Alfa’s 2026 Giulia Quadrifoglio Is Over A Decade Old And Still Out-Handles A New M3

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The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has all the time executed issues a bit of in a different way. It arrived in 2015, shortly after BMW rolled out the F80-generation M3, packing an Italian-built, Ferrari-derived V6 that walked away from the Bimmer on output and put the Alfa in a fairer struggle with the twin-turbo V8 within the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S of the period.

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It has additionally all the time been a efficiency automobile which exudes ardour, sporting a design the German competitors has by no means fairly matched, however even when it was new, it by no means bought in the identical form of numbers because the M3 or the C 63, regardless of its brilliance.

QUICK FACTS

So much has modified within the 11 years for the reason that Giulia Quadrifoglio’s debut, together with BMW launching the favored G80 M3 and Mercedes-AMG turning the C 63 right into a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder. By each conventional measure, it’s outdated, particularly in a market that develops as rapidly as this one. Alfa Romeo had deliberate to kill off the automobile final 12 months, however modified its thoughts and can proceed promoting it via subsequent 12 months.

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Eager to see whether or not the flagship Giulia nonetheless is smart or is beginning to really feel like a relic, we not too long ago frolicked with the 2026 mannequin. For as wonderful as it’s, it’s not fairly the identical proposition it was when it first hit the market.

Frozen In 2015

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Aside from a minor midlife facelift, only a few updates have been made to the Giulia because it hit the market. The Quadrifoglio continues to make use of the identical fabled 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6, positioned beneath the identical shapely, light-weight carbon-fiber hood it’s all the time had.

In Australia, the place we carried out this assessment, the range-topping Giulia begins at AU$156,990 (US$112,000) excluding on-road prices, or a contact over AU$170,000 (US$121,000) together with all charges. Sadly for our US readers, native gross sales of each the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio fashions resulted in mid-2024, so potential house owners must take a look at the used automobile market.

By Alfa Romeo requirements, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is awfully costly, however it’s less expensive than the competitors. For instance, Aussies might want to fork over at the least AU$190,888 (US$136,300) for an entry-level BMW M3 with rear-wheel drive and the lower-spec engine, or AU$210,291 (US$150,200) for the M3 Competition xDrive. The supremely unpopular Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance is much more costly, costing AU$218,644 (US$156,100), together with charges. Compared to that automobile, the Alfa Romeo looks like a little bit of a discount.

An Interior Out Of Its Depth

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

While the outside of the Alfa Romeo has aged gracefully over the previous decade, the cabin is displaying its age. Visually, the design and format are fairly good, however the know-how and the standard of the supplies are far behind the BMW and Mercedes.

Perhaps the cabin spotlight is the 12.3-inch infotainment show, which, in contrast to so many different new vehicles available on the market, isn’t only a rectangle. Instead, it’s arrange like an analog cluster, even surrounded by a conventional shroud, eliminating any undesirable reflections and solar glare.

While the display is good, the software program used leaves a bit of to be desired. There are a handful of various shows that adjust by drive mode, however I want to see extra customization choices. Similarly, the 8.8-inch infotainment display is fairly primary, though it’s clear and the menus are straightforward to comply with.

Then there’s the general low cost feeling of the inside. The plastic climate-control dials and vents are funds specials, as are the gear selector and the bodily controls for the infotainment display. While I did admire the uncooked carbon fiber on elements just like the door panels and transmission tunnel, nothing concerning the Alfa Romeo’s inside feels as particular or as premium as a G80 M3.

Thankfully, my Montreal Green take a look at automobile didn’t undergo from any of the identical audio points I skilled a few years in the past. There’s additionally so much to love concerning the automobile’s inside, most notably the Alcantara accents on the steering wheel and the excellent aluminum paddle shifters. The driving place can be spot-on, though I’d like to see Alfa Romeo providing the extra hardcore bucket seats of the GTA and GTAm fashions on the common automobile.

