Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
"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. The new model will progressively be sold across all markets in the EMEA area with prices that will vary from one country to the next. For more details, visit the local press site.
The Parisian show will showcase two new Giulia Veloce variants, both with 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive: the first model sees the début of the as yet unseen Blue Misano livery and is fitted with the new 280 HP 2.0-litre Turbo petrol engine, while the second Giulia Veloce, displaying an alluring Silverstone grey body, is fitted with the new 210 HP 2.2-litre Diesel engine.
Distinctive style and exclusive equipment
The exterior of the new 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 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 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 be available at the beginning of 2017. 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
At its world preview, 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 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 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.
Not to be forgotten, the Alfa Romeo Giulia has recently earned five prestigious Euro NCAP stars, scoring 98% in adult occupant protection. This is the highest score ever achieved by a car despite the more severe evaluation system introduced in 2015. This outstanding result was achieved by implementing two key elements: firstly, the adoption of a wide range of innovative safety systems, and secondly, the efficiency of a bodyshell that is light and rigid in equal measure, and makes extensive use of ultra-lightweight materials such as carbon-fibre, aluminium and aluminium composite.
The Paris show will be exhibiting two Giulia Super models with a 180 HP 2.2-litre Diesel engine and a 200 HP 2.0-litre Turbo petrol engine, both with 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. These models have been embellished with the Sport Pack (including sports steering wheel with specific grip, aluminium inserts on the dashboard, central tunnel and door panels, as well as Xenon headlights) and Luxury Pack which includes: full grain leather seats (available in four colours: black, beige, tobacco and red), leather upholstered dashboard and door panels, heated front seats electrically adjustable to eight settings, heated steering wheel, real wood (oak or walnut) inserts on the dashboard, central tunnel and door panels, plus chrome-plated exterior window frames and electrically folding door mirrors. This car also offers refined Mopar accessories in carbon: the wing mirror housing, the front grille and the gearknob.
The stand exhibit is completed by a Competition Red Giulia Quadrifoglio, fitted with a 510 HP 2.9-litre V6 Biturbo petrol engine and presented in the sports configuration featuring 5-hole ultra light-weight 19" wheel rims, carbon ceramic brake system and Sparco seats with carbon structural shell.
Also, here is an interview with the driver that set the record lap at the Nordschleife, but it is in Italian.
