☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema

Alfa Romeo Rolls Out New, Limited-edition Giulia and Stelvio Estrema Models

•Based on the top-of-the line Veloce trim, Estrema models bridge the step to the high-performance Quadrifoglio model with standard adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential

•Unique exterior and interior design include carbon fiber veneer

•Estrema is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with best-in-class standard horsepower at 280, routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard Q4 all-wheel drive on Stelvio Estrema (optional Q4 on Giulia Estrema)

•Estrema is the first globally available limited-edition series from Alfa Romeo

•2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema will be available in the third quarter of 2022

Alfa Romeo introduces the limited-edition Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema series. This new offering is the first time Alfa Romeo has created a globally available limited model.

Engineers started with the premium Veloce trim level and added driving dynamics technology from the high-performance Quadrifoglio model, including standard Alfa Active Suspension. The advanced suspension technology reads the road and quickly adjusts shock valving to deliver greater handling characteristics at speed while maintaining a comfortable ride. The control system acts according to the selected mode on the Alfa Romeo DNA performance switch in the center console. Estrema models benefit from continuous dynamics and weight collaboration with Alfa Romeo's F1 Team ORLEN to get the most out of Formula 1 know-how.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio include standard active cruise control, Active Blind-spot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning with full stop capability. An optional Active Assist Plus package includes: •Driver Attention Alert

•Intelligent Speed Assist

•Highway Assist System

•Lane Keep Assist

•Traffic Sign Recognition

•Traffic Jam Assist

•Active Blind-spot Assist with braking

•Security alarm

The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission are shared with Giulia and Stelvio models. The Estrema adds Alfa Romeo's Q4 all-wheel-drive system standard on the Stelvio and optional on the Giulia. The direct-injection engine delivers best-in-class numbers for a standard powertrain with 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. That output helps deliver quick acceleration times: •Giulia: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds for RWD and 5.1 seconds for AWD

•Stelvio: 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds for AWD

Additional technology the Estrema model shares with the Quadrifoglio includes a limited-slip rear differential, which distributes torque and traction during acceleration.

The Estrema exterior wears a carbon fiber veneer on the grille and mirror caps. Dark 'Estrema' badging hangs on the fenders and rear. The B-pillar and side window trim are covered in gloss black, which blends into the side windows. Alloy wheels (19-inch on Giulia Estrema, 21-inch on Stelvio Estrema) are gloss black. An optional staggered wheel package for the Giulia Estrema adds a wider rear wheel/tire combo for enhanced vehicle dynamics and a unique appearance. Behind the wheels, gloss black colored brake calipers are branded with Alfa Romeo script in white.

The limited-edition Estrema models are available in four colors:

•Alfa White

•Alfa Rosso

•Misano Blue

•Vulcano Black

Estrema includes an interior that tops the range for style and sportiness. Standard leather dash, steering wheel, center armrest, shift lever and upper door panel coverings are laced with red stitching. Carbon fiber accents, similar to the Quadrifoglio trim, cover parts of the dash, doors and center console. Black leather sport seats hold occupants in place when driving the vehicle to its capability.

Both Stelvio and Giulia also include a dual-pane sunroof that allows more natural light. The interior is finished off with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and wireless phone charging.

Ordering for the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema is now open with availability in the third quarter of 2022.

Pricing:

•Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema RWD - $55,090

•Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema AWD - $57,090

•Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema AWD - $58,950

Prices exclude a destination of $1,595

Follow www.alfaromeousa.com for updates on Estrema and other premium automobiles from Alfa Romeo.

Alfa Romeo and Formula 1 Sauber

The Hinwil, Switzerland, headquarters for the Alfa Romeo F1 team is a breeding ground for new technology, which is why the location was chosen for the European debut of the new Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema. The renewed partnership between Alfa Romeo and Sauber Motorsport in July 2021 demonstrates the desire of both parties to improve together. This strategic synergy aims to create an exciting future for the team and the brand. After all, F1 is the laboratory of experimentation for excellence: groundbreaking hybrid strategy, cutting-edge big data, artificial intelligence management and development of next-generation software.

