Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Pirelli tires, Italian passion

If we had to define Italians, we’d probably talk about passion, warmth and enthusiasm. We would swoon over their style, their sophistication, their grace. And we would appreciate their love of good and beautiful things. Take those words, apply them to a car, add some Pirelli performance tires, and you have the Alfa Romeo Giulia.

Add a little enthusiasm and passion, and you get the Quadrifoglio (four-leaf) version, synonymous with performance from the Italian manufacturer. Mind you, it’s not that the car has no flaws. It’s just that its flaws are largely compensated by the soul that drives this car.

Do you think I’m putting too much into it? Maybe. I do tend to like things from Italy a little too much. My excessive love for pasta is a testament to that. But in the case of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, I’m not the only one who shares this passion.

In fact, when it comes to inspired European driving, the little Alfa Giulia literally thumbs its nose at the Germans, who are masters in the art of handling. Here, everything is organic, emotional. Forget the coldness and precision of the BMWs of this world; the Alfa Romeo is more like a carefree, surprising car every time you get behind the wheel.

Power and drive

Don’t get me wrong. Even though the version tested is a rear-wheel drive (the only option offered on the Quadrifoglio), it’s easy to drive and steer. The carefree attitude tends to come from the driver, who has a strong desire to enjoy the 505 horsepower developed by the beast’s 2.9-litre turbo V6 engine.

In comfort mode, it behaves wisely. In a sportier world (three different modes are offered), it becomes a lifelike performance hound. The suspensions are stiffer, the exhaust note becomes a nice backfire as soon as you push it, and the automatic gearbox (which you’re careful to put in manual mode, as it should be) allows for swift shifts.

A good word for the comfort of the seats is an element that my rounded young man size appreciates, particularly when it comes to such sporty seats. But in dynamic driving, nothing to complain about, the support is undeniable.

Handling

Then there’s the handling. The one you get by pointing the car directly into the desired trajectory, and which is obtained by avoiding roll and unnecessary weight transfer.

This handling is also maintained by the Pirelli Pzero 285/30ZR19 tires that come standard on the car. Tires that are known for their incredible handling on both wet and dry roads. In fact, this tire is designed to be very low to the ground, which helps improve steering response in corners. It has 3 grooves that go around the tire’s perimeter to help channel water, which increases wet traction and prevents hydroplaning. The limit is far from being reached quickly when the autumn rain gets in the way.

Particularly effective in braking, the PZero Corsa has only one minor flaw: it has a tendency to wear out prematurely. It should never be used on frozen surfaces.

From the wheels to the steering wheel, all this passion is unleashed when you sit in the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. The rear seats are indeed decent, but not much more. The suspension may seem a bit too stiff for non-drivers. As for the reliability, that remains to be seen! And that the price tag of nearly $100,000 is enough to put off the most die-hard fans (there are less powerful versions for about $55,000).

But what can I say, I can’t say anything bad about it. L’amore è amore!