Geneva reveals for Alfa Romeo’s F1-inspired Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio special editions
‘Alfa Romeo Racing’ models feature carbon upgrades, a mild power boost and some weight-saving measures
Along with the surprise reveal of its new Tonale compact SUV in Geneva Alfa Romeo also revealed new ‘Alfa Romeo Racing’ special editions of its Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio models. To mark the arrival of Antonio Giovinazzi on its Formula 1 team’s driver roster, and to celebrate the brand’s extensive racing history as a whole the two special editions feature an array of updates over their standard counterparts.
Complete with livery matching that found on Alfa’s 2019 C38 F1 car, both the special edition road cars receive a specially tuned titanium Akrapovič exhaust system to let the 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder powerplant breathe more freely (and, we assume, more noisily). Also fitted are red brake calipers, carbonfibre mirror caps and side skirts, tinted windows, carbonfibre inserts on the steering wheel and gear selector, and a badge stamped with the Alfa Romeo Racing logo. Meanwhile the carbon-shelled Sparco racing seats get red stitching details, and on the Giulia you’ll also find an exposed carbonfibre roof and carbon kick plates.
> Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio review
The models promise a marginally lighter kerb weight – down by 28kgs –compared with their standard counterparts, because as well as the various lightweight carbonfibre components and the lighter exhaust system, the cars also get carbon-ceramic brake discs, reducing unsprung weight. The Quadrifoglios also feature a very mild power increase – up 10bhp to 513bhp – although Alfa has yet to make any increased performance claims other than saying their ‘excellent dynamic qualities’ have been ‘enhanced’.
The special editions will also receive the brand’s usually optional Adaptive Cruise Control function and Harman Kardon sound system as standard.
There will also be a special edition within the ‘Alfa Romeo Racing’ special edition as ten Stelvio and ten Giulia Quadrifoglio customers will be able to buy a car that honours one of Alfa Romeo’s ten F1 victories. Each example will bear a dedicated badge bearing the name of a Grand Prix won by Alfa Romeo and the corresponding year. The pricing of such exclusivity has yet to be revealed.