2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio arrives in Frankfurt

Article by Christian A., on September 18, 2015

Alfa Romeo recently showed the public its latest offering -- the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The unveiling was done at the start of the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show held from Sept. 17 to Sept. 27. Created on the rear-wheel drive platform, the Giulia puts its focus on being agile and lighter. The Giulia’s shape is defined by its sporty foundation which also influences the design.

Most of the other parts like the engine, suspension, and brakes, to name a few, are composed of aluminum. Finally the rear crossmember is made from a composite of aluminum and plastic. But that’s not all. The ceramic disc brakes are made of carbon while the Sparco seats are composed of light carbon fiber.

This extra attention given to the materials is the same attitude that was applied on the Giulia’s interior, which is aimed at providing the best in comfort, equipment, quality, and safety.

The start button and all its main controls are integrated with the steering wheel much like a Formula 1 vehicle. The human-machine interface meanwhile is made even simpler through two user-friendly knobs that can change the Alfa DNA Pro selector as well as its Connect 3D Nav infotainment system.

Like the CDC, the Connect 3D Nav was developed in cooperation with Magneti Marelli. The Connect 3D Nav allows the Giulia to have more sophisticated functions and features like the next-generation human-machine interface (HMI).

Majority of the system is controlled through a Rotary Pad and can be viewed through an 8.8-inch TFT display that has been incorporated with the dashboard. However, it can also be controlled through voice recognition and even gesture recognition.

Thus the driver can control all features by just moving a finger. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio will display five models for the Motor Show with each having its own colors which are: Competizione Red, Montecarlo Blue, Trofeo White, Vulcano Black, and Vesuvio Grey.

Indeed the Giulia Quadrifoglio has a great design with its mechanical components wrapped in a muscular and tight package and largely dominated by short overhangs, muscular haunches, and long bonnet. It also has the longest wheelbase for its segment.

The use of simple and natural lines to enhance the vehicle’s shape and proportion, plus the elegant surface finish that displays style and purity, meets all expectations anyone could have of the Italian-designed Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Interior Design

The same attention to detail has been lavished on the interior of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia, offering the best in terms of quality, safety, equipment and comfort.

All the main controls, including the start button, are incorporated in the steering wheel as on a Formula 1 car, while the human-machine interface consists of two simple, user-friendly knobs for adjusting the Alfa DNA Pro selector and the Connect 3D Nav infotainment system.

The Connect 3D Nav of Alfa Romeo Giulia – also developed with Magneti Marelli – offers a sophisticated series of features and functions, including a next-generation HMI human-machine interface.

The system is mostly controlled by means of the Rotary Pad and viewed using the 8.8-inch TFT display integrated in the dashboard but it can also be controlled via an advanced voice recognition system and a gesture recognition system with which the driver can interact by simply moving their fingers on the Rotary Pad.

Connect 3D Nav also allows full connectivity with all mobile devices running Apple iOS and Android operating systems, while the navigation system employs high-resolution 3D TomTom maps and Dead Reckoning technology to compensate for areas with poor GPS reception.

Audiophiles will welcome the availability of a sophisticated Harman Kardon Sound Theatre system, which debuts on Alfa Romeo Giulia and uses a 12-channel class D amplifier and Logic 7® technology to distributes rich, clear 5.1 surround sound through high-quality 14 speakers.

Powertrain

Underneath the hood lies the heart of the Giulia which is the turbo 2.9-litre petrol V6 engine. Composed entirely of aluminum, the engine uses the expertise and technology of the Ferrari as its inspiration. It comes as no surprise then to know that the V6 engine has a power output of 510hp and maximum torque of 600 Nm.

Maximum speed is 191mph, or about 307 km/h, and it can accelerate from 0 to 62mph (100 km/h) in merely 3.9 seconds. Even with such power, the Giulia has the best CO2 emission levels for its class at 198 g/km.

This is mainly due to the aerodynamics and the cylinder disabling system, which is electronically controlled. This amazing performance is also due to its advanced suspension system. The front portion utilizes a double wishbone suspension that also has a semi-virtual steering axis.

This combination is able to optimize what is known as the filtering effect, thereby ensuring fast and accurate steering. In fact, Giulia Quadrifoglio has the fastest steering ratio in its segment. This is also what makes the caster trail constant when cornering; thus, lateral acceleration (even at higher levels) is made possible.

The rear portion meanwhile is reinforced with the advanced multi-link set up and an electronically-controlled Torque Vectoring for its rear differential. This allows the driver to explore its handling without the need to run up against any invasive stability control system.

Another groundbreaking technology of the Giulia Quadrifoglio is the Integrated Brake System (IBS) which manages to combine the traditional servo brake with stability control resulting in having instantaneous brake response.

