Alfa Romeo Giulia Arrives in Japan | Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Giulia | The Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo Giulia Arrives in Japan

FCA Japan will begin sales of the Alfa Romeo D-segment sports sedan, the “Giulia” on October 14th. Prices start from 4.46 million yen.

Text & Photographs by UCHIDA Shunichi

Four Grades Introduced to Japan

In recent years, Alfa Romeo has introduced relatively compact models such as the “MiTo” and “Giulietta”, and “4C”. Now, the Giulia, a mid-size sedan that succeeds the 156 and 159, is being launched.

Four main grades will be introduced to Japan. The entry-level “Giulia” is positioned as a made-to-order model and is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder MultiAir twin-scroll turbo engine. It produces 200ps and 330Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include bi-xenon headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, 6-way power seats, and the Connect infotainment system.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Super

The “Giulia Super” shares the same powertrain as the Giulia but adds premium leather seats, a leather-wrapped instrument panel and door panels with stitching, wood trim in walnut or grey oak, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. At the press event, Pontus Hegstrom, President of FCA Japan, introduced this grade by saying, “This is a luxury grade with a refined interior that embodies the premium feel of Italian cars. It is packed with advanced comfort and safety features, boasting a level of equipment that surpasses its German competitors.”

Next is the “Giulia Veloce.” While it uses the same engine type as the Super, its performance is enhanced to 280ps and 400Nm, and it is equipped with all-wheel drive. The braking performance is also upgraded, making it a sportier grade that emphasizes driving dynamics.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Finally, there is the “Giulia Quadrifoglio.” As the highest-performance grade in the Giulia series, it is powered by a 2.9-liter V6 twin-turbo engine. Developed in-house by Alfa Romeo, with a team of engineers including those from Ferrari, this engine produces a maximum output of 510ps and a maximum torque of 600Nm. Despite being rear-wheel drive, it boasts a 0-100km/h acceleration of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 307km/h. In 2016, it set the then-fastest lap time for a four-door sedan on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 7 minutes and 32 seconds.

It features exclusive equipment such as an active aero splitter, torque vectoring, 19-inch wide tires with different sizes front and rear, and an enlarged braking system. Furthermore, the use of carbon fiber for the hood and roof panel achieves a power-to-weight ratio of less than 3.0kg/ps. Pontus Hegstrom stated, “It boasts overwhelming performance that surpasses competing high-performance models,” emphasizing its strong competitiveness against German rivals.

Alfa Romeo Giulia | The Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo Giulia Arrives in Japan (2)

Five Keywords for a Machine That Appeals to the Emotions

In developing the Giulia, Alfa Romeo aimed for "La meccanica delle emozioni" – a new dimension of driving experience that stirs the driver's emotions. To achieve this, the development team established five keywords: first, an innovative engine; second, an ideal 50:50 weight distribution; third, unique technological solutions; fourth, excellent power-to-weight ratio; and fifth, sophisticated Italian design.

As mentioned, there are three engine variations available in Japan. Notably, the Quadrifoglio's engine incorporates a cylinder deactivation system, balancing high power with efficiency.

“A 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution is a fundamental element for Alfa Romeo,” said Pontus Hegstrom. Based on the newly designed rear-wheel-drive architecture called "Giorgio," heavy components are placed as centrally as possible. The car features a carbon propeller shaft from Hitachi Automotive (for the Quadrifoglio), contributing to weight reduction, and the innovative ALFA LINK suspension, which utilizes aluminum extensively, is standard on all grades. These elements contribute to both the balanced weight distribution and an exceptional power-to-weight ratio.

Safety features include Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with pedestrian detection and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Grades from the Giulia Super upwards also come equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).

The design emphasizes sportiness through its classic front-engine, rear-drive sedan proportions, featuring a long hood and short deck. The short front overhang, in particular, accentuates the long hood.

The 2,820mm wheelbase ensures ample interior space for five occupants, while the roofline, which flows seamlessly to the rear, creates a coupe-like silhouette.

Design motifs from Alfa Romeo's legendary cars are also incorporated. One such inspiration is the "Disco Volante," nicknamed the "flying saucer" for its aerodynamic design. Originally built in 1952 for races like the Mille Miglia, only two spider and one coupe versions were produced. The lines flowing from the front to the side, and the motif from the headlights to the fenders, have been integrated into the Giulia. The shoulder line from the 1960 "Giulia Sprint Speciale," which evolved from the Disco Volante, has also been carried over to the Giulia.

The traditional Alfa Romeo front design, with its vertical grille flanked by air intakes, has also been retained. While adapted for modern times, it ensures the car is instantly recognizable as an Alfa Romeo.

Alfa Romeo Giulia | The Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo Giulia Arrives in Japan (3)

Exclusive Alfa Romeo Dealerships Nationwide

“In the first half of 2017, Alfa Romeo brand sales in Europe grew significantly by 40 percent year-on-year, driven by the Giulia,” said Pontus Hegstrom.

Expectations are high for the Japanese market as well, with plans to establish a nationwide network of exclusive Alfa Romeo dealerships. “Our new dealerships will feature designs that express premium quality and sophistication, based on the brand's new corporate identity. In addition to existing authorized dealers, we are signing agreements with new dealers, aiming to expand to approximately 60 locations nationwide by 2018,” he commented.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Coinciding with the Giulia's launch, the SUV model, the “Stelvio” was also unveiled in Japan for the first time. "We will launch it in Japan within one year from today," he stated.

On the day the Giulia was announced to the press, a second-generation electric vehicle from a Japanese manufacturer had its world premiere. In light of this, Pontus Hegstrom commented, “Electric vehicles represent one direction for the future. Alfa Romeo, with its 107-year tradition, does not deny this but rather proposes another wonderful vision for the future. This is the joy of driving, centered around the driver, with the sensuous sound of the engine, all enveloped in beautiful Italian design. The introduction of the Giulia is merely the beginning of the reborn Alfa Romeo. In the coming years, Alfa Romeo models, including the Stelvio, will be launched one after another, so please look forward to them.” It seems Alfa Romeo will continue to create cars that appeal to all five human senses from every angle.