Alfa Romeo Giulia revealed

A Ferrari-developed twin-turbo V6 engine headlines the unveiling of the Alfa Romeo Giulia.

With 380kW, rear-wheel drive, a 3.9-second 0-100km/h claim and 50:50 weight distribution, the seeming eternity its taken for the Italian brand to return to the 3 Series/C-Class segment has been quite fruitful.

Only the flagship Giulia Quadrofoglio has been released so far, and it is faster than both the M4 and C63 to the benchmark sprint.

The propeller shaft, bonnet and roof are made out of carbonfibre, while the engine, brakes, suspension, doors and wings utilise aluminium. A power-to-weight ratio of “remarkably lower than 3 [kg from every HP]” means that this Italian stallion will wind the scales no further than 1530kg.

While the front suspension is a multi-link set-up unique to the Giulia, the multi-link rear likely pinches bits from the Maserati Ghibli. An adjustable front splitter and torque vectoring system that uses a double clutch to divide power between each rear wheel works in concert with the brand’s established DNA (Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficient and Racing) drive-mode selector.

There is no mention of the Ferrari-developed engine’s capacity yet, or the automatic transmission offered (though it is all but guaranteed to be a nine-speed unit), though a six-speed manual was seen sprouting from the centre console of the display car. However FCA says the donk gets cylinder deactivation tech and will “make that genuine Alfa Romeo sound” (just press play on the video!) while the available auto will deliver “lightning-fast gear shifts”.

The maker also claims to have engineered “the most direct steering on the market”, a body with “the most torsional rigidity in its class” and brakes that deliver “record-breaking stopping distances”.

While the cabin hasn’t yet been detailed, FCA says everything is clean and driver focused, with a slightly undulating dashboard and instruments to, “convey the impression of a tailor-made suit”.

For now we’ll just have to admire (or debate) the exterior. The new rear-driver boasts the longest wheelbase in the class sitting over the most compact of bodies, according to FCA.

The cabin sits well behind a long nose and short front overhang, while the stubby rear is perhaps the only link to the Giulia’s front-drive predecessor, the 159. Proportion, simplicity, and surface quality are claimed to be the three pillars designers have worked with.

Alfa’s rear-drive revival in the medium sedan class will likely arrive here next year.

“I can’t wait to welcome it to Australia,” remarked FCA Australia President and CEO Pat Dougherty. “With a potent blend of performance and style, the Giulia is not just an all-new player in the luxury and sports car segments, but the opening chapter of something truly special for the Alfa Romeo brand globally”.

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