You know you’ve got a fancy car if you don’t even know how to pronounce it, like the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. “Fancy” doesn’t always mean “good,” but when you’re talking about an Alfa Romeo, you come in with high expectations.
Does the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio live up to those expectations?
With 505 horsepower in a 2.9L V6 Twin Turbo, more interior features than you’ll know what to do with, and all that beautiful leather trim, we’re saying yes. If you daydream about driving an Alfa Romeo, this is the Alfa Romeo you daydream about.
We could just give you the specs. That would usually tell you everything you need to know if you’re buying a minivan or a family sedan, but an Alfa Romeo is a sensory experience, so we’ll have to refer to AutoTopNL to see this thing in action.
It’s All in the Details
The first thing you’ll probably notice here is that striking grille. It’s a classic Alfa Romeo design, specifically echoing the 159 made (even more) famous by James Bond, which went out of production in 2011 to be replaced by the Giuliana for the 2016 model year.
Alfa Romeo design is all about the little details. Look at the Knightrider-esque flicker of the exterior lights, listen to the actually-not-annoying door-open warning chime, the clicks of the dials. An Alfa Romeo is like a fine tailored suit. It’s those little things that set it apart.
Of course, the soft-but-powerful purr of the engine as it revs is the real star of the show here. You’re not in this thing for 5 seconds, and you already feel like a secret agent.
The driver plays with some interior features at 0:53. You’ve got one-touch power windows, and the eight-speed automatic 8HP75 transmission has a nice sound and feel to it. But when he hits the gas at about a minute in, that’s when it really starts to get fun.
The Quadrifoglio hits 0 to 60 in just 3.8 seconds, and you can see that as the driver takes off, the car just starts moving as if it doesn’t weigh an ounce. The reported horsepower is 505, with 443 lb-ft.
You’re going to be taking the scenic route every chance you get with an Alfa Romeo, and the Quadrifoglio gets a nice 17/25 mpg city/highway on a 15.3 gallon tank. So, you can go ahead and take the long way there without breaking the bank.
Everything you need for the smoothest ride possible is right here.
The driver seat is 14-way power-adjust, heated, of course, just like the 10-way passenger seat.
Additionally, the vehicle has a heated leather steering wheel with cruise control, remote keyless everything, smart device integration, and HD radio with 15 Harman/Kardon speakers.
The 8.8-inch touchscreen is fast and responsive, and your system monitor will tell you everything from which tire is low on air to how far you are from that car in front of you when parking.
And of course, you have all the safety and security features that you don’t really think about, but you’re glad they’re there: backup camera, engine immobilizer, driveline traction control, full airbags and so on.
At a Kelley Blue Book value of $74,500 MSRP, compared to $41,400 for the base model, the real question is whether it’s worth that extra 30 grand.
It might be. The Quadrifoglio has some bonus features, but they both feel amazing to drive or just sit in. The real draw to the Quadrifoglio is that extra horsepower at 505 over the base model’s 280 hp.
But that’s the hook with an Alfa Romeo. If you’re buying a Giuliana, you’re probably not looking for the budget model. You’re probably looking for 225 extra horsepower. These guys know their demographic.
Is it Worth it?
The Quadrifoglio is a premium car. With an Alfa Romeo, our advice is give it a test drive if you get a chance. Combine that with some research at Vehicle History, and you should be able to make an informed decision and get the very best car for your money.
