Monday 25 / November / 2024
Muscat: Throughout its century-long history, every legendary Alfa Romeo model has combined heritage, speed, and beauty, making them the highest expression of Italian style in the automotive world, and three all-new models from Alfa Romeo perfectly capture this spirit – the 4C, Giulia, and Stelvio.
These stunning new additions to the Alfa Romeo range were unveiled at a special launch ceremony held at the Royal Opera House Muscat by Dhofar Automotive Company.
Commenting on the launch of the three new cars, Hani M. Al Zubair, chairman of Dhofar Automotive said, “The launch of the stunning new 4C, Giulia, and Stelvio sees a new page being written for the Alfa Romeo marque in Oman; each offering a perfect blend of the past, present and future and are the most brilliant examples of automotive excellence. It is these very same models that are headlining the Alfa Romeo Brand’s resurgence not just in the Sultanate but the world over and we, as the official dealership of the brand here in the Sultanate, are proud to introduce them as part of our new Alfa Romeo model line-up.”
A.L.F.A. (standing for ‘Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili’, which translates as ‘Lombard Automobile Factory, Public Company’ in English) was established on June 24, 1910, in Milan, Italy.
The company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has competed successfully in many different categories of motorsport, including Grand Prix motor racing, Formula One, sports car racing, touring car racing and rallies, competing both as a constructor and an engine supplier, via works entries (usually under the name Alfa Corse or Autodelta) and private entries.
The first racing car was made in 1913; three years after the foundation of the company, and Alfa Romeo won the inaugural world championship for Grand Prix cars in 1925. The company established a strong reputation in motorsport and this created a sporty image for the marque.
The reverence people hold for Alfa Romeo has grown with each new automotive masterpiece it has unveiled and each new milestone it has achieved along the way. One of these masterpieces was the 1967 33 Stradale, the homologated version of the racing Type 33, which is considered one of the most beautiful cars of all time. It is also served as the inspiration for the stunning new Alfa Romeo 4C.
Like the 33 Stradale that combined extreme mechanical and functional requirements with undeniable Alfa Romeo style and performance – the 4C coupe shares its body forms and follows this performance tradition with an undoubtedly Italian-styled SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) body "clothing," a state-of-the-art carbon fibre and aluminium structure, and a high-performance turbocharged engine.
Following the same philosophy, Alfa Romeo 4C engineers utilised a monocoque made entirely of carbon fibre to create the ultra-lightweight architecture needed for maximum performance and dynamic efficiency. Attached to the exotic monocoque are front and rear cell structures, roof reinforcements and an engine-mounting frame made from lightweight aluminium. As a whole, the vehicle weighs in at less than 900kg.
The beating heart of the 4C is a 1750 cc direct-injection 237 horsepower aluminium engine. It features a new generation turbocharger that provides instantaneous torque delivery, with a peak of 258 ft.-lb. (350 Nm); 80 percent of which is available at just 1,700 rpm. The all-aluminium 1750 cc four-cylinder engine is teamed with a paddle-shifting Alfa TCT twin-clutch transmission, specifically tuned for the 4C. It features a uniquely calibrated software that adjusts with the Alfa DNA selector system where gearshifts are designed to become most aggressive in the Dynamic and Race modes. The Alfa TCT system also integrates a ‘launch control’ mode – delivering the utmost acceleration possible as soon as the driver releases the brake.
Thanks to Alfa Romeo 4C's advanced technological solutions, the coupe demonstrates its precision, agility and performance credentials with a top speed of 260 kilometres per hour, 0-to-100 kmph acceleration blasts in 4.6 seconds, 1.1 g of lateral acceleration on corners, and 1.25 g of maximum braking deceleration.
“In fact, the 4C’s performance credentials have been confirmed at the ultimate automotive proving ground – the Nürburgring; where it managed to lap the challenging 22.8km circuit in a time of 8:04. Making it the fastest production vehicle ever to lap the ring in the under the 250hp category,” said Rhett Maxwell, the GM of Dhofar Automotive. “However, the 4C isn’t the only Nürburgring record holder in the Alfa Romeo family. The Giulia – a best-in-class sedan that is also currently the fastest ever 4-door production saloon to ever lap the circuit,” he added.
The history of the Giulia name dated back to 1962 with the introduction of the legendary Giulia sedan; a vehicle that boldly combined an enormously powerful engine with a lightweight body meant purely for street use - unheard of at the time.
The new Alfa Romeo Giulia is undeniably inspired by its namesake of a half-century ago – in its elegant style, alluring details and impressive aerodynamics - and its own set of breakthrough innovations. All in all, not only is the thrill of driving back - it’s better than ever.
There are five elements that made Alfa Romeo one of the world's most desirable automotive brands: distinctive Italian design, state-of-the-art, innovative engines, perfect 50/50 weight distribution, unique technical solutions and the best weight-to-power ratio.
These are the essential ingredients to create an Alfa Romeo and which deliver the 'Meccanica Delle emozioni' (or 'the mechanics of emotions' in English). This distinctive line, used worldwide in Italian only, pays homage to the homeland where the legend was born over a century ago. Moreover, today still, the brand carries Italian-made pride on everyday roads, on the most famous racetracks and in the hearts of millions of enthusiasts.