Viewed in isolation, the inside of the Giulia Quadrifoglio can be first rate sufficient for a car costing round AU$60,000, however for one at this worth level, particularly when in comparison with an M3 or C 63 S, it’s barely satisfactory. Fortunately, anybody who has had the pleasure of driving this automobile will perceive that any qualms concerning the cabin fade into insignificance while you begin driving.

The Engine Is Still The Main Event

The 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 powering this beast has all the time been implausible, and it stays so. Obviously, it’s far more evocative than the turbo-four of the C 63 S, and is extra characterful than the M3’s inline-six.

With 375 kW (503 hp) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm), the Giulia Quadrifoglio nonetheless manages to largely match an M3 Competition, regardless of the engine being greater than a decade outdated. Coupled to an eight-speed computerized transmission that drives the rear wheels, it’s arduous to think about a powertrain mixture that’s extra thrilling than this one.

This factor is completely speedy, to the purpose the place it might probably really feel a bit of scary, notably when driving it within the depths of winter with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. Unlike the competitors, there’s no fancy all-wheel drive system right here, so that you do must handle throttle inputs when driving in Race mode, because it turns off each the traction management and stability management methods.

The final Giulia Quadrifoglio I examined had Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, which instilled rather more confidence than these Pirellis. At instances, the Pirelli rubber would stick into the pavement, firing me off into the gap, whereas on different events, the Alfa Romeo struggled to place its energy to the bottom via the primary two gears. With this in thoughts, I didn’t drive in Race mode all that usually, which was a disgrace, as that’s the one mode the place the exhaust flaps stay open on a regular basis.

Alfa Romeo quotes a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of three.9 seconds. I wasn’t capable of confirm that point, however I’ve little question it’s achievable on a grippy piece of pavement.

The transmission is a wonderful companion to the V6, offering fast adjustments while you want them. However, regardless of being a conventional torque converter, it may be fairly tough and jerky when becoming first and at low speeds utilizing the guide mode, identical to a dual-clutch. It is barely smoother when left in computerized mode.

The M3 Wins The Drag Race, The Alfa Wins The Corner

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

In a straight line, an M3 with all-wheel drive will stroll a Giulia Quadrifoglio. However, the place the Alfa Romeo nonetheless seems like a category chief is within the dealing with division.

The first a part of the recipe is the steering. The automobile has an ultra-quick steering ratio of 11.8:1, which works out to 2.3 turns lock-to-lock. It takes a little bit of getting used to, as simply small steering inputs have a big effect on how a lot the automobile turns. On a mountain street that’s a present. On a freeway it means resisting the urge to fidget with the wheel.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Feedback via the steering wheel is nice, however not wonderful, as it might probably really feel a bit of obscure. Countering this are excellent ranges of grip at each the entrance and rear axles, and a impartial steadiness and light-weight really feel that the competitors nonetheless can’t fairly replicate.

The brakes are additionally wonderful, offering immense preliminary chew and by no means present any indicators of stress, regardless of how a lot we pushed them. Annoyingly, the brakes on our tester squealed so much at low speeds, though there gave the impression to be loads of pad materials left. Further boosting the package deal are the lively dampers, which give completely different consolation ranges throughout the Normal, Dynamic, and Race driving modes. Even with the firmest setting, they’re compliant sufficient for every day use.

Verdict

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio isn’t the most suitable choice for these out there for a high-end sports activities sedan, because the G80 M3 nonetheless holds that crown. Yes, it’s costlier, however it does justify the upper price ticket with a a lot better cabin, larger construct high quality, and confirmed reliability, one thing which isn’t a powerful swimsuit of any Alfa Romeo.

With that mentioned, the Giulia stays a significantly spectacular package deal and nonetheless feels related regardless of its age. I most likely wouldn’t purchase one if I used to be out there for a high-po sedan, however I wouldn’t blame anybody who does.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

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