As another consequence of the system, it also enables what many say are record-breaking stopping distances, enabling a 32m stopping distance from speeds of 62mph, which is about 100 km/h. Then there is also the Active Aero Splitter.

This new technology helps in the aerodynamics of the front managing the downforce to get higher performance while at the same ensuring better grip when the car is cornering at high speeds. All of these new technologies are controlled in turn by what is called the Chassis Domain Control (CDC).

This particular piece of technology was developed in partnership with Magneti Marelli and serves as the 'brains' of the car since it is also responsible for coordinating all the electronics on-board.

It is the Chassis Domain Control that manages the different technologies available on the Giulia Quadrifoglio which include the Active Aero Splitter, active suspension, steering, brakes, eSC systems, and Torque Vectoring.

This of course is dependent on what mode is chosen through the Alfa DNA Pro. The Giulia has four options available for the driving mode. There is the standard Natural, Dynamic, and Race. The latest configuration added is the Advanced Efficiency mode for those who prefer to be energy efficient.

What makes the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio have all these dynamic capabilities are the low kerb weight of 1,524kg and the precise weight distribution of 50:50. The reason is that it mainly uses light materials. The prop shaft, bonnet and hood for instance use carbon fiber material.

Press Release

ALFA ROMEO GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO MAKES ITS PUBLIC DEBUT AT FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

The all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio makes its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show (Sept 17 – 27) with no fewer than five examples of the high-performance saloon on display across Alfa Romeo’s striking and impressive new stand, each finished in a different colour: Competizione Red, Trofeo White, Vulcano Black, Vesuvio Grey and Montecarlo Blue.

Built on an all-new, rear-wheel drive platform with an emphasis on light weight and agility, the sporty underpinnings of the new Giulia define its shape and strongly influence its design with Alfa Romeo stylists wrapping the mechanical components in a taut, muscular package dominated by its long bonnet, short overhangs, muscular haunches and the longest wheelbase in its class. Simple, natural lines enhance its shape and proportions, while the surface is finished with elegance and restraint, exuding the purity and style one comes to expect of Italian design.

Under the bonnet beats the heart of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, an all-aluminium, 2.9-litre turbo petrol V6 engine, inspired by Ferrari technology and expertise, which produces 510hp and 600Nm of torque, resulting in a top speed of 191mph (307 km/h) and a 0 – 62mph (100 km/h) time of just 3.9 seconds. Despite this high levels of performance, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio also returns best in class CO2 emissions levels at just 198g/km, largely thanks to its electronically-controlled cylinder disabling system and excellent aerodynamics.

Transmitting this performance to the road is a sophisticated and advanced suspension system:

The front employs a new double wishbone suspension with semi-virtual steering axis that was developed to optimise the filtering effect and guarantee rapid, accurate steering – the quickest steering ratio in its class, in fact! This exclusive Alfa Romeo feature keeps the caster trail constant in corners allowing higher levels of lateral accelerations thanks to its always-perfect footprint.

The rear is underpinned by an advanced multi-link set up, with electronically-controlled Torque Vectoring on the rear differential allowing the driver explore the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio’s handling without ever having running up against an invasive stability control system.

A new Integrated Brake System (IBS) – an innovative electromechanical system which combines stability control and a traditional servo brake for instantaneous brake response and consequent record-breaking stopping distances – is also being introduced on the new Alfa Romeo, resulting in a stopping distance from 62mph (100km/h) of just 32m. A new Active Aero Splitter, a front aerodynamic aid which actively manages downforce for higher performance and better grip at higher cornering speeds, also debuts on the new Alfa Romeo Giulia.

All of the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s state-of-the-art systems are governed by the Chassis Domain Control (CDC), a technology developed jointly with Magneti Marelli which acts like the car's 'brains' and coordinates all the on-board electronics.

The system manages the action of the various features – Torque Vectoring, Active Aero Splitter, active suspension, brakes, steering and ESC system – according to the mode selected by the driver using the new Alfa DNA Pro.

Four driving configurations are available: Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficiency (a new energy efficiency mode) and, of course, Race on high performance versions. Underpinning the dynamic capabilities of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio are its low kerb weight of just 1,524kg and perfect 50:50 weight distribution which are achieved by using ultralight materials including carbon fibre (prop shaft, bonnet, roof), aluminium (engine, brakes, suspension, front suspension turrets, rear subframe, doors, wings) and aluminium composite and plastic (rear crossmember).

Carbon ceramic disc brakes and ultra-light carbon fibre Sparco seats are also available.UK sales of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio will begin in the autumn of 2016 with pricing to be announced at a later date. Pricing for left-hand drive markets has been announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show, positioning it in direct competition with key performance car rivals while offer higher levels of performance and more advanced technologies.