As I'm sure you're well aware, Alfa Romeo is slowly being reintroduced back to the US market. This is exciting news for enthusiasts. Excluding the limited production and very expensive 8C, the wave of new Italian machines started with the 4C. It's a little carbon fiber two seat sports car. It looks sensational. It's meant to stir excitement, emotion, and interest in the brand. However, a relatively expensive, impractical sports car is not going to sustain Alfa Romeo in the US. For that they need a range of sedans and, yes, even crossovers to remain relevant. Oh, and I suppose profitable. That's important too. The first substantive model Alfa is launching in the US is the new Giulia sedan. A launch event sponsored by Wheels of Italy on Saturday, March 25th at Luther Alfa Romeo in St. Louis Park to gave people an opportunity to see it in person, take test drives, and meet fellow enthusiasts. The star of the show was definitely the Giulia, but there were some classic Alfas to check out as well. So, after getting to experience the Giulia for myself, how does the future look for Alfa? The future is looking bright. Alfa Romeo Giulia One thing the Italians know how to do is style a beautiful car. The Giulia has a striking exterior style. It's sensual and aggressive. The traditional Alfa Romeo triangular shaped grill is prominent up front, flanked by two narrow and wide headlights. The Giulia has a serious looking face. As your eyes wander over the hood and down the sides, you notice there are no hard creases. Everything is smooth and taut. At the rear, LED taillights complement the dual exhaust and rear diffuser. Overall, the proportions are spot on. When you step inside, you'll discover Alfa Romeo has crafted a beautiful interior. One of my favorite details is the steering wheel. The rim is sized right. The center is small and the spokes are slender, even with steering wheel controls. It gives the interior a sporty air from the get go. It feels great in your hands as well. On Giulia's equipped with the sport package, you'll find large metal paddles sprouting from the steering column giving you control of the automatic transmission. Two round gauges live behind the steering wheel giving you clear view of the speedometer and tachometer. Unlike some modern cars that have their infotainment screens spouting from the dash, or appearing tacked on, the screen in the Giulia is beautifully integrated. When the screen is off, it vanishes into the style of the interior. A rotary control knob lives on the center console making it easy to control the vehicle functions. The majority of Giulia sales won't be the high performance Quadrifoglio model. Rather than a 505 horsepower V6, the majority of the US Giulias will feature the 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It's a punchy little engine. Delivering 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque, the "base" engine offers exhilarating performance. All of the models available at the launch event come with Alfa Romeo's Q4 all-wheel drive system, essential to make the Giulia ready for Minnesota winters. The power delivery is immediate, acceleration is brisk, and it pumps out a great noise. The ride is well composed and the Giulia handles curves with the poise and confidence of a true sport sedan. The future is looking bright for Alfa Romeo's future here in the US. The 4C offers an uncompromising sports car experience. The new Giulia fills the mid-size sedan slot with true Italian flair. It's offered in trims ranging from mild to wild. And the soon to be released Stelvio crossover will allow Alfa to take part in the popular and profitable crossover category.
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