108 run ‘collector’ versions of Giulia, Stelvio, and 4C nod to Alfa’s long history.
For those who might have forgotten that the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was once the fastest production four-door saloon to lap the Nurburgring, the Italian automaker will be bringing a special versions commemorating the occasion to the Geneva Motor Show.
The same goes for the company’s first SUV, the Stelvio, which currently does hold the title for the quickest production SUV to lap the Nordschleife. Called the ‘NRING’ editions, just 108 examples of each will be produced. However, and interestingly, only collectors and Alfa Romeo loyalists will be given access to it at all - a tactic similar to former sister company Ferrari with their rarest exotic super/hypercars.
Don’t fret too much if you aren’t on Alfa’s favourite list, though, as the only tangible differences between them and a standard Giulia QV or Stelvio QV being the various exterior and interior bits exclusive to the NRING. Well, that, and carbon ceramic brakes as standard and a bare carbon fibre roof.
On the outside, both are finished in a unique Circuito Grey livery and gain a front badge and mirror caps made of carbon fibre to match the side skirt inserts. Inside, there’s Sparco carbon shell racing seats with red stitching, a leather/Alcantara steering wheel with yet more carbon inserts, and a Mopar gear knob (with carbon inserts). Naturally, there will be badge in a (carbon fibre) dash insert that displays the individual series number within the special edition run.
Both are still powered by the same 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine that outputs 380kW and 600Nm, mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. Other standard equipment match the standard QV duo, including a Harman/Kardon stereo, an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Active Suspension, Active Torque Vectoring, as well as a active cruise control.
The Swiss capital will also mark the introduction of some more widely available flavours of these duo of Alfas, namely the Giulia Veloce Ti and Stelvio Super with Performance Pack. Starting with the saloon, it’s basically the same Giulia Veloce as before, but the Ti (which stands for Turismo Internationazionale) takes the sportiness and style a step further with plenty of cosmetic additions, mostly of the carbon fibre variety. It’s still powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-four petrol with 206kW and all-wheel drive, so it shouldn’t be any kind of slouch either.
The Stelvio Super, meanwhile, adds a new Performance Pack that brings Alfa’s Active Suspension system to the upper mid-range Stelvio, sharing the same engine with above Giulia Veloce. This enables the ride to be adjusted on the fly by toggling the DNA drive mode. The pack also endows the sporty SUV with red brake callipers, aluminium pedals, and sports steering wheel.
Alfa is also choosing to bring a pair of special editions of their 4C to the Geneva show, called the Competizione and Italia. It’ll surely be a refreshing sight under the glow of the motor show floor, it’s evocative shape still quite the head turner. Perhaps they felt it was high time to roll out a new spin on the 4C given the appearance of a new direct competitor in the Alpine A110.
The 4C Competizione, which will be produced as a coupe and Spider open top, are to be finished in a matte Vesuvio Grey finish while exposed carbon fibre highlights grace both the interior and exterior, such as on the the roof, mirror caps, side air vents, and headlight moulding. There’s also black wheels, red brake callipers, and a titanium Akrapovic exhaust system. Like the NRING editions, the 4C Competizione is also limited to 108 units, matching the number of years since Alfa Romeo’s founding in 1910.
Finally, the 4C Spier ‘Italia’ takes a more flamboyant approach to the sports car with its Misano Blue exterior, new asymmetric 5-spoke wheels (18-inch at the front, 19-inch at the rear), and yellow brake callipers to match the yellow stitching on the dash, steering wheel, and door panels. Like the Competizione, it Italia also gains the titanium exhausts, but is topped off with an Alpine (ironic) premium audio system.
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