Rumors about Alfa Romeo’s plans to revive the Giulia nameplate have been floating around since 2012, but it took the Italians until 2015 to actually reveal a modern incarnation of its iconic compact sedan. Developed as a rear-wheel-drive competitor for the 2016 BMW 3 Series and the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the new Giulia also marks the brand’s return to its RWD roots. Making the news that much better is that Alfa Romeo kicked this revival off with a high-performance model aimed at the 2016 BMW M3 and 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63.

Meet the Giulia Quadrifoglio, the beefed-up sedan that’s been forged with just one purpose: to obliterate its German rivals.

This is indeed a great moment for Alfa Romeo, which has just launched its first RWD sedan since 1992, when the 75/Milano model was discontinued. From then on, Fiat took over and replaced it with the 155, 156, and the 159. The 159 was retired in 2011, putting an end to Alfa Romeo as a compact executive-car manufacturer. Come 2015 and the Italian brand finally has something to brag about.

Updated 12/12/2016: Alfa Romeo revealed prices for the most powerful version of its latest Giulia sedan.

Continue reading to learn more about the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 510
  • Torque: 442
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

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Exterior

Before we take a deep dive into the Giulia’s design, I must stress that our rendering was way off what Alfa Romeo penned for this sedan. In fact, none of the renderings that surfaced the Interwebz got it right. It may be just a case of bad luck, but I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that no one expected the Giulia, even though it’s the Quadrifoglio version I’m talking about here, to be this brutal. While it’s a savage design of the "love it or hate it" variety, that front end is definitely something you don’t want to see in your rear-view mirror.

Europe just got its very own Dodge Charger. It’s brutal and seemingly unpolished. It’s not beautiful in a contest-winning way, but it’s damn gorgeous for what it represents.


The front fascia is unlike anything else seen on an Alfa Romeo (yeah, it’s not like it has many models in showrooms nowadays), with sleek headlamps extending toward the nose and a massive split intake down below. That thing is huge and looks like it’s eager to swallow all the Bimmers in its path. The traditional Alfa Romeo shield-shaped front grille is there as well, helping the aggressive hood and hose blend in with the nearly flat front end.

The styling is less radical around back, but equally aggressive. The taillights seem to be somewhat reminiscent of the 2006 Alfa 159, but everything else was designed with sportiness in mind. There’s a subtle spoiler atop the trunk lid, while the beefy bumper houses a massive diffuser with a menacing quad-pipe exhaust layout.

The sculpted profile is highlighted by gills behind the front fenders and a deep character line that goes all the way toward the beefy rear haunches. The creases at the bottom of the doors enhance the protruding side skirts. Finally, the Alfa Romeo-style wheels are here to remind us that the Italian brand is back in business. The big brake discs and calipers behind the rims also speak volumes of the sedan’s performance.

COMPETING DESIGNS

Around since 2014, the current BMW M3 (left) is already a classic. Although penned by a different designer, the F80 M3 is just an evolution of the previous model, featuring some of the same styling cues that were brought into the spotlight back in 2007. Needless to say, the sedan has an aggressive exterior with large bumper intakes and a sporty diffuser, but it's nowhere near as brutal as the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The Bimmer is set to get a facelift in 2017, but don't expect anything major. If previous updates are any indication, the sedan will get revised headlamps and taillights, with almost everything else to carry over unchanged. Launched for the 2015 model year, the current AMG C63 (right) follows into the footsteps of the M3, as it is a beefed-up version of its road-going counterpart, which in this case is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Much like the M3, the C63 is no match for the Giulia Quadrifoglio as far as aggressiveness goes, but if you're looking for a sedan that both powerful and stylish, it's one of the best choices you have. Thanks to its S-Class-inspired design, carefully integrated aero parts, and clean but clever lines, the AMG C63 is the perfect compact if you want the performance, but not the brutal looks of the Quadrifoglio.

BMW M3

Mercedes-AMG C63

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Wheelbase (Inches)

110.7

111.8

111.0

Length (Inches)

184.6

187.2

182.6

Width (Inches)

73.9

72.4

73.7

Height (Inches)

56.1

56.1

56.1


Interior

Not surprisingly, the Italians went with a simple and sporty design. Oriented toward the driver like in any full-fledged sports car, the dashboard features a large instrument cluster and an infotainment screen embedded above the center stack. The 8.8-inch display provides access to real-time vehicle performance and telemetry, 3D graphic navigation that recognizes hand-written gestures on the top of the rotary pad, as well as a wide range of useful apps. The second rotary dial controls Alfa's DNA Pro system, which consist of four different driver selectable modes: Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficiency or Race mode. These can be used to create a unique driving experience by adjusting the throttle response, turbo boost, suspension, and exhaust note.

