By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 20, 2016) If the Geneva show earlier this month proved one thing it’s that there are more models to Alfa Romeo’s Giulia lineup than just the 510-hp V6-powered Quadrifoglio. When that car debuted nearly 10 months ago, its appearance seemed calculated to raise expectations for the Giulia while hiding the fact that the car’s success would rise or fall on the more prosaic members of the lineup; vehicles that were nowhere to be seen.

Rumors of setbacks, failed crash test, denials of same and more have followed, but Geneva proved there is more to Alfa’s new sedan than what has been shown thus far.

Not that the folks at Alfa were willing to spill the beans on the technical underpinnings of the new sedan. That information will have to wait until closer to launch. However, we do know the BMW 3 Series fighter will be powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline and two versions of a 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. (Despite Alfa’s sporting history, there is no mention as of yet of a manual gearbox option.) The diesel version tips the scales at 3,029 lb., while the potent Quadrifoglio weighs 3,360 pounds.

Lightweight materials are used throughout to keep weight in check. This includes a carbon fiber driveshaft, an aluminum and plastic composite rear crossmember, and aluminum doors, fenders, suspensions, brakes, front and rear subframes, and engines. To this the Quadrifoglio adds a carbon fiber hood, roof panel, front splitter, rear spoiler, body kit, and available carbon fiber seat frames and carbon ceramic brake discs.

The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder producing 200 hp at 5,000 rpm and 243 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,750 rpm. It features electro-hydraulic valve actuators, a twin-scroll turbocharger, and injectors capable of introducing fuel into the cylinders at 2,900 lb./in2.

This engine appears to be a variant of Fiat Chrysler’s new for 2016 aluminum 2.0-liter Hurricane four. An evolution of the World Gas Engine program that supplied DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi with small four-cylinder engines jointly developed in North America, the Hurricane project adds an extensively redesigned cylinder head containing Fiat’s MultiAir2 electro-hydraulic variable valve lift system to the current 160 hp/148 lb.-ft. 2.0-liter motor.

It’s unclear whether Alfa will offer its 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine in the U.S., or just in Europe. The motor features an aluminum block and head, a variable geometry turbocharger, counter-rotating balance shafts, and a MultiJet II injection system with an operating pressure of 29,000 lb./in.2. The milder state of tune produces 150 hp at 4,000 rpm and 280 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm, while the more powerful version pumps out 180 hp @ 3,750 rpm and 332 lb.-ft. at 1,750. Alfa may offer this engine in the U.S. despite the fallout from the VW diesel cheating scandal as upscale buyers have shown a desire for a diesel option.

Only the Quadrifoglio will offer a larger engine. In this case a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with 510 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. Developed in conjunction with Ferrari, this all-aluminum engine has cylinder deactivation to help reduce emissions and fuel use, but is capable of propelling the Giulia from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 190 mph. Should the buying public demand it, it should be possible for Alfa to add lower powered versions of the V6 with 300-400 hp to reduce the size of the step between the base and optional gasoline engines, while broadening the range.

The braking system features an electromechanical braking unit that integrates the stability control unit into the servo to improves responsiveness, reduce ABS pedal vibrations and lower weight. Alfa says cars with standard brake discs will stop from 62 mph in 126 ft., while the Quadrifoglio with ceramic discs reduces this to 105 ft. All versions come with a camera and radar sensors that give forward collision warning capable of detecting vehicles, other obstacles or people in the vehicle’s path. The driver is given an acoustic warning and, if there is no reaction to the threat, the car brakes automatically.


Alfa-Romeo Giulia interior

The DNA (Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficiency) selector adjusts the response of the engine, transmission, suspension, differential, steering, instrument display, drive aids and brakes. To this the Quadrifoglio adds a Race setting, and it works in conjunction with that model’s torque vectoring rear differential. In addition, that model’s Chassis Domain Control (CDC) coordinates the response of the powertrain, suspension, brakes, steering, stability control system, torque vectoring unit and front splitter based on the driver’s demands and the drive mode chosen.

Though not much detail has been released on the suspension and steering systems, the Giulia features a double wishbone front suspension with a semi-virtual steering axis and 11.8:1 steering ratio. It is mated to a four-arm multi-link independent rear suspension with automatic toe control.

Standard safety equipment includes Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Brake with pedestrian protection (AEB) and Lane Departure Warning. Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind-Spot Monitoring are optional. Surprisingly, in an era when the Toyota Corolla and Prius are available with LED headlights, the Giulia comes standard with halogen front lights or optional Xenon units with 25W or 35W lighting modules. Ordering the latter adds adaptive lighting control.

The interior features carbon fiber and wood trim, and a 3.5 or seven-inch color monitor organized into four quadrants whose information changes with the drive mode selected. The 3D navigation unit has an 8.8-in. high resolution screen controlled by a rotary dial or voice command. In fact, there are just two main control knobs, one for the DNA drive mode, the other for the infotainment system. The rest of the main controls are grouped together on the steering wheel for easy access.

The base Giulia has 16-in. alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Alfa’s 6.5-in. Connect infotainment system, and the standard safety system items mentioned above. To this the Giulia Super adds 17-in. wheels, leather and fabric trimmed seats, and special interior trim. In addition, buyers can add the Luxury or Sports Pack. The former adds full-grain leather seating surfaces, powered and heated front seats, wood trim, chrome-effect exterior window trim and the 35W Xenon headlights with adaptive control. The Sports Pack, available on the Super, adds a sports steering column, aluminum trim and Xenon headlights. Both models are available with the 2.0-liter gas or 2.2-liter diesel engines. Sound Theater by Harman Kardon adds a 900W, 12-channel Class D amplifier, Logic 7, 5.1 surround sound and 14 high-end speakers.

In addition to its Ferrari-developed V6, the Quadrifoglio adds 19-in. wheels, standard 35W bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive control, leather and Alcantara sport seats, a sports steering wheel with a red power button, and the Alfa DNA Pro selector with Race mode.

Performance enhancements include uprated brakes, an active aero front splitter, Chassis Domain Control and torque vectoring. Options include ultra-light carbon seats and carbon ceramic disc brakes. The Giulia launches in late summer.

The Virtual Driver