LA show: Alfa Romeo adds base engine to Giulia

MORE details on Alfa Romeo’s new flagship sedan have been released at the Los Angeles motor show, including confirmation of an entry level powertrain and an all-wheel-drive version.

The Giulia burst onto the world stage in June this year, touting a 317kW Ferrari-fettled V6 driving the rear wheels. Originally destined to launch in Europe late in 2015, Automotive News reports that the Giulia has been delayed as the company refines elements of the car’s handling and safety.

It is now expected to launch overseas in mid-to-late 2016, some six months later than first indicated. The delay will also impact the launch of Alfa Romeo’s first SUV product, which is based on the Giulia’s platform.

Alfa has used the LA show to announce that an all-new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, as well as a high-end all-wheel-drive variant, will join the fire-breathing six.

The 2.0-litre turbo four will be an all-new engine for Alfa Romeo, and will use direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger to produce 205kW.

Fiat’s new MultiAir2 electro-hydraulic valve lift system will combine with fuel-saving technology – most likely cylinder deactivation – to reduce emissions.

The range-topper will be powered by an all-aluminium 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine with 90-degree layout that allows for a lower position in the chassis and a lower centre of gravity figure.

It will produce 317kW/497Nm and sprint from zero to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds in six-speed manual guise. It is also fitted with cylinder deactivation to save fuel.

On a chassis front, aluminium front and rear sub-frames, front shock towers, brakes, suspension components, doors and fenders, along with an alloy/composite rear-cross member, are used to reduce weight.

Six-piston front Brembo brakes are standard, with 390mm front/360mm rear carbon-ceramic rotors available as an option. Staggered-fitment 245/35ZR19 (front) and 285/30ZR19 (rear) Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and 19x8.5-inch and 19x10-inch forged alloy wheels are also offered.

Alfa also claims that a world-first braking system – an electro-mechanical ‘brake by wire’ system – will replace the traditional ESC/brake booster combination.

There are few details about the all-wheel-drive system, other than the fact that it will come standard with torque vectoring. Alfa claims that the Giulia will have a 50/50 weight distribution, as well as class-leading torsional stiffness and steering feel.

Inside, a racing car-inspired steering wheel sits in front of a colour 7.0-inch driver information display cluster and two analogue gauges.

A new 3D satellite navigation system runs off an 8.8-inch widescreen display, with real-time vehicle performance pages and telemetry also offered. An Alfa Rotary Pad, meanwhile, will provide a gesture-recognition system, allowing the driver to interact with the navigation system by moving fingers on the pad.

Fixed carbon-shell Sparco racing seats are available as an option, and there is a four-mode Alfa DNA Pro driving mode selector switch.

On the outside, bi-Xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights sit above an active carbon-fibre splitter – it continuously adjusts itself according to road- speed, and can add up to 100kg of front downforce – up front, while LED tail-lights, a quad-top dual-mode exhaust and a rear diffuser complete the rear end.

Full-speed forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection and front- and rear-park assist sensors are standard on the Giulia, along with driver and front-passenger air bags, driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side air bags, front and rear side curtain air bags and driver and front-passenger knee air bags.