If you’re in the market for a performance car that can be used and enjoyed on a daily basis, it’s hard to beat Alfa Romeo’s Quadrifoglio models – the Giulia and Stelvio.
Famed for their thrills, handling and exhilarating handling, they’ve helped to attract plenty of performance car fans to the Alfa Romeo brand.
But now Alfa Romeo is marking 100 years of Quadrifoglio with new special edition versions, bringing a range of advancements to mark the occasion. Let’s take a quick look back at the history of Quadrifoglio, and delve into what’s new about these special edition cars.
History of Quadrifoglio
Quadrifoglio has been a part of Alfa Romeo’s history since the beginning. Dating back to April 15, 1923, when the firm developed a specific version of its RL for the Targa Florio race. The Italian firm would win the event with driver Ugo Sivocci at the wheel, with his skill and good fortune enabling the Alfa Romeo to dominate.
It was the Quadrifoglio symbol, meaning four-leaf clover, that was used as a good luck charm on the race car, and would go on to be used in various Alfa Romeo racing cars, and then onto racing models over the next 100 years. .
Quadrifoglio 100th Anniversario models: What’s new?
More power
The regular Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models are hardly lacking when it comes to performance, with each car using a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6. But various tweaks now mean that the engine produces 513bhp – 10bhp more than the regular cars.
Another feature is a new mechanical self-locking differential, which is a first for the Quadrifoglio, and uses the experience from the Giulia GTA to improve traction, stability, agility and the speed that can be carried through corners.
Further carbon detailing
Alfa Romeo has also given the two cars more carbon detailing to maximise the use of this lightweight material.
It’s used on areas such as the bonnet, spoiler and side skirts, while the Giulia also features a carbon front splitter. An Akrapovic exhaust system is also fitted to provide a more aggressive sound.
Gold detailing
The colour gold is used for a range of details all around these two special editions, including most prominently on the brake callipers, which contrast with the grey 19-inch alloy wheels on the Giulia and 21-inch rims on the Stelvio.
Three colours are available – Rosso Etna (red), Verde Montreal (green) and Nero Vulcano (black), while the gold theme continues to the interior, as it’s used for the contrast stitching on the black leather and Alcantara seats. Gold Quadrifoglio badges are also used throughout.
Model year changes
Following model year changes to the regular Giulia and Stelvio, these have now been applied to the Quadrifoglio models. Key changes include new Matrix LED headlights that boast a ‘3+3’ pattern, similar to those of past Alfa Romeos.
There’s also a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, bringing specific displays and configurations. For the Quadrifoglio, there’s also a specific ‘Race’ display.
Just 100 examples will be produced per model. UK pricing is yet to be confirmed.
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