The Evolution of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
In 1962, Alfa Romeo introduced the Giulia Quadrifoglio model for the first time at the Monza race.
The new Alfa Romeo sedan featured an aerodynamic design with a curved windshield and round headlights. It was powered by a 1.6-liter engine producing 92 horsepower, with a top speed of 102 mph. The Giulia Berlina had both front and rear seats, accommodating up to six people, with ample legroom and a rear armrest.
This car was available in two versions: TI and TI Super, and it began receiving updates in 1970, including larger engines and revised gearing ratios. Production of the Giulia Berlina was gradually phased out by 1978.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe 1300 GTA Junior 1965 – 1972
Following the success of the Giulia model, with around 180,000 units sold, Alfa Romeo decided to release a new version under the same name.
Initially designed as a sporty sedan, Alfa Romeo’s motorsport division, Auto Delta, recognized its potential as a race car, prompting the company to convert it into a coupe. The Bertone factory worked on the Giulia platform, redesigning its structure to appear completely different from the sedan version.
Only the headlights remained similar to the sedan, but most cars at the time featured round headlights. The Giulia Quadrifoglio Coupe’s sloping lines and three-box design made it an ideal starting point for Autodelta to create a racing car. They replaced the body panels with aluminum, reduced the thickness of the internal metal parts, and added a large speedometer and a tachometer.
Instead of the standard 1.3-liter engine, Alfa Romeo fitted a 1.3-liter engine developed by Autodelta, based on a larger 1.6-liter unit. Italian engineers shortened the piston stroke, enhancing the engine’s ability to rev faster.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2016
The 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio marked the return of rear-wheel drive sedans for the Italian automaker.
It was part of a complex program that led to a major shift in the company’s entire lineup. It became a true competitor to high-end German cars.
Italian cars have always been known for their appearance, and with few exceptions, they were all well-designed. Unfortunately, the shift to front-wheel drive was a good idea for mass-market cars, but not for the premium sector. With the introduction of the 2016 Giulia, Alfa Romeo revolutionized its lineup.
One of its key advantages was its exterior design, featuring a large triangular shield at the front, surrounded by two lower grilles in the apron. Thanks to the narrow, “angry” headlights that slant backward over the front fenders, the design exuded a dynamic character. The long, short hood design, along with the narrow front, became the inspiration for a sporty sedan.
Inside, the Giulia boasted one of the best cabin designs in its class. It seamlessly integrated an infotainment screen with the instrument cluster. It didn’t appear as a tablet mounted above the center stack, and the front seats, designed for performance, provided excellent support during fast cornering.
There was ample space in the rear for two adults to sit comfortably, or three if they were very close friends. The large transmission tunnel was distracting in the cabin.
Alfa Romeo installed either a 2.0-liter gasoline engine or a 2.2-liter diesel engine under the hood. Both were turbocharged and available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, offering either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Emblem and Strong Connection to Milan
The close relationship between Alfa Romeo and the city of Milan is a cornerstone of the brand’s global identity. The emblem was inspired by an idea presented by the young artist Romano Cattaneo, who was a close friend of Giuseppe Merosi. While waiting for tram number 14 in Castello Square, Cattaneo noticed the “Visconti Dragon” sculpture on top of the main tower at Sforza Castle. He was struck by the idea immediately but felt something was missing.
Cattaneo and Merosi worked together to create different versions of the emblem until they selected the most impactful design. The final logo featured the Visconti Dragon on one side and the red cross of the city of Milan on a white background on the other.
Choosing the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio as the Best Exciting Performance Car
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio continues its legendary history, standing the test of time. For the second consecutive year, this car, embodying the best aspects of the brand’s sporting style, was awarded the title of Best Exciting Performance Car by the UK’s leading automotive magazine, What Car?.
Since its debut in 2015, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has set a high standard in the sports sedan category, thanks to its perfect combination of power and technology. The car is equipped with a 2.9-liter 6-cylinder engine producing 510 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque, with a powerband ranging from 2500 to 5000 RPM.
Alfa Romeo’s victory coincided with the centenary of the Quadrifoglio emblem in 2023, marking a perfect timing that highlights the emblem’s historical connection to racing cars.
