Alfa Romeo Cars

Euro · 12 models

Italian sport luxury. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is one of the great modern sport sedans. The 4C is a carbon-fiber two-seat exotic. The history is deeper than either.

Euro

Alfa Romeo is one of the oldest car makers in continuous operation, founded in 1910 as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili. The brand identity is Italian sport luxury, with a motorsport heritage that includes the original Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, and the early years of Formula One (Alfa Romeo won the first two Formula One World Championships in 1950 and 1951). The Quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover) badge has marked the brand sport variants since 1923. The Giulia Quadrifoglio (2017-present) is the modern halo. A 2.9 liter twin-turbo V6 (developed with input from Ferrari engineers) making 505 horsepower in a rear-drive sport sedan that won numerous comparison tests against the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio applies the same drivetrain to a high-performance SUV. The 4C of 2013-2020 was a carbon-fiber-tubbed two-seat sports car with a 1.7 liter turbo four-cylinder and a focused chassis. Manual gearbox was not offered (a frequent enthusiast complaint), but the chassis dynamics earned strong praise. The 4C Spider (convertible) extended the formula. Production ended in 2020. Outside the performance models, the modern Alfa Romeo lineup includes the Giulia (sedan), Stelvio (mid-size SUV), and Tonale (compact SUV with hybrid powertrain). The brand is part of Stellantis and shares platforms with various group products under the corporate umbrella. The Alfa heritage runs much deeper than the modern lineup suggests. The Spider Duetto (1966-1994) is one of the great affordable Italian roadsters. The 33 Stradale of 1967 is one of the most beautiful cars ever produced, in any era. The GTV6 of the 1980s is a connoisseur pick. On WhipJury, Alfa submissions are heavy on Giulia Quadrifoglios, 4Cs, classic Spider Duettos, GTV6s, and the occasional vintage Giulietta or 33 Stradale tribute.

Alfa Romeo models we cover

156

159

The Giulia Quadrifoglio

The Giulia QV launched in 2017 as a serious BMW M3 alternative. The 2.9 liter twin-turbo V6 was developed with Ferrari involvement (Alfa Romeo and Ferrari were briefly under the same Fiat Chrysler corporate umbrella). 505 horsepower, eight-speed automatic, rear-drive, electronically controlled differential. Reviews praised the chassis balance and steering feel. The car has won numerous Best Sport Sedan comparison tests in its production run.

The 4C

The 4C used a carbon fiber monocoque chassis with composite body panels, a transverse mid-mounted 1.7 liter turbo four-cylinder making 237 horsepower, and a six-speed twin-clutch transmission. Curb weight was around 2,500 pounds. The chassis was praised; the car attracted criticism for its steering effort (no power assistance), road noise, and lack of manual transmission option. Production ended in 2020.

Alfa Romeo on WhipJury

Giulia Quadrifoglio submissions dominate the modern Alfa presence. 4C examples are rare but always do well. Classic Spider Duettos and GTV6s have a devoted following. The community appreciates Alfa role as the Italian alternative to German sport sedans.

Frequently asked questions about Alfa Romeo

Is the Giulia Quadrifoglio reliable?

The Giulia Quadrifoglio has a mixed reliability reputation. The drivetrain is generally durable. Common issues are infotainment glitches, electrical gremlins, and occasional sensor failures. The 2.9 V6 has had isolated reports of timing chain or VVT solenoid issues. Maintenance is more expensive than for German rivals.

Is the 4C really a supercar?

The 4C uses supercar engineering (carbon fiber tub, mid-engine layout, sub-2,500 pound weight) but produces only 237 horsepower. By modern supercar standards, the power is modest. By engagement and feel standards, it competes with cars at much higher price points. It is more of a focused sports car than a supercar.

What does Quadrifoglio mean?

Quadrifoglio means four-leaf clover in Italian. Alfa Romeo has used the badge to mark the brand performance models since 1923, when it was first applied to a winning racing car. Modern Quadrifoglio cars (Giulia Q, Stelvio Q) use a slightly different badge variant (a green clover in a white triangle) than the historic version.

Is the Tonale a real Alfa Romeo?

The Tonale is built on the Stellantis Small Wide platform shared with several other group products including Jeep Renegade and Compass. The chassis tuning, design, and trim are Alfa-specific. The Tonale Quadrifoglio is in development as the performance variant. Whether it qualifies as a true Alfa is a matter of debate among purists.

What is the most legendary Alfa Romeo?

The 33 Stradale of 1967, by general consensus among classic car experts. It is one of the most beautifully designed cars ever made, with extreme rarity (only 18 produced). The 8C 2900 of the 1930s is the prewar pick. The Spider Duetto and GTV6 are the affordable enthusiast picks. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is the modern flagship.

Alfa Romeo on the WhipJury blog

Why Chinese EVs look the way they do

Chinese EVs look European because Europeans designed them. Wolfgang Egger from Audi and Lamborghini runs BYD design, Kris Tomasson from BMW runs Nio's, and Stefan Sielaff, who drew the Audi A7 and Bentley Bentayga, runs Geely's. Here's why the cars share smooth surfaces, light bars, and living-room interiors, and what they still lack.

Why Do New Cars All Look the Same?

Stand in any new car dealership and do a slow scan of the lot. Then do the same thing at the dealership next door. The silhouettes blur together. The crossover proportions are interchangeable. The front ends all have versions of the same aggressive grille flanked by the same split headlight treatment. The colors are white, gray, silver, black, and maybe one brave soul in red. You couldn't tell a Nissan Rogue from a Hyundai Tucson from a Chevrolet Equinox at fifty yards and that's not an accident. It's the output of a specific set of industry forces that have been running in the same direction for twenty years...

Does Car Color Affect Resale Value?

The relationship between color and resale value is real, measurable, and counterintuitive enough that it's worth understanding before you make a decision you'll live with for several years.

Why Does My Car Look Better in Photos than in Person?

You've seen it happen. The press photos come out and the car looks extraordinary. Then you see one in a parking lot and something is off. The proportions feel different. The color is less interesting. The details that looked sharp in the photos look ordinary in person. This happens with enough consistency that it can't be coincidence, and it isn't. There are specific, technical reasons why cars look better in photos than in person, and understanding them changes how you evaluate any car you haven't seen in the metal...

More Euro makes

Abarth Alpine Audi BMW Citroen Cupra DS Automobiles Fiat Jaguar Lancia Mercedes-Benz MINI

Submit Your Whip