Giulia GTA: Alfa Romeo's 540 Horsepower Super Sedan
Alfa Romeo has spiced up the already sexy Giulia Quadrifoglio with a limited-run GTA variant. The title is shorthand for “Gran Turismo Alleggerita” and indicates its status as a lightweight, high-performance grand tourer. According to the manufacturer, weight savings from swapping various body panels, interior components, and the driveshaft to carbon fiber has cut 220 pounds from the model’s curb weight.
Meanwhile, factory tuning has nudged the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6’s peak output up to 540 horsepower, resulting in a leaner, meaner Alfa with a claimed 0-60 run of just 3.6 seconds.
It also looks the part, adopting extremely aggressive bodywork and racing harnesses while ditching the rear seats (further assisting with the weight issue) to make room for a roll bar on the more-bananas GTAm version. There’s even an out-of-place-looking spoiler that, while severely undermining the standard Giulia’s classinessm, is reportedly functional and works in tandem with other aerodynamic enhancements from Sauber Engineering. Nothing on the GTA is subtle, though it all works together to create a truly menacing performance vehicle ready to take on the meanest, modestly sized sport sedans Germany can offer.
Regarding the suspension, Alfa says it widened the front and rear wheel tracks by 50mm and developed new set of springs, shock absorbers, and bushings for the suspension systems. GTA models also receive 20-inch center-locking wheels and a titanium Akrapovič central exhaust system integrated into the rear diffuser.
However, in order to get the rear seat delete with the roll bar and harness setup, Alfa says you have to select the hardcore GTAm. Clearly intended for racing, the variant has Lexan windows occupying all corners but the front, aerodynamics optimized to create additional downforce, as much Alcantara as the manufacturer could fit inside the cabin, and a fire extinguisher.
Doubling down on the racing angle, Alfa Romeo has decided to sell both models with a complementary Alpinestars race suit (including shoes and gloves), signature Bell helmet and a personalized car cover for when you’re towing it to the track. You don’t have to put it on a trailer, though. While we imagine the GTAm’s NVH is probably abysmal compared to the standard Giulia and GTA, it’s entirely street legal.
According to Alfa Romeo, production of the GTA/GTAm variants will be limited to just 500 units — all individually numbered to promote collectivity. Bookings are open now and will last until Alfa has sold out, which we don’t expect to take particularly long.
The sales process will be one-to-one, with a brand ambassador/product specialist assisting each customer from order to delivery and an experience package that includes the racing suit and helmet. Owners will also be issued a specific driving course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy to further enhance their motoring pleasure and skill.
Don’t expect it to come cheap. GTA variants will undoubtedly exceed the Quadrifoglio’s $72,245 MSRP by a wide margin, with the GTAm being dearer still. Fortunately, the $38,545 base Giulia hasn’t gone anywhere and is an optimal choice for those seeking the Alfa experience on a budget. Just be ready to settle for 280 horsepower and far less performance-related bling.
[Images: Alfa Romeo]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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