The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
The Alfa Romeo Giulia with the strange last name is dynamite
The mid-sized sedan from Italy with the legendary Alfa Romeo name is a very good car with plenty of panache.
While it is impressive enough, add in a bit of driving in the “halo” model called Quadrifoglio and the impact is even greater.
While the Quadrifoglio is a bit expensive at $74,445 when the base 2020 Giulia starts at $39,345, its capability emphasizes to the rest of us what is good about all versions of the car.
This is thanks to those capabilities and specifics much like the BMW M-badged or Mercedes AMD nomenclature. It begins with a six- cylinder version of the Ferrari V-8 engine. This smaller version generates 505-horsepower and 443 lb.ft. of peak torque, out of a 2.9- liter, twin- turbocharged V- 6 engine.
It can propel you to 60 mph in a neck-snapping 3.8 seconds. The rest of the Giulia lineup gets a direct-injected 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine putting out 280 hp. and 306 lb.- ft. of peak torque. This makes them pretty lively as well.
But the Quadrifoglio is in a category for which few cars that qualify. Naturally all cars with 500 horses trotting it around are responsive. But this Giulia feels like a race car.
The brakes are tremendous, and they’re painted red so when they peek out of the wheels they make a statement that says performance. The steering is spot on, and very precise on turnin, something that separates the contenders from the wannabes.
It is very easy to hang the rear end out. This is most noticeable if you press the loud pedal a bit hard when turning from a stop. Then again, people who are going to buy a Giulia Quadrifoglio should know something about car control. But I guarantee it will happen to each and every person who drives it within the first couple of hours of driving it.
Aweek in this car was rewarding. Even in suburban putt-putting this is fun to drive.
I’m guessing this is a once burned, twice shy situation where the learning curve is sharp. At least it was for me.
A week in this car was rewarding. Even in suburban putt- putting this is fun to drive. One feature that helps is there is really no indication for most people that you are driving a car that eats Mustangs and Camaros for lunch – in the twisties or from a dead stop, your choice.
But on the highway this Alfa is a good cruiser, considering the serious rubber on the rims.
But the best thing about driving this car, no matter at what speed and level of intensity is that it reminds you that there is still a cutting edge to automotive endeavor: that not every car is a compromise considering all levels of driving capability. This Quadrifoglio requires a commitment to controlling what’s happening with your vehicle. While it is utterly safe to drive, inattention is simply unacceptable.
Beyond the driving all the necessary kit is there. This includes such things as leather seating, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, passive entry, remote start, bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and LED taillights. There’s selectable drive mode and a back- up camera with rear park sensors. Those are features which are standard on all the models of the Giulia.
The Quadrifoglio gets you a carbon fiber hood, roof and rear spoiler which lightens the car and lowers the center of gravity for better handling.
The performance double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension both have coil springs and are adaptive. That means it works with the car’s torque vectoring which helps the car go the way its pointed.
In front there’s also a carbon fiber active aero front splitter helping to keep the front wheels planted for more effective turn-in. inside the Harmon Kardon premium audio system is delightful and the carbon-fiber interior trim has an appealing look that is clearly Roman. Naturally there are plenty of safety capabilities, including full- speed forward collision warning. And navigation.
This is a car that is designed very much to not be for everyone. That may be its greatest appeal. You have to know it to know how good it is.