Alfa Giulia Cloverleaf – a future classic

THERE are few cars outside the realms of impossibly-priced exotica that you can drive confident in the knowledge that it will still be revered as a classic in 50 years time.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is one of those rare models, a supercar saloon that possesses epic performance, sensational driving dynamics, slick Italian design and has virtually no direct competitors.

Of course there are other, more restrained, Giulia versions. But the Quadrifoglio – which means Four Leaf Clover in Italian – carries the green leaf badge to continue the spirit of both current Alfa Formula One cars and vintage Alfa racers.

The emblem first appeared on an Alfa Romeo in 1923 and was actually used as a good luck charm ahead of a major event in Sicily. It worked in the race and its legacy was forged.

Fast forward almost a century and the latest Giulia Quadrifoglio is a beast of a machine with its 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo Ferrari-derived engine blasting out 510bhp of knockout punch via an eight-speed auto transmission.

It can hurtle to 62mph in a mere 3.9 seconds, has the potential to reach 191mph for those with a handy racing circuit and a stomach-load of bottle and feels in no way overwhelmed by the fact that nearly all its power is directed to the rear wheels.

We could rattle off more crazy figures, list the accolades or the wealth of standard kit, but one virtue – and it really is a virtue rather than an attribute – is the sound the Quadrifoglio makes, especially when fitted with the optional Akrapovic sports exhaust.

And where better to check out that fabulous roar than at the point occupying top spot in the latest Alfa Romeo Sound Tunnel Index – the 658-metre long Penmaenbach tunnel on the A55 coast road in North Wales.

The stretch comprises two tunnels, through each of which is one-way traffic and a lovely even road surface and, at the time of our drive, few other vehicles to dampen the effect.

You don’t need to hammer the Alfa to achieve a spectacular result, an explosion of sound that burbles, rasps and roars, because the car’s response is both instant and controlled.

That’s one of the reasons why this is such a usable, pretty much everyday supercar as its adaptive suspension ensures a supple ride (in all circumstances except Race mode – almost too tempting to resist – which releases the car’s inner demon and switches off the ESP).

Drive the Quadrifoglio sensibly – and it is possible to do that – and it’s likely you’ll return something in the region of 24 miles per gallon, but if your motoring is mainly town, city or suburb and you’re realistically looking at 15mpg.

Even Alfa’s own consumption figure for the Low (city) drive cycle is just 18.5mpg, and there’s a fair bit of CO2 being belched out too – 227g/km.

Move inside and the cabin is very Alfa Romeo, in other words more functional than space age and includes the familiar shrouded dials, Alfa DNA modes of Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency plus the built for speed Race mode.

The ‘Quad’ also brings in body-hugging leather and suede seats and flat-bottomed steering wheel with a bright red Start/Stop button as well as a discreet cloverleaf emblem set in the carbon-effect panelling.

Space for four is perfect and while there is a belt for a centre rear passenger, that position is perched and legs have to be placed either side of the wide transmission tunnel. But you can fit plenty in the boot, which is large for a saloon.

Overall though, this is one outstanding motor car – it looks stylish yet menacing, is both docile and savage and presents a feel of wellbeing very few vehicles can match.

The list price is £68,995 but options like the sports steering wheel, Akrapovic exhaust, Convenience and Driver assistance packs, red seatbelts and an exposed carbon fibre roof propel the tab to £76,445.