When the 2016 New York International Auto Show officially opens later this week, Alfa Romeo will showcase its full Giulia lineup for the first time in North America.
The high-performance Quadrifoglio model sits at the top of the range with its 505-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, active front splitter, torque vectoring differential, available carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes, and adaptive suspension. (You can read more about it on our sister site, Teamspeed.com.)
Below the Quadrifoglio are the Giulia and Giulia Ti (Turismo Internazionale), both of which feature a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque as standard equipment. That’s mated to a carbon fiber driveshaft, rear-wheel drive, and a shift-by-wire eight-speed automatic co-developed by Alfa and ZF. Downshifts come in less than 100 milliseconds and hitting 60 mph takes less than 5.5 seconds. Flat out, the more sedate Giulias can hit 149 mph.
An optional Q4 all-wheel drive system can direct up to 40 percent of the 2.0’s torque to the rear wheels. No matter the layout, the Alfa DNA drive mode selector offers three modes: gas-saving Advanced Efficiency, comfort-focused Natural, and Dynamic for “sharper brake and steering feel with more aggressive engine, transmission and throttle tip-in calibrations.”
The Giulia’s cockpit features available contrast stitching; trim bezels in aluminum, wood, or carbon fiber; a variety of available driver-assist technologies; and an F1-inspired steering wheel with an integrated red starter button. An all-new widescreen “Alfa-tainment system” is available in 6.5-inch and 8.8-inch sizes. The cabin can be fitted with one of four different trims, such as Dark Gray Oak or brushed aluminum, and one of five seat styles. Up to 13 exterior paint colors and nine wheel designs, from 17 to 19 inches in size, will be available on the outside.
As soon as the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia lineup itself becomes available in the press fleet, we’ll be sure to bring you all our driving impressions.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