The new Alfa Romeo Giulia line-up comprises four trim levels - the 280hp 2.0-litre V6 powered Giulia, Super, and Veloce models, together with the brand’s new benchmark, the Giulia Quadrifoglio (QV); which is equipped with a powerful 510hp six-cylinder 2.9-litre turbo petrol engine inspired by Ferrari technology and expertise. Both engine options are made in Italy and built entirely in aluminium.
The Giulia also features perfect 50/50 weight distribution across the two axles, a sophisticated suspension system that is an Alfa Romeo exclusive and the most direct steering available in the market.
Finally, the Alfa Romeo Giulia combines extraordinary engine performance and ample use of ultra-light materials, like carbon fibre, aluminium, aluminium composite and plastic, to obtain the best weight-to-power ratio (lower than 3), enabling it to achieve a dry weight of just 1,524 kg.
The top of the range Giulia Quadrifoglio, with its 510hp six-cylinder 2.9-litre turbo petrol engine delivers truly exhilarating performance levels - a top speed of 307 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and peak torque of 600 Nm, and continues the long QV tradition that began as a simple request for good luck and ended up becoming a symbol for something even more magical: track records and race victories from Alfa Romeo and the drivers who campaigned them.
In 1923, legendary Alfa Romeo race car driver Ugo Sivocci wanted to break a string of second- place finishes. Therefore, when he was preparing for the legendary Targa Florio race in Sicily, he painted a white square with a ‘Quadrifoglio’, or four-leaf clover, on the front of his Alfa Romeo Rl Targa Florio. Moreover, as luck would have it, he finished in first place. Weeks later, Sivocci was track-testing a new car that didn’t yet bear his lucky symbol. Tragically, he crashed and lost his life. But from this tragedy legend was born.
This marked the beginning of a tradition: all future Alfa Romeo race cars would bear the four-leaf clover on a white triangle - with the missing corner symbolising the loss of Sivocci. Later, the Quadrifoglio was also used to designate high-performance Alfa Romeo street vehicles like the 1963 Giulia Ti Super, the 1965 Giulia Sprint GTA and now, the all-new Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models. Today, Sivocci’s clover remains a symbol of race-worthy capabilities and, of course, a symbol of good luck.
“As with the Giulia, the Stelvio offers a perfect blend of performance, balance, driver focus and, of course, Italian design flair. Named after one of the greatest driving roads in the world - the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps - it sets new benchmarks in the premium mid-size SUV segment,” added Rhett.
In true Alfa Romeo tradition, the all-new Alfa Romeo Stelvio delivers impeccable handling, worthy of a real sports car, proven by balanced weight distribution, the most direct steering ratio in the segment and state-of-the-art suspension with the exclusive ‘Alfalink’ technology. Not to mention the lavish use of ultra-lightweight, hi-tech materials. What's more, for the ultimate in road-holding, the Stelvio SUV offers the Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel-drive system and can be equipped with the mechanical self-locking rear differential on request.
More than just performance and handling, the car has plenty of room available for passengers to enjoy and share the pleasure of travelling regardless of the destination. It even provides a wide-ranging list of standard features, including18-inch aluminium wheels (available 19- and 20-inch wheels), leather seating, backup camera with rear park sensors, power lift gate, Formula One-inspired flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated push button start and much more.
The true manifestation of Italian performance, the new SUV is powered as a standard by an all-aluminium, 2.0-litre, direct-injection turbo engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering a class-leading, standard 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine, in particular, belongs to a new-generation of all-aluminium four-cylinder units with carbon fibre drive shaft; putting them at the top of their class in terms of performance and fuel economy. One fact will speak for all: the Stelvio 2.0 280 HP turbocharged Petrol engine is best in class in terms of acceleration, powering from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds.
However, with the most powerful Alfa Romeo production engine ever, the upcoming flagship Stelvio Quadrifoglio model, which will join the Oman market in Q2 2018, highlights Alfa Romeo’s true performance and motorsport pedigree as the halo model in the line-up.
The heart and soul of this ultra-high performance SUV is the very same all-aluminium, direct-injection 2.9-litre 24-valve bi-turbo intercooled V6 engine used in the Giulia Quadrifoglio, delivering a best-in-class 505 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque, plus a standard Q4 all-wheel-drive system.
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio includes exclusive high-performance and functional exterior design elements, plus unique performance suspension, brakes and wheels. Inside, high-performance leather and Alcantara front seats, featuring 12-way power and adjustable thigh support, provide the optimal control centre. Additional features include a Quadrifoglio-exclusive leather-wrapped steering wheel with accent stitching and performance contours, leather-wrapped instrument panel with accent stitching and carbon fibre interior trim.
Advanced technology features unique to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio include a four-mode Alfa DNA Pro selector with Race mode, torque vectoring differential, Quadrifoglio-tuned adaptive suspension, Quadrifoglio instrument cluster with 200 mph (322 kmph) speedometer, and cylinder deactivation system.
Furthermore, in true Italian fashion, the all-new Stelvio allows owners to customise their performance SUV with up to 13 exterior colours; seven wheel choices, ranging from 18 inches to 21 inches; and an almost endless selection of interior colour and trim choices.
“With the all-new 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, where other SUVs stop at the utility, Alfa Romeo took on the challenge to create the perfect mix of high performance, capability and design. I am confident, that the Stelvio, together with the 4C and the Giulia will revitalise and raise the Alfa Romeo brand to new heights in the Sultanate,” concluded Hani Al Zubair.