Alfa Romeo

Born in 1910 in Milan, Italy, Alfa Romeo has designed and crafted some of the most stylish and sporty cars in automotive history. That tradition lives on today as Alfa Romeo continues to take a unique and innovative approach to designing automobiles. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio sets a new benchmark in performance, style and technology in an SUV. The award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulia delivers race-inspired performance, advanced technologies and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium midsize sedan segment. The Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio feature 0-60 mph times of 3.8 and 3.6 seconds respectively, and embody Alfa Romeo's 'la meccanica delle emozioni' (the mechanics of emotion) spirit. Alfa Romeo is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

by Alfa Romeo

by Alfa Romeo

A delightfully charismatic car that proved a highly successful seller, the Alfa Romeo Giulia replaced the outgoing Giulietta beginning in 1962. Alfa Romeo produced the Giulia in myriad configurations, some drastically different from other models in the series but all with a unifying thread of polished driving fun.

The name 'Giulietta' means 'little Giulia' in Italian, so the Alfa Giulia title was a play on words identifying the new car as a grown-up version of the Giulietta. The wittiness of Alfa's naming strategy was representative of the Giulia's personality as a whole. The car bristled with clever touches, and was a superb example of world-leading engineering packed into a small and stylish automobile.

The first Giulia sedan, or Berlina, models were introduced in June of 1962 and belonged to the 105 series of Alfa cars. The Berlinas were boxy and fairly conservative in appearance, but their design was nevertheless attractive, modern, and, surprisingly, quite aerodynamic with a coefficient of drag of just 0.33.

Initially, Alfa Romeo offered only the Giulia TI (or Turismo Internationale) to buyers looking to purchase a new Berlina. This model used a 1,570cc version of Alfa's respected twin-cam four, which proved far more tractable than the 1,290cc unit used in the prior Giulietta. The Giulia TI had a 5-speed transmission, albeit with column-mounted shifter, and most were equipped with power disc brakes all around (though the earliest models still used Alfin drums). The TI was an entertaining car to drive with fine handling and a sophisticated demeanor, but details like its drab steering wheel, functional but mundane instruments, and column-mounted shifter did little to inspire owners to wring out the potential of the chassis. Alfa Romeo provided buyers with a Giulia Berlina of more obviously sporting intent by introducing the Giulia Super.

The Super, introduced in 1965, featured twin Weber carburetors to replace the TI's single Solex, and it had a lovely dash with big dials for the speedometer and tachometer. The column shift was replaced by a floor shift, and power was up slightly compared with the TI. Not to be confused with the Super, a truly racy Giulia Berlina derivative called the TI Super was offered for homologation purposes in 1963. With just 501 produced, it was substantially lighter and more powerful than the initial Berlinas.

The last Giulia Berlinas brought to the U.S. came over in 1967, but the charming sedans continued in production throughout other parts of the world. Though Americans were only offered the 1.6-liter engined TI and Super, other countries could also order Giulia Berlinas with 1.3-liter versions of the all-aluminum four. A minor restyling in 1974 saw a name change to Giulia Nuova (or new in English), and there was even a diesel version introduced to some markets for 1976. In the U.S., where the Giulia name disappeared from the market after just a few years, enthusiasts could still purchase what was essentially a Giulia Berlina with larger engine by buying a later 1750 Berlina or 2000 Berlina.

The Giulia Berlina proved that Alfa Romeo could follow up its successful Giulietta Berlina with a worthy replacement that continued to define the term sports sedan as it battled with BMW. The more famous automobiles of the Giulia series, though, were not sedans at all.

Like the Giulietta before it, the Giulia was offered in Sprint (coupe) and Spider (convertible) configurations in addition to the bread-and-butter Berlina models. While the 105-series Giulia sedans offered an all-new car for 1962, the transition from Giulietta Sprint and Spider to Giulia Sprint and Spider was gentler.

The later Giuliettas belonged to the 101-series of Alfa Romeos, and the earliest Giulia Sprints and Spiders also belonged to this series before the coupe and convertible versions of the 105 body were finalized. The transitional 101-series Giulias were essentially Giuliettas with 1,570cc engines installed. The 101 Giulia Sprint looked identical to the 101 Giulietta Sprint, while the 101 Giulia Spider could be distinguished by the raised area of its hood (disguised as a fake hood scoop) needed to clear the slightly taller engine.

