2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 'Alfa Romeo Racing Edition'
In 2019, Alfa Romeo celebrated its rich motorsport legacy with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio ‘Alfa Romeo Racing Edition’, an extraordinary version of its highly acclaimed Giulia Quadrifoglio. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, this limited-edition model was designed to honour the brand’s return to Formula 1, and to recognize the arrival of Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi alongside 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen. With its unique styling and performance enhancements, this special edition stands as a fitting tribute to Alfa Romeo’s racing pedigree.
Visually, the Racing Edition is a head-turner. Its livery mirrors the Alfa Romeo Racing team’s C38 Formula 1 car, with a striking Trofeo White and Competizione Red two-tone paint scheme. The result is an aggressive, track-inspired aesthetic that immediately sets it apart from the standard Giulia Quadrifoglio. The use of carbon fibre aerodynamic parts, such as the rear spoiler and front splitter, further enhances its motorsport credentials. These not only contribute to the car’s lightweight nature but also improve aerodynamics, offering tangible benefits in high-speed driving scenarios.
While the standard Giulia Quadrifoglio is already a beast on the road, the Racing Edition takes things up a notch. The 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, developed with Ferrari engineers, produces a heart-pounding 513 horsepower (520 PS), thanks to additional tuning by Alfa Romeo engineers. This increase in power, combined with an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, results in a sharper, more responsive driving experience. The exhaust’s aggressive note adds an auditory thrill, especially when the car is in Race mode, where the engine and exhaust system deliver their most visceral performance.
Despite its enhanced power output, the Racing Edition benefits from a weight reduction of 28 kilograms (62 lbs), largely due to the carbon fibre components and lightweight exhaust system. This reduction brings the overall weight down to 1,706 kilograms (3,761 lbs), improving its already excellent power-to-weight ratio and enhancing agility both on the road and track.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio Racing Edition retains the torque-vectoring rear differential and active aero splitter, which were firsts in the Giulia’s segment. These advanced systems ensure the car remains planted and composed during aggressive cornering, delivering the kind of precise handling and feedback that enthusiasts crave. With its lightweight construction and near-perfect weight distribution, the Racing Edition is as comfortable tackling tight corners as it is unleashing its full power on straights.
The carbon-ceramic brakes, another nod to Alfa Romeo’s racing background, provide excellent stopping power while reducing fade during spirited driving sessions. These brakes, paired with the 19-inch alloy wheels and sticky Pirelli P Zero tires, give the car impressive grip and control at high speeds.
Step inside, and the Racing Edition continues to impress with its blend of premium materials and race-ready design. The interior features Sparco racing seats, designed to keep occupants firmly in place during spirited drives, yet still comfortable enough for everyday use. Alcantara and leather trim adorn the steering wheel, adding to the tactile experience, while a Harman Kardon sound system ensures high-quality audio for when the soundtrack of the V6 isn’t enough.
The driver-centric cockpit offers the familiar Alfa Romeo DNA drive mode selector, which lets you choose between Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficiency, and the all-out Race mode. Race mode sharpens throttle response, opens up the exhaust for maximum sound, and disables stability control, allowing the car’s full potential to shine.
The Racing Edition is more than just a pretty face. Its performance is staggering, with a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint time of just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 307 km/h (191 mph). On the Nürburgring, the standard Quadrifoglio set impressive lap times, but the Racing Edition, with its lighter weight and enhanced power, is poised to push the limits even further. It’s a car that is equally at home on the racetrack as it is on the streets, embodying the spirit of Alfa Romeo’s racing history in every rev and every corner.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Racing Edition is more than just a limited-edition model,it’s a celebration of Alfa Romeo’s illustrious racing heritage. With its aggressive design, precision engineering, and racing-inspired performance, this edition is a true enthusiast’s dream. For those lucky enough to own one; a piece of Alfa Romeo history.
