Italian flair and character trump overengineering every time.
8
Italian flair and character trump overengineering every time.
The essence of an analogue soul lives in the experience, and the Giulia Quadrifoglio hosts a character that allows you to forge a genuine connection. It’s a familiar front-engined, rear-wheel-drive formula, but its execution is anything but conventional. It is not a track rocket obsessed with clinical precision or perfect handling design; in fact, it embodies the antithesis of that idea, in the best way possible.
It approaches apexes with its elbows out and its fingers pinched. ‘Flair’, ‘personality’, and ‘seat-of-your-pants’ driving best sum it up. It’s not a lap-time-chasing machine but a thrill-seeker, motivated less by data and more by emotion. This is Italian boisterousness at its finest, unapologetic and completely unfiltered, with Ferrari expertise turning up the emotional factor.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Q returns with not much more than new lights, some added carbon fibre on its exterior, and a mechanical limited-slip differential to replace its formerly electronically controlled one. But the Giulia Q retains exactly what made us fall head over heels in the first place. It’s a proper handful to drive with a Ferrari-tweaked V6 and a reminder that old-school comes with a caution sticker.
At the heart of the hyperactive Giulia is the twin-turbocharged V6, delivering a highly strung 375kW of power and 600Nm of torque. It is intent on getting the back out and ensuring that the tyres make the most of the road’s full width. On track, it isn’t as terrifying as it sounds. Yes, it’s lively and challenging when you’re committed to pushing its limits, but it’s a playful sedan that, just as it seems ready to scare you, regains some of that composure.
On the twisty Van Stadens Pass, a ribbon of road that plunges down a mountainside which requires patience on the throttle, forward-thinking to avoid over compression, and a generally cautious approach, the Giulia didn’t care much for caution. It will happily fishtail its way down the straights, squirm as you stand on the brakes, and prod you to ignore any self-preservation instincts, all the while barking at you as you swap gears.
It represents the very best from Alfa Romeo. Its engine delivers a deep baritone with that fundamental Italian know-how, and there’s no hiding that DNA. Seat comfort was never the priority and the cabin isn’t plush, that was never the point. Nor is the car motivated by lap times. It’s entirely geared toward provoking emotion… as an Alfa should.
Open the door, and you are greeted with an older interior packed with more carbon fibre, a slow infotainment system, and an exhaust note that only perks up when the safety stuff is switched off. The addition of carbon-backed seats immediately signals the car’s Italian performance pedigree, if not exactly comfort.
The bold, red start button adds a touch of ‘super’ to this sports car, surrounded by the largest and, in my opinion, coolest paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. DNA is the naming convention for the Giulia’s driving modes, D (Dynamic), N (Natural) and A (Advanced Efficiency). Dynamic mode opens the valves past 3,000r/min, but keep the pressure on the dial, and mayhem commences. It’s called Race Mode, which opens the valves and switches everything but ABS off.
Interacting with the dated infotainment system is nostalgic, with its small screen and a dated interface design. But the Giulia makes a point of focusing on the driving experience, so a dated screen and pairing system are excusable.
Priced at R2,039,900, the Giulia Quadrifoglio inserts itself into the BMW M3 Competition and Mercedes-AMG C63 conversation. On the surface, R2m seems like a heavy bill, but it doesn’t leave as much of a dent in your pocket as its competitors. It’s R200k cheaper than the M3 and R400k less than the C-Class, though I must mention that both competitors are now all-wheel-drive. If lap times matter, the Giulia is on the back foot. But in enjoyment and thrills, it makes a strong argument.
It’s all about the character, the gorgeous, unassuming styling and the pure, unadulterated Italian temperament. You don’t get out, pulse drumming, praising its competence or pinpoint accuracy as you would after driving a C63 or M3. It exists to terrify 99% of drivers into a misstep or a terrified, low-key drive home. It’s angry, fierce and utterly over the top, in that Alfa way. And that is the entire point of this car. PS. Alfa, you killed it with the decals.
Get TopGear SA news and reviews in your inbox
