First Drive: Manual Alfa Romeo Giulia QV
Four-leaf clover? More like four-leaf lover..
Let's make it clear from the start: Nick was supposed to drive this car, but that sadly changed due to insurance issues. Sad for him yes but good for me, as I was quite thrilled to grab hold of a gear knob that controls the transmission in a 510hp Alfa Romeo Giulia QV. Nick did snap the photos you see in this article though, some damn tasty ones if you ask me.
No multiple days of touring with this car, no this drive was just a quick one around a town in the Southern part of the Netherlands. Some straights, some bends and plenty of bumps. But who cares when you're driving around in the Alfa Romeo that is essentially the embodiment of a reborn brand. Reborn yes, as Alfa Romeo's image was as good as dead. Glory days lay in a distant past until this Alfa Romeo Giulia QV came along, quickly followed by the infamous Stelvio QV.
Wearing a four-leaf clover means carrying around a 2.9-liter V6 that breathes through a twin-turbo setup. That forced induction allows the relatively small engine to push out 510hp and somewhere around 600 Nm. For the Giulia QV that means zero to a hundred in just 3.9 seconds, if you can handle the manual transmission properly. Alfa Romeos are distinguished from the competition by their character and this transmission mated with the V6 sure gives you something unique, something you'll have to get used to. It's clunky, unless you treat it with the precision its natural arrogance demands.
Driving this car is very pleasing to do, I’d be lying if I was saying I disliked something immensely. The Giulia QV offers a relaxing ride and one that ins’t really suited for public roads (which i did try of course). Once the rotations of the 6-cylinder breach 3500 rotations, all hell breaks loose: the car leans heavily on the rear-axle for traction, the exhaust valves open with a powerful burst, and man does this thing kick your head back when that all happens. Add the manual transmission to the equation and you’ll undoubtedly understand that his car is very rewarding (and manly) to drive.
Pushing it hard through corners wasn’t on the menu that day sadly, the roads were too busy. But the double wishbones up front, the multi-link on the back-end, and the 50-50 weight distribution made me want to take this thing to the track so badly! Especially with those ceramics for brakes, a trauma I still need healed after that BMW M4 drive.
Comparing it with its direct competition, the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV held up brilliantly. It offers something unique, something worthy of a full alternative to a German power-saloon. Only thing worth mentioning is that the interior finish isn't on the same level, just marginally though. Alfa Romeo is back and better than ever it would seem.
