What’s the best antidote to two weeks of Home Improvement Program-induced dust, noise and disruption? Why, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce of course!

Before anyone clicks away thinking that this writer has finally gone stark raving barmy, hear me out. We’d already endured eight working days of hacking, drilling, cementing, tiling, plumbing et al at home by the time the Stelvio Veloce was ready for collection.

At the last minute, we were informed about some bathroom fittings that we had to buy ourselves. This is where this Italian performance sports utility vehicle (SUV) came into its own, making round-island runs effortlessly to pick up the remaining stuff.

And being highly entertaining to drive while doing it, dissipating the fortnight-long doldrums in the process. More on that later.

Just like the Giulia Veloce reviewed earlier this year, Stelvio Veloce sits in a league of its own. At its price point, no other SUV comes close performance-wise. Not to mention emotion-wise.

Esterno

The one major difference between this facelift and the previous version can be found in the headlights. Bi-xenon projectors have finally been eschewed in favour of more modern full LED matrix ‘trilobe’ items with sequential turn signals illuminating each lobe until all three are lit.

Everyone knows that telephone-dial rims are de riguer for Alfa Romeo, and 20-inch items wrapped in 255/45R20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres make their appearance here.

So do red four-piston Brembo callipers in the front and single-piston sliding callipers in the rear. Contrasting nicely with the test vehicle’s Alfa White paintwork and red racing stripe, there’s no mistaking this SUV for anything else other than an Alfa Romeo.

The rear end blends SUV practicality with coupe-like rakishness in the windscreen. Distinct perimeter-lit LED taillights add to the flair and dramatics, and twin tailpipes in the lower valence tell everyone that Stelvio Veloce means performance. As does the Q4 badge. More on that later.

Interno

Stand nearly centred with the rear end and sweep your right leg underneath the bumper from left to right. The tailgate opens electrically to reveal a cavernous 1,600-litres of cargo capacity with the 40:20:40 split-folding seatbacks completely down.

With them up, boot space is still a decent 525-litres, more than enough for soccer-mom duties when the occasion calls for it.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – very few brands can pull off a red leather interior without coming across as vulgar, and Alfa Romeo is high up on that shortlist.

There’s sufficient legroom, headroom and shoulder space in the rear for two full-size adults, although three can sit abreast in a pinch. Two pairs of ISOFIX anchor points are available for child seats.

A couple of aircon vents keep rear occupants cool, and two USB power outlets are fitted to keep their mobile devices charged up and ready to go.

I wish Stelvio Veloce came with a panoramic sunroof. Due to the black headlining, the sunroof would have gone a long way toward lifting interior airiness. However, it can be optionally specified if so desired.

Sporty front seats tell a tale of performance even before one gets in. Electrical adjustments are available, including three memory settings for the driver’s seat. They’re supremely ergonomic, and while firm, never get uncomfortable.

Once adjusted to one’s preference, the perfectly-sized leather-wrapped steering wheel, adjustable for reach and rake, falls naturally to hand. That the column-mounted shift paddles are substantial speaks further to Stelvio Veloce’s performance bias.

The other major change that this facelift brings is the 12.3-inch full-TFT screen, which Alfa Romeo calls ‘Cannocchiale‘ or ‘telescope’, probably because the instrument cluster surrounds resemble a public-viewing telescope situated at the top of very tall skyscrapers.

I’d argue that the instrument cluster surround is designed to resemble feminine curves of the upper torso region, but we’ll let the cheekiness slide since this is an Alfa Romeo after all.

Where the analogue cluster of old will be sadly missed, this digital screen goes a step beyond in offering three customisable gauges named Relax, Evolve and Heritage respectively.

Heritage harks back to the Alfa Romeos of yore, and Relax is minimalist and will appeal to some. I found myself using Evolve more frequently for it is my favourite theme.

If tech is your thing, then the Alfa Romeo will disappoint. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available in the 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which can also display performance gauges.

This is perfect for folks like me who prefer technology to be in the background and unintrusive. However, I wish the screen could have been of a higher resolution.

No matter though, for Waze directional instructions are mirrored on the instrument screen.

Dual-zone climate controls are adjusted by physical knobs and buttons (HOORAY!!!) and two cupholders and a USB charging port and a 12-volt outlet feature below said controls.