The buttons and knobs are reduced to a minimum in an overall clean design, with two round A/C vents on each side. Interestingly enough, the Giulia doesn’t feature the wraparound-style dashboard seen on most modern vehicles. The Quadrifoglio also has plenty to brag about as far as premium features go. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and Alcantara, while the dashboard, armrest, and door panels feature contrast stitching. The sporty seats are also covered in leather and Alcantara, while the center console has a carbon-fiber case. Not bad for a performance sedan that just came out of nowhere!

In terms roominess, the Giulia is quite comfortable in the front and rear. There’s plenty of room up front for tall passengers, and in the rear there’s impressive legroom and adequate shoulder room. Head room isn't bad either, but tall passengers might not feel that comfortable in the back seat.

THE COMPETITION

While interior designs are also a matter of taste, I think that the M3 is the big loser here, as most BMW's current cabins are in dire need of a refresh. Sure, it's not that dated and not that of a big mess when it comes to ergonomics, but it feels somewhat old and cluttered when compared to the competition. Still, highlights include intuitive control placement, a leather-wrapped dashboard, and an M-specific instrument cluster with green, yellow, and red engine warning lights and a full-color head-up display that projects all the information you need right in your line of sight. The seats are comfortable, yet provide enough support for spirited driving, while overall fit and finish is worthy of a premium German car. The same can be said about the Mercedes-AMG S63, but this sedan stands out thanks to its more impressive dashboard design. Based on the larger S-Class, the C-Class cabin includes a two-tier dashboard design with a sloping, wide center stack that houses three round A/C vents, almost all the controls, a "free-standing" display and even an analog clock. Interesting features include the Race timer function, which displays performance figures on the head-up display, an IWC analog clock, brushed aluminum pedals, and trim such as Linden wood, Silver fiberglass, and even carbon-fiber.

BMW M3

Mercedes-AMG C63

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

BMW M3

Mercedes-AMG C63

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

40.3

37.1

TBA

Headroom (inches)

42.0/35.1

41.7

TBA

Legroom, front/rear (inches)

55.1/55.1

TBA

TBA


Drivetrain

This is where things get even more serious, and a department BMW and Mercedes should keep their eyes on. While the standard Giulia comes with a range of gasoline and diesel engines developed to offer an optimum blend of performance and fuel economy, the Quadrifoglio model received a wild 3.0-liter V-6 co-developed with Ferrari.

The U.S.-spec model will cross the pond with 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, which makes it significantly more powerful than the 425-horsepower BMW M3 and the 503-horsepower Mercedes-AMG C63 S. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is also the most powerful factory-built Alfa Romeo to date.

The Italians claim it can hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, but there's no word on whether this is achieved with the six-speed manual or the eight-speed automatic. My guess is the number is for the automatic model also equipped with all-wheel drive. This is good news for U.S. customers, as the Giulia Q gets only the automatic in North America.

Performance, it’s a bit quicker than the M3 and C63, while being at least 200 pounds lighter than both. According to Alfa, the Giulia Quadrifoglio has a weight-to-power ratio "remarkably lower" than 3 kg per PS, which means the sedan tips the scales at less than 1,530 kg, or 3,373 pounds, (most likely with a manual transmission). Top speed is rated at an impressive 191 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

Type

2.9-liter turbocharged V-6

Output

505 HP

Torque

443 LB-FT

0 to 60 mph

3.8 seconds

Top Speed

191 mph


COMPETING PERFORMANCE

This is where there's an obvious gap between the Giulia Quadrifoglio and its competitors. Equipped with a turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-six, the M3 hits the tarmac with 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. While that's nothing to sneeze at, it's pretty far from the Giulia's 505-horsepower and 443-pound-feet rating. The deficit is evident when it comes to 0-to-60 sprints too, as the Bimmer is a tenth-second slower at 3.9 clicks with the dual-clutch automatic. Granted, it's not something that should matter if you're using these cars are daily drivers, but Alfa Romeo can rightfully brag about having the quicker and more powerful sedan. Moving over to the Mercedes-AMG C63, output and performance depends on what model you go for. The base model, which uses a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8, comes with 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The Merc is also less powerful, but much all AMGs out there, it benefits from more torque. However, it's still slower to 60 mph, needing four seconds. For a proper alternative you need to pick the C63 S version, which comes with a more powerful variant of the V-8. This one is rated at 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet. Power is about the same, but the extra torque is a massive 73 pound-feet. On the flipside, the C63 S is also a tenth-second slower to 60 mph. But if you like the grunt of the V-8 instead of a six-cylinder, this slight difference shouldn't matter. One more thing to note is that both the M3 and AMG C63 are limited to 155 mph, while the Giulia QUadrifoglio can speed up to 191 mph.

