Sport Sedan, Italian Style
2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo brand returned to the states in 2014, after an absence of more than 20 years. Their initial offering was the 4C; a two seat sports car, targeting driving enthusiasts. Three years later, the company followed with the Giulia – an entry-luxury sports sedan. For 2020, the Alfa midsize is offered in three, main models - Giulia, TI, Quadrifoglio. The TI series is further subdivided into TI, TI Sport, TI Sport Carbon, and TI Sport Lusso versions. All models are rear-wheel drive. All can be upgraded to all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000 – except for the Quadrifoglio. The rangetopping, performance-minded ‘Quad’ is rear drive only.
As a Certified Winter Denialist, I am experienced in explaining away any hint that an Albany winter is in the offing. At some level, though, even I know that it’s going to get here, and the only thing worse than getting stuck with winter weather, is getting stuck in winter weather. Those shopping the Rwd-only Quadrifoglio in our neck of the woods will be parking it during wintry weather. For those considering the other Giulia models, I would suggest that you spare yourself the angst of slipping and sliding on slushy streets. Chop up the $2,000, and sprinkle it over the life of your loan/lease. Besides, the added traction pays
2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia
MSRP: $ 39,400 (Giulia) $41,400 (Giulia TI) 74,500 (Giulia Quadrifoglio)
dividends year ‘round. The system maintains a rear wheel bias in normal conditions (up to 100%), but can push as much as 60% of the available engine torque to the front wheels when needed, to maximize grip. The Giulia has impressive roadability. Grip, fine balance (near 50/50 weight distribution), responsive steering and strong brakes combine together in an agile, fun to drive sedan. Alfa’s DNA drive mode offers three settings – Normal, Dynamic and Advanced Efficiency (a fourth, Race mode is reserved for Quadrifoglio only). Switching to Dynamic sharpens shift points and steering feel, the better to iron the kinks out of a twisty road. But, it also
stiffens the suspension settings and reduces ride quality. So, “D” is best left for spirited driving.
Two engines are available in Giulia – both noteworthy. Base and TI cars get an all aluminum, 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder engine, connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission rated at 280 horsepower (@5,200 rpm) and 306 lb.-ft. of torque (@2,000-4,800 rpm). The expected fuel economy numbers are 24/33/27 (RWD), 23/31/26 (AWD) according to the EPA. The 2.0L and 8-speed are a fine pairing. The engine feels lively and responsive (0-60 in 5.1 seconds per Alfa). Gearing in the 8-speed supports the power band nicely. Shift times are quick and crisp, in manumatic mode. Part of the fun has to do with the paddle shifters themselves. Aluminum, and boomerang shaped, they announce themselves from behind the steering wheel, and respond to shift requests with a satisfying click. As I’ve observed in past Alfa tests, the downside to the supersized paddles is twofold. First, they sit directly in the path of the stalks for wipers and blinkers. And, for the enthusiast working through some serious corners, it’s possible that your hands on the wheel won’t always be in range of the paddles, as they would be, if they were attached to the wheel.
Exclusive to the Quadrifoglio is a 2.9L twin-turbo V-6. Ferrari-derived and all-aluminum, the six is packing 505 horsepower (at a high flying 6,500 rpm) and 443 lb.-ft. of torque (@ 2,500-5,500 rpm). The company claims a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds, and a Quadrifoglio posted a 7:32 lap time at the famed Nurburgring race course; fastest ever for a 5-passenger
An agile sedan, with grip, fine balance, responsive steering and strong brakes.