Drive modes are selected by the ‘DNA’ knob to the right of the gear lever, and ‘dynamic’, ‘natural’ and ‘all weather’ modes either slacken off throttle response and sharpen up stability control in descending order, or vice-versa in ascending order.

Here again, I wish Stelvio Veloce came with adaptive dampers, for the ‘DNA’ knob would control the dampers too, along with a dedicated button in the centre of the knob. Alas, this is an optional extra.

There are also no auto-hold brakes available, which is a curious omission by parent company Stellantis since its functionality is directly controlled by the ABS module, which would simply need to be programmed to hold line pressure when one’s foot comes off the brakes at a standstill.

The USB ports for connectivity are ensconced in the centre cubby, along with the wireless charge pad.

Hoonigan McTwatopotamus

There’s no getting away from the fact that Stelvio Veloce is firmly damped, and the lack of adaptive dampers means a rather busy ride, especially for a family-friendly SUV, at street speeds.

Get it up on the highway though, and the firm damping starts to make complete sense, smoothing out at higher speeds and keeping this nearly 1.8-ton vehicle planted on a firm footing.

Truth be told, Stelvio Veloce encourages one to drive like a hoonigan twatopotamus from Twats “R” Us in a spirited manner.

That’s not to say it can’t cruise, for it can indeed. However, it constantly eggs you on with a “c’mon, c’mon, c’mon… MOVE IT!!!” vibe and you soon find yourself looming down upon vehicles up ahead. Watch as they hurriedly get out of the way.

Which then brings us on to how it negotiates the twisty stuff. Where Giulia Veloce is undoubtedly a svelte ballerina, Stelvio Veloce can be described as cruisin’ for a bruisin’.

Don’t get me wrong. It can still groove in the same way that John Travolta can groove up a Saturday Night Fever. Twists and turns make this performance-biased SUV really shine.

Due to its rear-biased all-wheel drive setup, power is only sent to the front wheels when needed. This means a decidedly more sporty handling SUV from the word ‘go.’

Set the ‘DNA’ selector to ‘dynamic.’ Then, knock the eight-speed automatic gearbox into manual mode and use the delectable column-mounted paddle shifters to select the appropriate gear for the corner.

Brake in a straight line, come off the brakes and with neutral to slight-positive pressure on the accelerator while negotiating bends and corners, and Stelvio Veloce will dance right through them.

The limited-slip differential (LSD) in the rear (hence the Q4 badge) helps the rear end rotate and assist the nose to point in the intended direction of travel. So does the quick steering rack at around two turns lock-to-lock, and you have yourself one darty SUV.

Use these to your advantage, and Stelvio Veloce will enthral you to no end. Be warned though. If you ham-fistedly throw it into a corner, it will understeer. Slower in, faster out. That’s the mantra to recite.

On a straightaway, bury the accelerator into the floor and the turbocharged two-litre 280hp engine will howl as it swings toward its 5,500rpm crescendo, only for the next cog to be selected and for it to howl all over again. Electrifying!

Should You Buy One?

It does decently on fuel economy as well. Where Alfa Romeo quotes 9.1-litres/100km or 11.0km/litre combined efficiency, I was able to clock a weighted and normalised average efficiency of 7.72-litres/100km or 13.0km/litre, meaning 700-800+km of range is possible from its 64-litre petrol tank.

Interestingly, the street efficiency is exactly the same as the Giulia Veloce’s. Naturally, fuel economy is dependent on driving style, traffic conditions and use case, but the key, as usual, is to drive smoothly, not slowly.

So, what about niggles?

It doesn’t have auto-hold brakes, which would have been a Godsend at traffic lights. A sunroof would have been nice to lift the interior’s airiness. Adaptive dampers would have made the ride more compliant in street situations

The infotainment screen is a little small but navigation directions are at least mirrored in the instrument cluster. The reverse camera’s image could have been higher in resolution.

It wouldn’t be an Alfa Romeo without niggles, would it? Just like that gorgeous gal who can really get on your nerves sometimes, but blows your brain at all others.

In the latter respect, it has pretty good space and pace. It looks unique and stands out in a sea of humdrum SUVs, and drives and corners beautifully. It enthrals to no end and definitely awakens one’s soul. And most of all, it is a true Alfa Romeo.

Tired of living like a drone because family life means trading in fun for mere practicality? Not with the Stelvio Veloce, it doesn’t. Head down to the Alfa Romeo showroom, take a test drive and rekindle the inner flame of your once-dormant but now-active cuore sportivo or sporting heart. Why?

