Alfa Romeo Just Killed the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglios
There are some big changes coming to the Alfa Romeo lineup. To start with, its cutting the “Quadrifoglio” performance trims of both its Giulia sports sedan and Stelvio crossover. Shortly after, the Alfa lineup will be moving over to new electric/hybrid chassis.
In both Giulia and Stelvio models, the Quadrifoglio trim featured a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 500+ horsepower. Those aren’t hellcat numbers, but with the Giulia Quadrifoglio weighing in at just 1,700 pounds, that’s plenty of pizazz.
But as of February, the brass at Alfa Romeo confirmed that it won’t build the V6 Quadrifoglio after June, 2024. The good news–according to Alfa Romeo’s Jean-Philippe Imparto–is that a future incarnation of the Giulia Quadrifoglio will make 1,000 horsepower. For petrolheads, the bad news is that it will use an EV powertrain to get there.
Alfa Romeo’s parent company, Stellantis, is eager to migrate its vehicles to four common chassis with EV or hybrid powertrains. The Giulia will share the “STLA Large” chassis with the new Dodge Charger Daytona and electric Jeep Wagoneer S. Like with the 2024 Charger, I expect that lower trim Giulias will have a mild-hybrid or fully hybrid internal combustion powertrain (making a mere 350 horsepower). As you move into electric, you’ll bump up to 800 horsepower. And the top-trim Quadrifoglio will boast that 1,000 horsepower number.
Obviously, Stellantis is leaning on all its brands to go electric ASAP. But this poses a bit of a problem for Alfa Romeo. Dodge already makes heavy cars with big power numbers, so an even heavier EV that makes 1,000 horsepower somehow fits its philosophy. But with lithium ion batteries, EVs are rarely nimble. And the way Alfa Romeo has differentiated itself from the German competition is cutting weight for better handling dynamics. Imparto is well aware of this Catch-22.
“I don’t want you to suffer inconvenience from switching to EV. The question for me is not whether to switch to EV, it’s to get the right handling and agility.”
Jean-Philippe Imparto interview with Top Gear
And of course Alfa Romeo already has a name for its electric sports car design philosophy: Electroleggera. Perfetta!
You can watch Jeremy Clarkson’s review of the V6 Giulia Quadrifoglio in the video below:
