"Veloce" is a glorious name that is evocative of the Alfa Romeo tradition, established in 1956 with the Giulietta model and ever since illuminating the brand's outstandingly sporting and original versions. Today, the name Veloce glorifies another Giulia, to satisfy the needs of customers yearning for contents packed with personality.

Distinctive style and exclusive equipment
The exterior of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce stands out both for its refined styling features, such as the specific bumpers and glossy black door trim, as well as for various sports contents such as the special rear extractor which incorporates a double exhaust pipe and the optional 5-hole 19" alloy wheel rims. The same sporty feel reigns inside, where new black leather Sport seats dominate, plus a sports steering wheel with an original grip, aluminium inserts on the dashboard, central tunnel, door panels and Xenon headlights.

This distinctive interior and exterior style houses a wealth of standard equipment, including dual-zone climate control, the Alfa DNA system and 6.5" Connect infotainment system, as well as the new efficient active safety systems such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) and pedestrian recognition, the Integrated Brake System (IBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and cruise control with speed limiter.

Two new engine versions
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce heralds the début of the new 2-litre petrol engine - a 4-cylinder engine made entirely of aluminium - which generates 280 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 400Nm at 2,250 rpm. In addition to the MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve activation system, the particular features of this engine include the "2-in-1" " turbocharger system and direct injection with a 200-bar high pressure system which combine to deliver a particularly quick response to accelerator commands at all speeds while permitting highly efficient consumption levels.

Alternatively, the Giulia Veloce can be fitted with the new 2.2-litre Diesel engine which develops a maximum power of 210 HP at 3,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 470 Nm at 1,750 rpm. A special note: the 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine on the Giulia is the first diesel engine in Alfa Romeo history to have been built entirely in aluminium. With four cylinders in line, this engine stands out for its latest-generation injection system with MultiJet II technology and Injection Rate Shaping (IRS), along with operating pressures of 2,000 bar. The electrically-operated variable geometry turbocharger offers state-of-the-art mechanics and minimises response times while also guaranteeing benefits in terms of efficiency. The most sophisticated driving satisfaction and comfort levels are also guaranteed by the use of a balancing countershaft.

Both the new Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce models come with 8-speed automatic transmission and are powered by engines made in Italy in the plants in Termoli (petrol) and Pratola Serra (diesel), in areas dedicated exclusively to Alfa Romeo engines, using state-of-the-art processes and methods which place them at the top of their categories for performance and efficiency.

What's more, the innovative "AE" - Advanced Efficiency - version will soon be available. Distinguished by a specific badge on the tailgate, this version - which is available on the Giulia and Giulia Super trim levels, is based on the 180 HP 2.2-litre Diesel engine with 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Advanced Efficiency variant achieves extraordinary results in terms of fuel consumption and emission levels: 4.2 l/100 km and just 99 g/km of CO2 in the combined cycle.

These results are obtained thanks to specific technical solutions, through the implementation of a low-pressure EGR valve that improves engine efficiency, an air-water intercooler, a secondary engine cooling circuit in addition to the primary circuit, and specific gearbox ratios. On top of this, thanks to a reduction of approximately 5 millimetres in the height of the car body and to exclusive, specifically-designed alloy wheel rims, the CX has been reduced to 0.23 for improved aerodynamic efficiency. Last but by no means least, the Giulia "AE" Advanced Efficiency is fitted with specific 205/60 R16 tyres for reduced rolling resistance.

The effects of these innovations can be seen in the overall performance of the engine, starting at low revs, with prejudice to its outstanding performance levels: a top speed of 230 km/h and 7.2" to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h.

Four-wheel drive with Q4 technology
The new Giulia Veloce offers the début of the innovative all-wheel drive system with Q4 technology, designed to handle vehicle traction in real time, and to guarantee outstanding levels of performance, efficiency and safety.

The architecture of the Q4 system fitted on the Giulia Veloce includes an active transfer case and a front differential designed to accommodate the specific technical requirements of Alfa Romeo, in order to handle a high torque extremely promptly with a particularly compact and light-weight design (the increase in weight is just around 60 kg). The transfer case uses advanced active clutch technology that provides extremely dynamic driving while at the same time guaranteeing reduced fuel consumption. Speedy response and accurate torque distribution are guaranteed by the Next-Gen integrated actuator, depending on the drive mode selected on Alfa DNA.