Because the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce is a performance SUV with oodles of Cuore Sportivo.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Check out our Stelvio Veloce TikTok video here.

Technical Specifications

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce
Engine Capacity: 1,995cc inline four-cylinder turbocharged
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Drive: rear-biased, all wheels
Transmission: eight-speed automatic with rear limited-slip differential
0-100km/h: 5.7 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 230km/h (claimed)
Kerb Weight: 1,755kg
Fuel Capacity: 64-litres
Range: up to 703km (claimed)
Fuel Economy: 9.1-litres/100km or 11.0km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$299,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Alfa Romeo Singapore

The post 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce – Still Exciting la Famiglia appeared first on Burnpavement.

The day had finally arrived when Fat Max would meet Fat Bob, and this review had ‘chonk‘ written all over it from the get-go. Yours truly had been looking forward to this moment for a couple of years now, and here it was.

Having already reviewed the Softail Standard last year, the opportunity to cruise the highways again with a Milwaukee V-twin burbling away in the nether regions was definitely worth the wait.

Fat Bob is Harley-Davidson’s take on what a modern-day heavy but sporty cruiser should be like. Although its name sounds very similar to Fat Boy, the latter is more for relaxed, classic cruising while the former sports a more athletic performance-slanted riding experience.

Rotund Robert
Good news for the lanky and/or gravitationally less-challenged folks, for the seat height sits nicely at 710mm. Unlike the Softail, there were no hip and thigh cramps to overcome, and I became one with the bike in record time

More petite-sized riders need not fret, for Fat Bob’s riding position is wonderfully engineered to where balancing at a standstill is pretty easy. That the rear of the rider’s seat kicks upward means support for one’s coccyx, and comes in handy on longer rides.

Next up are the foot pegs. Where Softail had them mid-mounted, Fat Bob has them pleasantly forward-mounted, and for this rider, felt much more natural, ergonomic and easy to use.

Lean angle left and right increases to 32- and 31-degrees respectively compared to the aforementioned Softail’s 28.5-degrees on either side. What this means is that one can put their knee further down with Fat Bob and handle bends and corners like a champ.

Both gear and rear brake controls are chonktastic and simple and easy to use, but Neutral seemed to be a little tricky to engage, especially at a standstill.

Chonkalicious 150/80-16 and 180/70B16 Harley-Davidson branded Dunlop blackwall tyres are where the rubber meets the road. Featuring a chunky adventure bike-like tread pattern, they grip well in the twisties and remain stable on the straights.

The handlebars are positioned such that they simply fall naturally to hand for this rider. Others may find themselves leaning slightly forward, but this should not be much of a pain at all. Think of naked bikes’ riding position and it will all make more sense.

Keyless start features here on Fat Bob, and it’s a welcome feature. Simply approach the bike with the key in your pocket, mount up, turn the kill switch on, wait for the fuel pump to finish priming, start the engine and Bob’s your uncle – enjoy that lovely growl.

And what a muscular engine this is, all 114 cubic inches of it.

The Milwaukee 114 1,868cc V-Twin puts down 93hp and 155Nm of torque to the road via a six-speed manual gearbox. While this may not sound like much, it’s a different story on the move.

That gearbox too has its own aural character and sounds like a steroid-addled pigeon loudly “pruu-pruuing” away at idle and low revs. Drive is primarily sent via an enclosed chain to a secondary belt drive that goes to the rear wheel.

Anchoring duties fall to twin floating rotors clamped down by two four-piston fixed callipers in front, while the rear sports a solitary rotor and two-pot floating calliper. They’re strong, and never once did I feel wanting for additional stopping power

‘Nuff gum-flappage. Let’s ride.

Thiccc Cruisin’ n’ Bruisin’
Remember Sammo Hung? The man may be chonktastically thiccc but boy can he move swiftly and deftly. It’s pretty much the same story with Fat Bob.

Sure, it’s no KTM Duke 390, but learn its ways and it will dance to your heart’s content. Remember, Fat Bob is hefty at just over 300kg and has a longer 1,615mm wheelbase, and that means turn-ins need to be orchestrated more purposefully.

The trick here is to consciously use the countersteer technique. Wanna turn left? Countersteer right first and let the bike naturally lean left. Running wide in a bend? Countersteer, lean further into the bend and sharpen your line.