BMW M3

Mercedes-AMG C63

Mercedes-AMG C63S

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Engine

3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder

4.0-liter V-8 biturbo

4.0-liter V-8 biturbo

2.9-Liter 24-Valve bi-turbo V-6

Horsepower

425 HP @ 5,500–7,300 RPM

469 HP @ 5,500 RPM

503 HP @ 5,500-6250 RPM

505 HP @ 6,500 RPM

Torque

406 LB-FT @ 1,850–5,500 RPM

479 LB-FT @ 1,750-4,500 RPM

516 LB-FT @ 1,750-4,500 RPM

443 LB-FT @ 2,500-5,500 RPM

Transmission

6-speed manual/7-speed M Double Clutch

7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT

7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT

six-speed manual

0 to 60 mph

4.1/3.9 seconds manual/automatic

4.0 seconds

3.9 seconds

3.8 seconds

0 to 60 mph

155 mph

155 mph

180 mph

191 mph

Top Speed

17/26/19

18/24

18/24

TBA

Fuel economy city/highway/combined

3,575 Lbs

3,829 Lbs

3,856 Lbs

TBA


Chassis, Suspension and Brakes

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The Giulia Quadrifoglio is packed with all the goodies we can expect from a modern performance sedan. It has a double-wishbone suspension at the front and a five-link system at the rear, while spring and damper rates are tuned to make the sedan as sporty as possible on both the road and the track. There's also an active differential and torque vectoring, which work in conjunction with a perfect 50-50 weight distribution. The Italians also claim that the Giulia Quadrifoglio has "the most direct steering on the market." Standard stopping power comes from iron rotors clamped by four-pot Brembo calipers at all four corners. Optionally, Alfa Romeo offers carbon-ceramic rotors and six-piston Brembo calipers for the front axle.

THE COMPETITION

Needless to say, both BMW and Mercedes have plenty of experience as far as track-ready road cars go and know how to design a chassis for the perfect blend of performance and daily comfort. The M3 rides on a lightweight chassis that includes many aluminum parts, such as double-joint spring struts, control arms, wheel carriers, and axle subframes, while the play-free ball joints and rubber-bushing free, five-link rear suspension keep things tight. Keeping the C63 on its best behavior is AMG’s Ride Control sport suspension with three-stage adjustable damping. The independent suspension is built mostly of aluminum and features dynamic-oriented kinematics, electronically controlled shock absorbers, and AMG-specific elastokinematics. The system comprises a four-link suspension up front and a multi-link unit on the rear, which can be set between three different stages for either optimum long-distance comfort or maximum sporting performance. There’s also a rear locking differential, a three-stage ESP, and a precise, speed-sensitive sport steering. Of the three cars here, the Merc appears to have the most advanced suspension system.

THE COMPETITION

U.S. pricing for the Giulia Quadrifoglio starts from $72,000, which makes it the most expensive Alfa Romeo model available in North America as of December 2016. For reference, the 4C Coupe retails from $55,900, while the 4C Spider starts from $65,900. In the U.K., the beefed-up sedan fetches £59,000 before options, which accounts for a £30,000 premium over the base Giulia model. That's a lot of extra cash, but the Quadrifoglio badge comes with significantly more features.

Prices

Moving over to the competition, you can buy a BMW M3 sedan for a lot less. Specifically, the German four-door costs $64,000 before options. The same goes for the Mercedes-AMG C63 too, which starts from $65,200. However, you should keep in mind that these cars come with 425 and 469 horsepower, respectively. If you want a German car with the a similar amount of oomph, your only choice is the AMG C63 S. This version of sedan cranks out an impressive 503 horses, but pricing goes up to $72,800, which puts it on par with the Giulia Quadrifoglio.

BMW M3

$64,000

Mercedes-AMG C63

$65,200

Meercedes-AMG C63 S

$72,800

Cadillac ATS-V Sedan

$60,695

Audi RS4

$60,000 (est.)