In particular, the Q4 system continuously monitors multiple parameters to guarantee optimum torque distribution between the two axles depending on how the car is used and on the available road surface grip. This technology is capable of foreseeing loss in wheel adherence, relying on the information gathered by the lateral and longitudinal acceleration sensors, and by steering wheel angle and vehicle yaw speed sensors. Under normal conditions, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce with Q4 system behaves like a rear-drive vehicle: 100% of torque is distributed to the rear axle. As it reaches the wheel adherence limit, the system transfers up to 60% of the drive torque to the front axle in real time, thanks to a dedicated transfer case. To ensure maximum speed of response in re-distributing torque, the system exploits a high mechanical over slippage (up to 2.5%) between the two axles, which translates into segment-beating vehicle control in terms of traction and directional stability on bends.

The Q4 system on the new Giulia Veloce therefore provides all the benefits of all-wheel drive - in terms of stability, traction and safety - while also guaranteeing reduced fuel consumption, extra responsiveness and all the driving satisfaction of a car with rear-wheel drive.

All the strengths of the Giulia model
The new Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce confirms all the particular features of the model which has launched the come-back of the Italian brand to this major segment. First of all, a distinctly Italian design that is expressed through a sense of proportion and simplicity plus quality surfaces framing the driver and placing him boldly centre stage. In addition, the choice of rear-wheel drive - and now also the Q4 all-wheel drive system - is more than a simple tribute to the most authentic roots of the Alfa Romeo legend: it is also a technical solution which delivers high performance, deep pleasures and supreme driving sensations.

Further particularities of the Giulia include the outstanding weight distribution across the two axles, the sophisticated suspension (Alfa Rome patent) and the most direct steering in its segment. In addition, the Alfa Romeo Giulia combines extraordinary engine performance with ample use of ultralight materials, like carbon fibre, aluminium, aluminium composite and plastic, in order to obtain the best weight-to-power ratio (less than 3 in the Quadrifoglio version).

In keeping with Alfa Romeo traditions, the new Giulia offers unique technical solutions that make it the benchmark for its segment. The more sophisticated features include the Integrated Brake System (IBS) for considerably reducing braking distance, and active suspension for exceptional comfort. Exclusive to the Quadrifoglio version, the Torque Vectoring technology affords outstanding torque distribution between the two wheels on the rear axle, and the Active Aero Splitter actively controls downforce at high speed.

with prejudice to its outstanding performance levels: a top speed of 230 km/h and 7.2" to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h.

The kicker for Car And Driver’s 10,000 mile check-in report for its Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio long-term loan reads: “When we have it, we love driving it. We just wish we had it more.” It perfectly represents the disappointment of having such a fun new car plagued with so many problems, but who is surprised?

Car And Driver is not surprised. As pointed out in the magazine’s latest follow up, they were already having issues with the Giulia pretty much as soon as they got it. According to the July article, a warning light for the electronic throttle control lit up at around 2,400 miles, quickly followed by a check engine light. Then the same warning lights lit up again at 4,100 miles during track testing.

That issue was supposedly fixed after the dealer replaced the fuel pump under warranty at around 5,040 miles on the odometer, and the car didn’t have any other issue. That is until it went in for its first regular service at 10,021 miles. Here’s what happened, according to Car And Driver:

While it’s definitely unusual to have to replace a brand new car’s differential, this is a test car, so who knows how much abuse it had taken. Anyway, it isn’t necessarily a big deal to take care of for a dealer. And then:

One technician? How busy could he be? Well it’s Alfa Romeo, so this is how busy:

Car And Driver have only had the Giulia for five months, a full month of which was spent waiting around for the sole Alfa technician’s schedule to open up and replace a differential after just 10,000 miles. Incredible.

And that’s not all! The magazine also reported it had to replace the front-right tire on the car after a bubble popped up in the sidewall, at a cost of $275. A rock also cracked the windshield, which was further $1,209 repair, and the diff replacement was ultimately only $169 for the regular service, since it was done under warranty.

Car And Driver has reported issues with its short term test Giulia in the past as well, and we had our own bout of issues when we tested the car last year, when Alfa had to take the car back to Michigan to diagnose and fix its issues. Consumer Reports, Motor Trend, and more have also reported numerous issues with Giuia Quad test cars.

The lesson here is not that the Giulia Quadrifoglio is a bad car. Car And Driver wrote that it’s a hoot to drive when you commit to it, and when it isn’t committed to failing. We also loved the crap out of driving it, while we had it. The lesson is to do just that. Get the car, GET THE WARRANTY, and enjoy as much of it as you can while you can, and then try to get rid of it, probably.