Do this and Fat Bob will sail through highway-speed bends and slow-speed tight corners like a champion, and put a massive grin on your face while doing it in the same way Sammo Hung enthrals audiences with his swift, deft martial arts moves despite his size.

The centrepiece of Fat Bob is the Milwaukee 114 V-Twin. Start-up sees a throaty shout from the dual 2-into-2 shorty pipes before settling down into a lumpy, burbling idle. At low revs, the burble changes slightly into a thrumming throb, somewhat reminiscent of a Huey helicopter.

Twist the right wrist and let the revs rise, and Huey gives way to the 19th-century Gatling gun at a quicker cadence. The whole experience is so visceral that one feels ‘encouraged’ to shift up and do it all over again. Just wish the exhaust note was louder though. (wink wink nudge nudge!)

Where Fat Bob is the happiest, however, is cruising at a relaxed 2,000rpm. Standard cruise control takes care of any potential wrist fatigue on longer rides and I found myself using it more than I thought I would.

What about lane filtering? Just keep in mind that Fat Bob ain’t no Slim Jim, allow for a slightly wider gap and you’ll be slicing through traffic right along with slimmer bikes like kapchais.

After collection, and on the same night, a round-island highway cruise was undertaken. Never once had I come home after a test ride and said, “I want this bike,” until Fat Bob came along.

However, the defining moment of this review ride was yet to come. Before returning the bike, I decided to go on another round-island cruise early on a public holiday morning with cruise control set to 85km/h on the quieter highways. Y’know, because one round-island ride wasn’t enough.

Heading westward brought Fat Max and Fat Bob right into not just one, but two heavy downpours. Without rain gear and clad in a dri-fit long-sleeved top usually means uncomfortable skin pricks from the large raindrops which are more akin to sharp tiny stones being flung at the rider.

Not this time though.

Neither Fat Bob nor I could give a flying f**k about the pelting thunderstorms, with the steroid-addled-pigeon sounding gearbox down below flipping the proverbial bird at the heavens above as we sailed right through the downpours with cruise control still engaged

Right at that defining moment, Fat Bob made Fat Max feel indestructible, incorruptible, invincible. Cue a certain Fat Penguin (you know who you are) chuckling in the background.

This song pretty much sums up that feeling.

Some time ago, I was someone who scoffed at Harley-Davidson motorcycles, buying into the stereotypes promulgated by the internet. Not anymore. Now I get it, and ne’er will I scoff at Harleys again, thanks primarily to Fat Bob and also Softail.

You’ve gotta ride ’em to know what the Harley-Davidson feeling is really like.

Once again, after returning Fat Bob and while riding my Duke 390 home, the first lingering thought was “How come the gear shift leverso smol wan aaaah?”

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Check out our Harley-Davidson Fat Bob TikTok video.

Technical Specifications

2024 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114
Engine:  Milwaukee Eight 114 1,868cc V-Twin
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Driveline: Chain-driven primary, belt-driven secondary
Power: 93hp @ 5,020rpm
Torque: 155Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel Economy (combined): 5.5-litres/100km or 18.18km/litre (claimed)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 litres
Weight (in running order): 306.17kg
Length: 2,340mm
Wheelbase: 1,615mm
Unladen Seat Height: 710mm
Ground Clearance: 120mm
Lean Angle (left): 32-degrees
Lean Angle (right): 31-degrees
Price: from $68,900 (with COE, accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Harley-Davidson Singapore

The post 2024 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 Review appeared first on Burnpavement.

This special edition M4 CS is meant to sit in between the M4 Competition and the 1,000-unit M4 CSL special edition. Its three-litre TwinPower Turbo engine forms the basis for the engine in the 2022 DTM touring car championship-winning BMW M4 GT3.

Increasing boost pressure of the two single-scroll turbos to 2.1-bar sees the M4 CS put down 550hp at 6,250rpm and 650Nm of torque from 2,750-5,950rpm, and it’s no surprise that the wick has been turned up here over the M4 Competition.

Power is channelled to all four wheels via BMW’s rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel drive system, coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The result is 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds, 0-200km/h in 11.1 seconds and an eye-watering top speed of 302km/h.

M4 CS means serious business, folks

The chassis has also been tuned precisely to match the performance characteristics of the engine.

