The Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA is instantly recognizable courtesy of an exclusive characterization that is both aesthetic and functional, confirming it is not an exercise in style but instead a high-performance vehicle derived from a mass-produced car, the exceptional Giulia Quadrifoglio. To achieve these objectives, widespread use has been made of components in carbon fiber and composite materials. The aerodynamics have been specially designed to increase downforce. These solutions embody technical expertise that comes straight from Formula 1, courtesy of the synergy with Sauber Engineering. They were entrusted with the aerodynamic appendages, the new rear spoiler – adjustable to 4 positions in the GTAm, and the active front splitter, which can be extended for use on the track by up to 40 mm on the GTAm. With the widespread use of ultralight materials, the Giulia GTA’s weight is reduced by up to 100 kg compared to the Giulia Quadrifoglio, and is powered by an upgraded version of the 540-hp Alfa Romeo 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo engine with a best-in-class weight-to-power ratio of 187 hp/L.
But power on its own is not enough to ensure extraordinary performance. The work done with a view to reducing the vehicle weight has been meticulous, and it has reaped particularly impressive results: the total weight is reduced by up to 100 kg, given the adoption of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber in the front bumpers and fenders, and in the front wheel arches; and the specific monocoque sports seats in carbon fiber: changes on top of the components already included in the Giulia Quadrifoglio, such as the roof, bonnet and crankshaft. The use of aluminum is widespread in the engine, doors, suspension and various composite materials in many other components: on the GTAm, a polycarbonate has been used in the side and rear window frames, further contributing to the weight reduction. The combination of a lighter weight and the increase in output to 540 hp results in extraordinary performance. Courtesy of the Launch Mode system, it only takes 3.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. Different from the GTA, the Giulia GTAm offers a two-seater configuration with rear roll bar, yet is still type-approved for on-road use. In the GTA trim, with the same output, the Giulia offers 5 seats: a true supercar also suitable for the whole family.
Handling has been improved by widening the Quadrifoglio’s front wheel tracks by 25 mm and their rear counterparts by 50 mm, and by developing a specific suspension setup for the suspension systems (the front with two oscillating arms, the rear using independent multilink springs). Last but not least, in terms of performance, the Alfa Romeo 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo engine, made entirely of aluminum and capable of unleashing no less than 510 hp on the Giulia Quadrifoglio, reaches an output of 540 hp in the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA, courtesy of the meticulous development and calibration work of the Alfa Romeo engineers, who revisited the piston cooling flow and the design of the rods. The air circulation in the engine cooling and transmission circuits has also been increased. For such an exclusive model, the brand has created a wide range of customizations aimed at a unique purchase experience for this supercar, including an experience package with a Bell helmet in special GTA livery that can be customized with the serial number, a specific Goodwool car cover, and dedicated services. The GTAm will also come with full Alpinestars racing apparel.
The initials GTA stands for “Gran Turismo Alleggerita” (“Gran Turismo Lite”), invented in 1965 for the Giulia Sprint GTA, a specific version derived from the Sprint GT, set up for sports type-approval and unveiled at the Amsterdam Motor Show that year. The bodywork of the Giulia Sprint GT was replaced with an identical aluminum body, with a total weight of 745 kg compared to the 950 kg of the road-going version. A second variation concerned the 1570-cc twin cam engine which, in its road-going configuration with dual ignition, reached an impressive output of 115 hp. The return of image to the line-up also made its mark: indeed, the Giulia Sprint GTA epitomized the claim “a victory a day in your everyday car”. Since then, the GTA has become part of the collective unconscious, as an undisputed icon of Biscione sportsmanship, the power of its initials ending up persuading the public to identify Alfa Romeo sports cars in general simply by “GTA”. A final word should go to the fact that, just like the GTA initials, the name “Autodelta” is similarly as iconic, the eponymous workshop located at the Balocco Proving Ground being the custodian of its cherished legacy.
The interior of the Alfa Romeo GTA features plain black Alcantara®, a unique material that succeeds in combining the rationale of both aesthetics and functionality. Pleasant to the touch, distinctive and elegant, from a practical point of view Alcantara is resistant to wear, breathable, and ensures a high level of grip so the driver remains in position in the seat during lateral accelerations. Its use on the dashboard – with its non-reflective properties – stops annoying reflections from disturbing the driver. Plus, the lightness of the material, paired with carbon fiber, results in a significant overall decrease in the weight of the car compared to other materials, to the benefit of the car’s overall performance. Alcantara is therefore used even more extensively on the GTAm, where the removal of the rear seats leaves room for specific compartments for helmets and a fire extinguisher, which are also upholstered in Alcantara. Contrasting body-color stitching and the embroidered GTA logo in Alfa Romeo red accentuate the car’s racing spirit. Last but not least, like Alfa Romeo, Alcantara is a Made in Italy brand, meaning it can create products using advanced technologies, while maintaining the attention to detail typical of craftsmanship – one of the trump cards of its work.
