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June 25, 2015
Alfa Romeo Giulia Makes its World Premiere | Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giulia | Alfa Romeo
Engine Co-developed with Ferrari
Alfa Romeo Giulia World Premiere
Alfa Romeo unveiled the new four-door sedan "Giulia" on June 24th, Italian time. The FR sedan, the first since the "75", has finally returned.
Text by AKIZUKI Shinichiro (OPENERS)
The Name Giulia Reborn for Modern Times
How long have we waited for the debut of the "Giulia"? It's been several years of constant rumors.—But, any weary Alfisti will surely have their gloomy feelings swept away by the sight of this car.
The venue chosen for the world premiere was the newly renovated Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, a suburb of Milan, Italy. Amidst media and journalists gathered from around the world, the Giulia made its appearance this year, marking the company's 105th anniversary.
Developed under the theme of "a perfect fusion of Alfa Romeo's paradigm and meccanica delle emozioni (emotionally engineered machines)", the new model incorporates the following five elements. First, it possesses an Italian design that is instantly recognizable as an Alfa Romeo. Second, it features high-performance, innovative engines. Third, it achieves an ideal 50:50 weight distribution. Fourth, it incorporates unique technological solutions. And fifth, it attains the best power-to-weight ratio.
The styling of the Giulia, which appeared with a newly designed emblem on the traditional shield grille, is more conservative and simpler compared to the current models like the "4C" and the "MiTo", and the "Giulietta".
With a long wheelbase chassis prioritizing weight distribution, the overhangs have been shortened to create a long nose. The passenger seats have been moved closer to the drive wheels, achieving a powerful proportion line that flows into the rear wing. Furthermore, Alfa Romeo states that the rounded body edges and pillars create a "teardrop" shape reminiscent of the first-generation "Giulietta Sprint" that debuted in 1954 and was hailed as one of the most beautiful cars ever.
Alfa Romeo Giulia | Alfa Romeo
Engine Co-developed with Ferrari
Alfa Romeo Giulia World Premiere (2)
0-100km/h Acceleration in Just 3.9 Seconds
The power unit is a V6 twin-turbo engine, reportedly developed with Ferrari engineers, delivering a maximum output of 510 hp. It achieves 0-100km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds, a time 0.9 seconds faster than the top-range "S Q4" of the Maserati Ghibli.
While likely based on the V6 twin-turbo engine used in Maserati models and sharing core components, the Giulia's engine is constructed entirely of aluminum to reduce weight on the front axle. It also features a cylinder deactivation system, reportedly achieving remarkable fuel efficiency.
Currently, this engine is fitted to the "Quadrifoglio" version, the top-tier grade of the Giulia. Announcements for other models, including next-generation gasoline and diesel engines, are scheduled for a later date.
To maximize drivability and achieve the ideal 50:50 weight distribution for a sports car, the Giulia's suspension has undergone various enhancements. The rear features a multi-link setup, while the front utilizes a newly developed double-wishbone suspension called "semi-virtual steering axis" for quick and precise steering.
This suspension system, with Alfa Romeo's unique mechanism, maintains a constant angle during cornering to ensure maximum grip at all times, capable of withstanding significant lateral acceleration.
Alfa Romeo Giulia | Alfa Romeo
Engine Co-developed with Ferrari
Alfa Romeo Giulia World Premiere (3)
Power-to-Weight Ratio Under 3kg/hp
Alfa Romeo states that electronic controls are implemented on the Giulia only "when they can guarantee that the driving experience is further enhanced."
Examples include a torque-vectoring system that individually controls torque distribution to each rear wheel, and an integrated brake system that combines stability control with conventional servo brakes for instantaneous response. The company claims this system achieves braking distances at an unprecedented level.
The Giulia is also equipped with an active front lip spoiler, known as an active aero spoiler, as seen in one scene of the promotional video. Along with excellent aerodynamic efficiency (Cx value), it is expected to provide perfect balance and downforce during cornering.
All these electronic control systems are optimally managed by a device called Chassis Domain Control, the "brain" that manages performance optimization and driving enjoyment respectively.
Naturally, the Giulia also features the "Alfa DNA system," a driving mode selector found in current Alfa Romeo models. While "Dynamic" and "Natural" remain, new modes have been added: "Advanced Efficiency" for improved fuel economy and "Racing" for high performance.
While the vehicle's weight specifications were not disclosed, Alfa Romeo's release states that the Giulia's power-to-weight ratio is under 3kg/hp. Extensive weight reduction measures have been implemented, including the use of carbon fiber for the propeller shaft, hood, roof, and seat structural frames, aluminum for the doors, and aluminum composite and plastic for the rear cross member.
In the promotional video, the reborn Giulia showcased its endlessly extending Italian engine sound and agile handling. How has the Italian premium brand, entering a segment crowded with formidable European FR sedans like the BMW "3 Series", the Mercedes-Benz "C-Class", the Audi "A4", and the Jaguar "XE", crafted this car? We eagerly await its arrival in Japan.