Electronically-controlled M suspension adaptive dampers and M Servotronic steering with variable ratio are bespoke to the M4 CS, while axle kinematics and bespoke wheel camber settings, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars serve to further sharpen handling.

The settings for the DSC system and M Dynamic Mode have also been purposefully geared to the specific demands of dynamic circuit driving. M Dynamic Mode gives drivers extra leeway to explore the car’s dynamic limits by pushing back the intervention points of the DSC system.

M Compound brakes with callipers painted in a choice of Red or Black are standard-fit. The callipers for the optional M Carbon ceramic brakes can be specified in a Red or matt Gold painted finish.

The M4 CS also comes as standard with forged M light-alloy rims in an exclusive V-spoke design, available in either in matt Gold Bronze or matt Black.

Featuring 19-inch rims wearing 275/35 ZR19 donuts and 20-inch items adorned with 285/30 ZR20 rubber in the front and rear respectively, they come standard with BMW star-mark Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 track-biased tyres. Street-based UHP tyres can also be opted for instead.

The use of components made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) features throughout the M4 CS, which saves around 20kg over the M4 Competition.

The carbon fibre roof, with its low weight, brings the car’s centre of gravity closer to the road and therefore enhances agility and cornering dynamics.

The bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser and Gurney-style rear spoiler are also made from carbon fibre.

The exhaust system also contributes to weight savings, with a titanium rear silencer dropping more than four kilograms.

Even the interior features this strong fibre material made from the sixth element of the periodic table.

M Carbon bucket seats, upholstered in an exclusive black/red Merino leather colour scheme, come as standard. Carbon fibre features in the structural elements of the seat cushion and backrest as well as cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints.

The standard M Alcantara steering wheel in three-spoke design with a flat-bottomed rim offers a more sporty yet comfortable feel, while more carbon features on the various trims. BMW Operating System 8.5 or iDrive 8.5 is standard fit.

Back again on the outside, two new BMW Individual special paints, Riviera Blue and Frozen Isle of Man Green Metallic (pictured) are available for the M4 CS, as are M Brooklyn Grey metallic and Sapphire Black metallic

A weight-saving, frameless BMW kidney grille with a stripped-back feel suggests its racing potency, while headlights with light icons that illuminate yellow instead of white are an obvious nod toward successful GT racing cars.

The rear lights feature Laserlight technology and intricate fibre optic bundles inside the light clusters, which results in a 3D effect first seen in the 1,000-unit special edition M4 CSL

Tempted yet?

Photo Credits: BMW

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At the double header in Berlin on 11 and 12 May, the most powerful production Porsche of all time, the Taycan Turbo GT, assumed the role of safety car in the all-electric world championship. Two variants will be the car on duty and the substitute car respectively, with different features and in different colours.

“Sustainability and electrification are of great importance to Porsche, which is reflected in our motorsport activities – including the deployment of the Taycan Turbo GT as a safety car,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport.

“This is symbolic of the fact that we learn from motorsport for series applications. In Formula E, this is especially true of our electric sports cars, for example in energy management. This is another reason why the Taycan has improved in almost every discipline recently.”

The new Taycan has more power with a greater range and charges faster and more robustly. The Turbo GT has been at the top of the range since March. With record-breaking laps at the Nürburgring and Laguna Seca, it showcased its consistent circuit configuration.

With the optional Weissach package, it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 305 km/h.

The Attack Mode, with temporary boosts of up to an extra 163hp, is based on the technology of the Porsche 99X Electric, the current world-championship-winning Formula E car.

For the first time ever, two versions of the electric world championship’s safety car will lead the way.

The Taycan Turbo GT in the exclusive exterior colour Purple Sky Metallic will be performing its duties with the Weissach package and therefore without any rear seats.

The second car in Shade Green Metallic will be in action without the added performance boost as a four-seater

The Porsche specialists at Manthey based at the Nürburgring will continue to look after the vehicles. These experts are also responsible for installing any necessary modifications.

These modifications include elements such as the warning lights and related electrics, high-tech communication equipment, and fire extinguishers

The experienced Portuguese driver Bruno Correia will remain at the wheel of the safety car.

Photo Credits: Porsche

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On Monday 15 April, in a show full of energy that anticipates an exciting new journey into the future, Maserati staged “Made in Thunder”, an overture to the Folgore, the new 100% electric chapter of the House of the Trident.

