Let me summarise this article for you β βFLABBERGASTING MACHINEβ. A true spectacle to behold. Now thatβs that, moving on with the article.
With the Geneva motor show being canceled so did the launch of many new cars (canceled because of COVID-19). Alfa then decided to go for plan-B and launched the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm online. Sorry to start this article off with some bad news but the rumored circa-600bhp version of the Giulia Quadrifoglio hasnβt been made. It is not all dark though as we see the new Giulia GTA and GTAm return as poster boys bringing back the GTA badge which standsΒ forΒ Gran Turismo Alleggerita or “Grand Touring Lightened” in English. Also, Alfa celebrated its 110thΒ birthday! (whoa thatβs old)
Are you not a mainstream car kinda guy? Do you want a track toy? And most importantly do you have what it takes to maintain the character (of breaking down) of an Alfa? Finally, we have a car for you my friend. A car which will give you all the problems your wife would too but the thing is you will still love it as if it were new each day.
Letβs talk styling and I will use just one word to describe it β βItalianβ. The Giulia in all eyes and angles is a beauty. Complete car p**n if I should say so.
Fuel consumption? Ahh! Who cares? If you do please click away right now lol.
What has changed?
The car has lost some weight not because it has been on a diet but due to the extensive use of carbon fiber. The Giulia GTA has carbon components for the hood, roof, front bumper, and fenders which helps it shed 221 pounds (100 kilograms) off in comparison to the existing Quadrifoglio. All this brings the curb weight to around 1,520 kg. If you’re looking for more (oh sorry I meant less), the company also has the GTAm with just two seats, six-point harnesses, and a roll bar, while remaining fully street legal. Hence, saving even more weight.
Alfa has also improved the GTA’s handling by widening the front and rear track by 50 millimeters. Broader fenders cover the additional width. New springs, shocks, and bushings update the suspension and add to an already sharp car.
On the exterior, the car features an active front splitter that comes from the brand’s relationship with Sauber Engineering. At the back, there is a large diffuser and a big wang *cough cough Civic owners. The combustion gases leave the vehicle through an AkrapoviΔ titanium exhaust with a pair of circular outlets at the center of the revised rear bumper. The hood has also been raised slightly. The sedan rides on 20-inch wheels which bear resemblance to a clover. The GTAm gets a few special pieces (on the exterior) like a sizable front splitter and a carbon fiber rear wing.
The interior layout is the same as that of the Giulia but there is quite an addition over the regular to make you feel even more special driving around in a super sedan. Alfa has covered the GTA’s cabin in Alcantara, including the dashboard, door panels, pillars, and center of the seats. The GTAm takes things to the next level by using carbon fiber seats and covering the empty space in the back with Alcantara. It also has Lexan polycarbonate windows replacing the side and rear glass to reduce weight even further!Β
What about the heart and soul? (Engine and Performance)
The car is powered by an updated version of the Ferrari-derived 2.9 liter 90-degree twin-turbo V6 that now produces 533 horsepower! Thatβs a 28 hp gain over the Quadrifoglio which has 505 hp. That does not seem like a lot of gain but it is enough considering the fact that the car is 100 kilograms lighter than before. Both the cars will do a 0-100 kmph (0-62 mph) sprint in just 3.6 seconds! The car was already agile to begin with and this performance boost is all it needed for the extra icing on the top of the cake. BMW fanboys where ya at?
Bookings and other information
Alfa Romeo has already started advanced bookings and will close them as soon as the 500th unit has been reserved. Yes, you heard me correct – Only 500 of these will be made β It won’t be long until the bookings close because the car seems to generate quite a lot of hype in the market. The first 500 people to place an order for the GTA or the GTAm will get a personalized experience package kit which will include a Bell helmet in a GTA livery, a full racing outfit from Alpinestars (gloves, shoes and race suit) and a personalized Goodwool car cover to keep your special Alfa away and safe from prying eyes when you are not there to protect it. The owners will get to use this gear at a course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.
Alfa is yet to reveal a price for the new GTA and GTAm. Although, we can expect it to be BMW M3 CS levels and not as whacky as the Jaguar XE Project-8. This info about the GTA and GTAm only applies to the European market, currently. It’s not clear whether the company intends to offer these models elsewhere.
You can also check out their teaser video here-
Do you think that Alfa is all set to get back into the game? Also are you interested to book one? And how do you think it compares to the competition? Let me know in the comments.
Mercedes is AMG but Alfa is OMG. Get the joke. eh? (sorry I had to include it π)
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