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

$72,000


COMPETING PRICES

Competitors

Cadillac ATS-V Sedan

If you're looking for a performance sedan made in the good ole U.S. of A., then you need to take a closer look at the ATS-V. Based on the ATS, the company's smallest car to date, the ATS-V has everything it takes to compete in this tough niche. It looks aggressive yet stylish, it has a premium interior, and a powerful drivetrain. Motivated by a twin-turbo, 3.6-liter V-6 with titanium connecting rods and titanium-aluminide turbines, the ATS-V Sedan has 464 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of twist on tap. Although it's not as powerful as the Giulia Quadrifoglio and Mercedes-AMG C63 S, the ATS-V is among the quickest, needing 3.9 seconds to hit 60 mph. Its top speed is also superior to that of its German counterparts, reaching 185 mph. The sedan also gets GM’s third-generation Magnetic Ride Control with three driver-selectable driving modes, including a setting for the track. Priced from $60,695, the ATS-V is the most affordable proposition here.

Learn more about the Cadillac ATS-V Sedan here.

Audi RS4 Sedan

The latest Audi A4 sedan has yet to receive an RS versions, but we know it's underway for 2017. Also, unlike the previous model, the beefed-up sedan may finally find its way into North American dealerships. Styling-wise, it should be a more aggressive version of the latest A4, meaning it will sport the same angular cues highlighted by enhanced aero work, wider fenders, and bigger air vents. The interior will also be brand-new and include some of the finest materials on the market and Audi's latest technology. Under the hood, the previous 4.2-liter V-8 will be dropped in favor of a turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6. Output is still a mystery, but given that the outgoing model comes with 444 horsepower, the redesigned should could benefit from almost 500 horses. This figure, along with the lighter chassis and body, should make it as quick as the competition. Pricing-wise, the RS4 Sedan should sit somewhere in the upper $60,000 range.

Find out more about the Audi RS4 Sedan here.

Conclusion

The 2014 Alfa 4C might have been the beginning of a beautiful revival of the Alfa Romeo brand, but it's the Giulia Quadrifoglio that signals things are about to get a lot more serious. It's been more than two decades since Alfa offered a RWD sedan, which makes the introduction of the Giulia somewhat of a historic moment for the Italian brand. This could also mean that FCA finally decided Alfa Romeo needs to operate on its own and sell products built on performance-oriented platforms rather than boring Fiat underpinnings.

Better late than never, right?

More importantly, the performance compact segment just got a new member, which raises the number of sedans worthy of our attention to five (including the M3, AMG C63, ATS-V, and Audi RS4). Also, the big guns of the niche might finally have a proper Italian vehicle to give them a run for their money.

Welcome back, Alfa Romeo!

Diseno Art Renderings

Updated History

Updated 11/20/2015: We added a set of new images taken during the car's official debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Updated 11/18/2015: The new Alfa Romeo Giula Quadrifoglio made its North American debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. According to the company, sales will begin in the second-quarter of 2016 with a starting price of around $70,000.

Updated 09/21/2015: We’ve added a series of new photos we took at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Find them in the "Pictures" tab.

Updated 09/15/2015: Alfa Romeo brought the new Giulia Quadrifoglio to the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show and officially confirmed that in Italy the model will be priced from 79,000 euro - about $89,000 at the current exchange rates. Sales will begin in the fourth quarter of 2015. The company also confirmed that the new Giulia Quadrifoglio lapped Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 39 seconds.

Updated 08/27/2015: The peeps from Blog di Motori say that a Giulia Quadrifoglio prototype ran the Nurburgring in just 7:43 minutes. Obviously, nothing is official, but that time would make it much faster than the 2015 BMW M4 (7:52 minutes) and on par with thoroughbred sports cars like the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus (7:44 minutes) or the 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4 (7:42 minutes). Stay tuned on TopSpeed for more details.

Updated 08/21/2015: A camouflaged prototype of the upcoming Giulia Quadrifoglio was recently spotted doing rounds on the Nordschleife. As you can see and hear, the test driver wasn't going easy on the model. Turn up your speakers for that Alfa (Ferrari?) V-6 sound!

Updated 07/09/2015: It's true that Alfa Romeo already unveiled the new Giulia in its most powerful version - the Quadrifoglio Verde, but our spy photographers caught some prototypes testing at Nurburgring. Also, new rumors suggest the new Giulia Quadrifoglio can hit a top speed of 321 km/h (200 mph).

Updated 06/24/2015: Alfa Romeo dropped the first official details on the new Giulia - the company’s first RWD sports sedan after the 75/Milano was discontinued in 1992. It looks like the company decided to start the unveiling with the most powerful version in the lineup: the new Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde which will get a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine with 503 horsepower.

Updated 04/13/2015: While speculation is all we have on the Alfa Romeo Giulia so far, we decided to create a rendering of what we think the car will look like. We hope you like it.

Rendering