I have a feeling Car And Driver’s next long-term check in will be just as juicy on failings, and I wish them all the best at getting some quality seat time out of it before it happens again.

The 'Alfa Romeo Racing' Giulia and Stelvio get garish decals and coloured tyres

Meet the ‘Alfa Romeo Racing’ Giulia and Stelvio. Before you get all worked up anticipating some kind of slidey (and incredibly stylish) one-make series, then you need to know these are special editions of the road cars.

Thus the 503bhp Quadrifoglio versions of Alfa’s saloon and SUV receive a really quite bold livery that mimics the Alfa Romeo Sauber Formula 1 car, with red decals placed upon white paint in a blink-and-you-won’t-miss-it way.

Indeed, the Alfa Romeo serpent makes three separate appearances on each car – once on the bonnet and on both rear pillars – while the tyres comes with yellow Pirelli script. Yikes.

Good job there’s performance to back up the not-at-all subtle motorsport hints, though no more than normal; luckily we don’t mind too much when the regular Giulia and Stelvio drive so well and make such a naughty noise. So you have a 503bhp V6 turbo in each, powering the rear wheels of the saloon and all four wheels of the SUV.

Linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox in both, too, which gets a new carbon knob while the steering wheel is Alcantara and carbon, and the seats carbon-shelled Sparcos. Cranking that noise up a bit further is a new Akrapovic exhaust. They might sound better than the F1 car…

These are no stripped-out road racers, either, with the usual suite of posh stereo, 3D sat nav and adaptive cruise control inside. Both will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, where we might also learn pricing. Given the much less severe looking NRing special editions added around £20,000 over standard, expect larger climbs – perhaps towards £90k for the Giulia – here.

In a statement to promote the F1-inspired cars created by his employer, 2007 F1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen said “Hmm… Mm.”

“…”

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has issued a recall for more than 60,000 Giulia and Stelvio models around the world.

The Detroit News reports that the recall relates to an issue with the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control systems. According to Alfa Romeo, the systen might not disengage even when a driver taps the brake pedal. Instead, the adaptive cruise control function can only be disabled when a driver steps on the brakes for a sustained period of time.

Alfa Romeo says that it discovered the issue when an employee was test driving one of its vehicles. No crashes or injuries from the problem have been reported so far.

The recall covers Giulia and Stelvio models built from 2017 through to 2019. Owners will be notified next month and the automaker will resolve the issue by updating the brake system software.

Of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio models involved in the recall, approximately 19,000 reside in the United States, while 1,600 are in Canada and 86 are located in Mexico. More than 40,000 others are located outside North America.

This isn’t the first recall to impact the Giulia and Stelvio. At the start of 2018, the two models were recalled due to contaminated brake fluid which could damage the brakes and keep them from performing as they should have. Alfa Romeo rectified the issue in affected vehicles by replacing the entire braking systems. Fortunately for the car manufacturer, the problem was limited to 2018 models built between the 14th and 23rd of November, 2017.

Moreover, last October the Giulia and Stelvio were recalled over engine overheating issues on both the 2.0-liter four and the 2.9-liter V6 powering the range-topping QV.

While today served as the official release of the ultra-exclusive Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio NRING editions, it wasn’t the first time North America had laid eyes on them. That happened last night at a party as exclusive as the cars themselves, of which only 110 total units will be produced. Bad news to all you car collectors in the general public—almost the entire stock of both Alfas are already reserved and accounted for.

While the Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio NRING editions aren’t brand-new (they were released in June of 2018 for just about everywhere but the United States), it’s something of a shock to see them on North American soil. No one expected them to make it stateside.

These aren’t the exact cars that were released in Europe and Asia, though. While you could get the previous versions in red, these come only in matte Circuito Gray with interior and exterior carbon fiber accents for both and a dual-pane sunroof for the Stelvio. Sparco racing seats come as an optional feature on both in case you’re feeling extra race-y(and, really, who wouldn’t be?).

Alfa Romeo has listed the 2019 Giulia Quadrifolgio NRING at $91,485 with and the Stelvio NRING is $97,485, as reported by MSN. However, pricing doesn’t really matter much here. Only 55 models of each car will be produced, and almost all of them were scooped up by avid Alfa fans before anyone even knew they’d be available in America.

And what did they scoop up? The same bone-rattling 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 as the non-NRING cars but with slick carbon fiber touches and an incredibly beautiful interior. Not too shabby at all.

UPDATE 04/17/19 6:16 PM: The press conference at NYIAS said that all 110 cars had been sold. That is not the case, Alfa Romeo tells us now, and this story has been updated accordingly.