In 1963, the 105-series Giulia coupe arrived, named Sprint GT and styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his time at Bertone. The primary features of the chassis, including its disc brakes, front A-arm suspension, and live rear axle, were all shared with the 105 Berlina models as well as the Spider models that were still a few years away. Much like the Berlina, Alfa Romeo sold the Sprint GT in many different trim levels, with both 1.3-liter and 1.6-liter engines, though all U.S. cars used the 1.6-liter engines. Also like the Berlina, production of what was essentially still the Giulia Sprint continued even after the Giulia title was dropped.

In the United States, the Sprint GT became the Sprint GTV in 1967. Alfa Romeo did not import cars to the U.S. for 1968, but in 1969 the importation of a lightly restyled Giulia coupe continued as the 1750 GTV and later 2000 GTV.

In addition to the regular production versions of the Giulia Sprint, several specialty models were produced. About 1,000 examples of a Sprint-based cabriolet with four seats, called the Giulia GTC, were produced by Touring beginning in 1965 before the two-seat 105 Spider was introduced. For the track, Zagato created highly successful racing cars with the 105-series platform by building the tube-framed TZ (Tubolare Zagato) and later TZ2 with its fiberglass body.

The TZ and TZ2 were excellent racers with stunning and low-slung bodies, but perhaps even more remarkable than these purpose-built racing machines was the GTA, which was almost identical in appearance to the Sprint GT yet proved itself as one of the most successful sports cars raced during its time. The GTA used lightweight aluminum body panels, twin sparkplugs per cylinder, a higher compression ratio, and bigger Weber carburetors to create a supremely capable vehicle. The Giulia GTA won the European Touring Car Championship in 1966, 1967, and 1968. Variations of the GTA included a smaller-engined 1300 GTA and the later GTAm, which had a downright frightening appearance thanks to its menacing fender flares and fat tires.

The Spider version of the 105-chassis finally arrived in 1966, with somewhat controversial styling by Pininfarina. Never officially labeled a Giulia, the Spider was the longest-running model of the 105-series despite its late start. Incredibly, Spider production didn't end until 1993.

It can be difficult to keep track of all of the different Giulia models and 105-series derivations. Open and closed cars, two-doors and four-doors, bodies made of steel, aluminum, and even fiberglass, designs from Bertone, Pininfarina, Touring, Zagato, and Alfa Romeo itself—clearly, the Giulia's history was rich and complicated, full of superb family sedans and successful racing cars. All of these disparate models had something in common, though: they were pure, honest, unfettered Alfa Romeos. And they were some of the finest and most successful postwar cars, both on track and in the showroom, that the company ever produced.

Sources:

'Alfa Romeo models.' CarsfromItaly.net n. pag. Web. 21 Dec 2010. http://carsfromitaly.net/fiat/index.html.

Benson, Joe. Illustrated Alfa Romeo Buyer's Guide . 2nd. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing Company, 1992. Print.

Braden, Pat. Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible. Cambridge, MA: Bentley Publishers, 1994. Print.

by Evan Acuña

The first generation of the Giulia, also known as the 105 series, was introduced at the Monaz Autodrome in the early 1960s. The vehicles shared the same bodies as the vehicles they were replacing, the Giulietta. Power came from 1570 cc 4-cylinder engines using hemispheric combustion chambers and producing over 90 horsepower. The five-speed manual gearbox was operated by a column-mounted shift. The suspension was modified in the rear to improve handling but remained the same in the front.

Just like the Giulietta series, the Giulia came in multiple body-styles including the four-door Berlina, spider, TZ, sprint, and Sprint Speciale.

With racing in mind, Alfa Romeo designed and built the TZ series. The TZ, meaning Tubolare Zagato, was outfitted with a light alloy body, tubular frame, disc brakes, and independent suspension. The performance of the vehicle was amplified by its light body and responsive and effective handling. The large disc brakes provided excellent stopping power.

In 1963 the Giulia TI Super was introduced as a low production specialty model. With only 500 examples produced, its exclusivity is secure. Outfitted with a 112 horsepower engine, large disc brakes, and floor-mounted shift, this vehicle was a performance machine.

In 1963 all models received disc brakes standard on all four wheels. Power was increased in 1965 with the introduction of the 98 horsepower Giulia Super. Externally and internally, the design was slightly modified throughout the years.

The Giulia is credited with expanding international sales of the Alfa Romeo product. Like its predecessor the Giulietta, the vehicle was available in multiple body styles and configurations. Part of its success was the economical aspects, versatility, and styling.

by Dan Vaughan