Alfa Romeo didn’t have a bombshell at the 2019 New York Auto Show. It didn’t even have a new concept to showcase. Instead, the Italian automaker brought with it a pair of special editions for its two workhorses: the Guilia Quadrifoglio sedan and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV. The two models are called the Nring Editions, a loose reference to the Nurburgring where Alfa Romeo has a rich history of racing victories and record-setting lap times. Ironically, neither the Guilia Quadrifoglio Nring Edition nor its Stelvio counterpart boast any engine upgrades. The good news is that both special editions are loaded on exterior and interior upgrades, which is the point of their existence in the first place. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nring Edition costs $97,485 (including the $1,595 destination fee), while the Giulia Quadrifoglio Nring Edition sells for $91,485. Both special edition models will be on sale in the U.S. beginning in the second quarter of 2019.

Alfa Romeo Special Editions At the 2019 New York Auto Show

Special edition models have increased in numbers these days. Part of that is because many automakers are slapping special edition labels on just about anything they can celebrate. There’s a new color coming out? Put that on a special edition model. A certain celebration is in order? Celebrate that with a special edition model. There was a time when the term special edition meant something in the industry, and while there are still instances when the label is warranted, that’s no longer the case these days. Fortunately, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Nring Edition and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nring Edition don’t fall under this lot, even if it looks like they do.

The two special edition Alfas carry the Nurburgring name, in part because both have taken turns terrorizing the ‘Ring in recent years. The rightful record-holder at the Ring is the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S, which set a blistering lap time of 7:49.37 in November 2018. Unfortunately, the AMG GLC 63 S isn’t available in the U.S. so the Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nring Edition can make that claim, at least for now. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio also has a history with the Nurburgring, laying claim to being the fastest five-passenger car around the famous race track when it achieved a lap time of 7:32 back in September 2016. Depending on who you ask, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S now holds that record with a lap time of 7:25, though Mercedes seems to think more of its model as a “four-door coupe” rather than a sedan. Perhaps all of this is simply a case of semantics, and, for the most part, it probably is. But Alfa Romeo promised its high-performance Giulia and Stelvio models would be Nurburgring barnburners, and both models have lived up to that promise.

And so, here we are. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Nring Edition and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nring Edition are taking center stage at the 2019 New York Auto Show. Both special edition models wear an exclusive Circuito Gray matte paint finish. It’s a nice shade that, at the very least, distances itself away from all the standard colors that the sedan and SUV come in. It’s not all about the exclusive paint, too. You’ll find the trim mostly in the same spots, though, including around the front grille, mirror caps, and the darkened badges. For its part, the Giulia Quadrifoglio Nring Edition comes with an exposed carbon fiber roof and sits on a set of 19-inch black wheels with matching red brake calipers peeking from just behind the wheels. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nring Edition, on the other hand, gets a shot of its own exclusive features, specifically the dual-pane sunroof, carbon fiber side sills, and a set of 20-inch wheels with similar-looking red brake calipers. If these red calipers aren’t your thing, you can avail the optional upgrade to Brembo carbon ceramic brake discs with six-piston calipers in front and four-piston parts in the back. You’ll obviously have to pay more for these carbon ceramic brake discs, but the benefits that come with it — they can withstand a lot more heat than their cast-iron and steel counterparts — should come in handy when you’re exerting maximum effort out of these two high-performance Alfas.

The three-tone template with the Circuito Gray matte exterior creates a nice color combination. It’s not boring, but it doesn’t scream for attention, either. It’s the right of mix of aggression and refinement that speaks to the accomplishments of both models in the Nurburgring. For consistency’s sake, the interior also comes with its own carbon fiber trim, which can be found on the steering wheel and the trim around the shifter. The Giulia Nring Edition features illuminated carbon fiber door sill plates, and both special edition models carry plaques denoting their production number. Throw in a few spicy options and packages — the Sparco carbon fiber frame racing seats are must-adds — and the Giulia Nring Edition and the Stelvio Nring Edition start looking like proper special edition models.

Both the Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio are powered by the same Ferrari-sourced 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that produces 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. That equates to a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.8 seconds for the high-performance sedan and exactly the same time — 3.8 seconds — for the SUV. Top speed for the Giulia Quadrifoglio Nring Edition hits 191 mph while the Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nring Edition tops out at 176 mph.

2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia & Stelvio Quadrifoglio specifications

Alfa Romeo says that only 110 units of each model will be available. It’s unclear if it’s the same total as the Euro-spec models that we saw at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show in March. In any case, those who want a piece of these special edition Alfas will need to shell out $97,485 for the Stelvio Quarifoglio Nring Edition $91,485 for the Giulia Quadrifoglio Nring Edition. Both models are expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2019.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Read our full review on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

Read our full driven review on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.