the torque delivery to each wheel independently, which is said to improve traction in low grip conditions without the involvement of stability control system. The Giulia will also benefit from the introduction of Integrated Brake System – an electromechanical system that combines stability control and a traditional servo brake for improved brake response and shorter stopping distances.

While no images of the interior have been provided, the brand has said that it has been focused on the driver, with a small steering wheel grouped with key controls. It also said that the human-machine interface (HMI) features just two knobs to adjust the infotainment system and another for the "Alfa DNA". The latter system offers a range of set dynamic options for a range of circumstances: Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficient and Racing on high-performance variants. Materials used will include carbon fibre and real wood.

Initially, Alfa Romeo has chosen to focus on the top-specification high-performance Quadrifoglio variant at its launch. According to the company it uses a V-6 turbocharged gasoline (petrol) engine which benefits from expertise tapped from Ferrari. It is said to develop 510 hp, which enables it to go from 0–100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. It also offers cylinder deactivation system to improve fuel efficiency. The company also noted that like all the next-generation gasoline and diesel engines that will be used in the Giulia, it is manufactured from aluminium.

This variant also gains a front Active Aero Splitter to improve stability and offer better cornering grip. Its control will be governed by the Chassis Domain Control, be used to optimise performance and dynamics of systems on other variants as well.

The Quadrifoglio is also set to benefit the most from the lightweight materials which are said will be available, that will give a weight-to-power ratio of 3kg per hp. Carbon fibre is used for the propeller shaft, bonnet, roof and seat frames, while aluminium was selected for the engine, suspension (including the front domes and front and rear frames), wings and doors. The rear cross-member is also made of aluminium composite and plastic and the braking system uses aluminium callipers and carbon ceramic discs.

Outlook and implications

As stated previously, the Giulia sedan will be a key model for the turnaround of the Alfa Romeo brand as parent Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) seeks to turn the unit in to a serious player in the premium category (see United States - Italy: 24 June 2015: Alfa Romeo to reveal Giulia today). However, while it is looking very much looking to the future, it is also leveraging its past by taking the opportunity to launch this model at the museum on the site which was formerly home to the brand, with the date coinciding with the 105th anniversary of the founding of Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (A.L.F.A.) which was its foundations. It has also coincided with a modernisation of the brand's badge.

While the Quadrifoglio variant is not representative of the majority of vehicles that customers will buy, it does indicate a statement of intent that the brand wants to be taken seriously with statistics that suggest it will give the likes of BMW's M3 a run for its money. The reveal of this variant should result in plenty of column inches, particularly in enthusiast publications which are likely to be more responsive to the brand initially.

It appears we will now have to wait a little longer for the variants which will appeal to a more typical premium car buying audience, and find out whether they will make good on an intention to make the Giulia a class leading model. Given the competition and customer base of the German big three - Audi, BMW and Mercedes - and others which are also looking to make a space in the market - notably Jaguar and its XE - any sign of weakness will mean it becomes an also-ran as the brand has been seen as in the past.

The Giulia is only the start of this revival process though. The Giorgio architecture that this model is based on is expected to underpin two new crossovers - mid-size and compact - and a new E-segment sedan. There is also said to be a coupé and sports car in the pipeline. Even so, and as noted previously, it is difficult to see this accelerated launch strategy achieving the sales figures that FCA has previously said it expects. Instead of the 400,000 units per annum (upa) anticipated by the end of 2018, IHS Automotive anticipates that it will reach just 216,000 units by this point, although this is still a considerable improvement from where it once was. On top of this, while we do see the brand finally having made a return to North America with this model and others, it is expected to reach sales of 46,500 units, as opposed to the 150,000 units that the brand hopes. Even with the efforts that FCA will make with the brand's launch into this market, we also do not see it moving much beyond this point.