On April 15, 2023, 100 years will have passed since an indelible symbol of Alfa Romeo, the Quadrifoglio, made its debut on the racing version of the RL during the XIV edition of the Targa Florio.
On this special anniversary, Alfa Romeo has introduced the new Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio with the exclusive commemorative “Quadrifoglio 100th Anniversario” edition. Limited to just 100 units both for the Giulia and Stelvio, the Anniversary Edition is the result of one hundred years of research into technical excellence which has been applied to racing and production vehicles. Its iconic nature, technical purity and technology have been combined to place it at the top of its respective segments, with best-in-class handling and power-to-weight ratio, creating a direct and immersive one-of-a-kind Alfa Romeo driving experience. Lots of new features: celebratory badges, exclusive characterization, and lots of technology thanks to the new adaptive full-LED matrix headlamps and the new fully digital instrument cluster embellished with the historic ‘telescope’ design.
To celebrate one century of pure sportiness, the Quadrifoglio is heading back to its native land of Sicily, as Alfa Romeo has chosen the island to be the backdrop for a commemorative photo shoot which, in addition to recounting tradition, highlights Italian “Great Beauty” and “Made in Italy”. After one hundred years, the Quadrifoglio journey has not ended, as it continues to be reinvented and projected into a bright future which pays homage to the successes of the past.
The origins of a legend
A symbol of Italian noble sportiness, the legendary Quadrifoglio has always been synonymous with the brand’s highest-performing creations. This not only holds true for its racing models, but for its most powerful and exclusive road vehicles as well. On the occasion of its one-hundredth anniversary, it is being introduced in a commemorative version. Reinterpreted in a modern key, the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo has projected its historical logo into the brand’s future while preserving its solidity and elegance. Plus, its color point has been given a contemporary chromatic update and recalls the brand’s glorious vehicles and celebrated racing victories which are now part of the collective imagination.
The Quadrifoglio has been part of Alfa Romeo’s racing and industrial history since the very beginning. It all started on April 15, 1923 on the occasion of the XIV edition of one of the oldest automobile races in the world, the Targa Florio-the prestigious event which, at the beginning of the 20th century, transformed Sicily once a year into the most famous European “salon”. Intense and incredibly challenging, the race was one of the most important milestones of its time for drivers and could thrust particular car models and entire brands onto the market. That’s why, in 1923, Alfa Romeo put enormous importance on the Sicilian race, developing a specific version of its RL and recruiting talented drivers.
In the end, Ugo Sivocci, an important driver of his time, brought home the win thanks to his skills and a series of fortunate events which would make the choice of the Quadrifoglio (a four-leaf clover) even more meaningful as an emblem of sportiness on the hoods of race cars. With this victory, Alfa Romeo was catapulted onto the Mount Olympus of car manufacturers, inexorably linking the symbol of the Quadrifoglio to the brand’s legendary vehicles and setting the stage for an extensive series of brave achievements by unforgettable drivers. From the first Grand Prix championship in 1925, and moving on to the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio and “24-huor Le Mans”, the brand dominated the international racing scene from then on. However, the lucky symbol soon began to stand out on exclusive road vehicles as well. In fact, the glazed Quadrifoglio badge would make its first appearance on a road vehicle with the Giulia Sprint GT Veloce and launch a tradition which continues until today. These are the brand’s most powerful versions in their ranges and have been designed for a public of car-enthusiasts who are passionate about sporty driving.
A 100-unit, limited-edition jam-packed with exclusive content: technology, greater power with 520 HP, and superior technical refinement thanks to the limited slip-differential
The Giulia and Stelvio “Quadrifoglio 100th Anniversario” editions are the result of one-hundred years of research into technical excellence which has been applied to racing and production vehicles. The V6 engine has been enhanced to 520 HP (for Europe, the UK and China) and is combined with the mechanical self-locking differential, a feature that makes its debut on this special launch series. This is an important technical device that, thanks to specific tuning derived from the Giulia GTA’s design experience, contributes to improving the car’s behavior and traction, optimizing torque transfer, and increasing stability, agility, and speed in bends.
Best in class driving dynamics, the result of surprising lightness, due to the use of ultra-light materials such as aluminum for the engine and carbon fiber for the drive shaft, bonnet, spoiler, and skirts. On the Giulia, active aerodynamics remains with the carbon front splitter: when activated it controls the quality of airflow passing under the vehicle, increasing stability and performance. Finally, the Akrapovich exhaust system gives the exhaust an unmistakable sound.
Strong personality on the exteriors where Giulia and Stelvio renew their look in continuity with the family feeling of the range characterized by the ‘3+3’ headlights, with new adaptive Full-LED Matrix headlights that offer an anti-glare and adaptive driving beam for optimal lighting in all conditions, guaranteeing energy savings, a high improvement in safety and less eye fatigue. Burnished 5-hole 19″ sports alloy wheels for the Giulia, and 21″ for the Stelvio with new, exclusive gold brake calipers. The same precious hue distinguishes the emblem celebrating 100 years of the Quadrifoglio, positioned on the mudguard of both cars. To add even more sportiness, for both Giulia and Stelvio, the grille and mirror caps are in visible carbon. Three liveries are available: Rosso Etna, Verde Montreal, and Nero Vulcano.
The same sporty feel can be found in the interiors where there is an exclusive combination of black and Alcantara leather which is enhanced by new and exclusive in sight golden stitching and an innovative 3D finish in real carbon for the instrument panel, the central tunnel, and the door panels. On the dashboard, there is a special stitching of the number “100” next to a golden Quadrifoglio. The steering wheel is upholstered in leather and Alcantara with black stitching and carbon fiber inserts.
Whether it is the exclusive look, technology or onboard connectivity, all of the features are at the service of a trademark Alfa-Romeo driving experience. This can be seen in the new instrument panel which includes the historic “telescopic” design and debuts a completely digital 12.3″ TFT screen where you can access all of the vehicle’s information and the parameters related to the autonomous driving technologies. In addition to the three layouts available on the entire Alfa Romeo layout (Evolved, Relax and Heritage), the exclusive ‘Race’ configuration makes its debut on the Quadrifoglio.
The ‘Race’ layout gathers in the central screen the fundamental information that every rider wants to have under control: rev counter, speedometer and shift light for manual driving. The layout can be customized by placing additional information, including instant performance ones, in the side dials.