After two young Italian stars had enthralled all in attendance, the stage was taken over by the world premiere of the car taking a leading role in Maserati’s electric era, with the same disruptive force as thunder – GranCabrio Folgore, the 100% made-in Modena and 100% full electric convertible

GranCabrio Folgore is the first 100% electric convertible in the luxury segment and is said to be the fastest on the market.

After the GranTurismo Folgore, the brand’s first fully electrified icon, and the Grecale Folgore, the first 100% electric SUV in the Trident’s history, the new open-top Maserati completes the Modena-based company’s current full-electric offering.

For its debut, the GranCabrio Folgore sported the exclusive Liquid Rose Gold colour, Titan Grey soft top and sophisticated Denim and Ice interiors, with contrasting stitching, a jewel of the Maserati Fuoriserie customisation programme.

Three 300kW permanent magnet motors and 800V technology endows the GranCabrio Folgore a total of over 1,200hp and 1,350 Nm of torque, seeing it dust off the 0-100km/h sprint in just 2.8 seconds, and on to a top speed of 290km/h.

Stopping duties fall to Brembo six-piston fixed calipers in front clamping down on 380mm ventilated discs, and four-piston fixed items in the rear with ventilated 350mm discs.

The 92.5kW battery pack (83kW usable) can be fast charged at up to 270kW DC and goes from 20%-80% in just 18 minutes. The range is said to be 419-447km on the WLTP cycle

The fabric roof, available in the five colours of Nero, Blue Marine, Titan Grey, Greige and Granata, takes from 14-18 seconds to open and 16-20 seconds to close, with the windows open and closed respectively.

On the inside, the GranCabrio’s multi-function steering wheel features smooth leather and takes sportiness to the next level. The start/stop button on the left emphasises the sporty ambition when starting the car. On the right, the second rotary switch provides a choice between drive modes and activates the optional air suspension.

Comfort in the passenger compartment, even with the top down, is ensured by the neck warmer, which envelops the driver and passenger by blowing warm air directly from the newly designed seats

As standard on all models, it can be activated via a dedicated button on the comfort display, which can also be used to adjust the intensity of the air to any of the three speeds available.

The GranCabrio Foglore is a real four-seater with sufficient comfort even for longer journeys.

The audio system is designed and made by Sonus Faber, the Italian artisans of sound.

The GranCabrio Folgore offers two different audio configurations: the standard Premium audio system featuring 13 speakers and 2D surround, with an output of 815 W for a unique natural sound experience; and the optional High Premium audio system with 16 speakers, 2D and 3D surround sound with powerful amplification, up to 1060 W, for depth of field and truly unique roundness of sound.

Excited for the electric drop-top future yet?

Photo Credits: Maserati

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Automobili Lamborghini presented a limited edition ‘All Terrain’ Ad Personam special series of the Huracan Sterrato at Italy’s prestigious Milan Design Week.

The 12 cars, with exclusive liveries developed by Lamborghini’s Ad Personam studio in conjunction with its Centro Stile, are inspired by four different terrains to which the Huracan Sterrato especially lends its talents: snow, sand, off-beat tracks, and the earthiness of arid deserts.

Presented by Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, the All-Terrain versions made their world premiere to over 200 guests at Segheria of Tanja Solci, Milan with a specially-created setting in which to present the provocative and particular personalities of the special series.

Inspired by the disruptive tendencies of nature, each car is seen against a backdrop of the specific environment by which its livery is influenced such as rocks, desert and forests.

“The Huracan Sterrato disrupted the super sports car landscape from the moment of its launch,” said Stephan Winkelmann

“The All-Terrain Sterrato celebrates its distinctive, multi-layer personality, always as much a super sports car as an explorer of new roads. Like nature, the Sterrato cannot be confined and will always find a way to carve innovative routes.”

Each of the four Sterrato versions features a matt camouflage paint scheme created by Lamborghini’s Ad Personam studio: reflecting the natural environments in which the Sterrato excels, the All-Terrain editions adopt the colours of the landscapes from which they take their inspiration.

NEVE (snow) takes the sophisticated ice-cool hues of the tundra; SABBIA (sand) features the neutral tones of the warm desert and green cacti, evocative of dunes and oases.

The BOSCO (green track) evokes the trees, mosses and leaves of forest paths, while the TERRA (gravel) recalls the warm ground and sands of moorland environments and arid landscapes under powerful sunsets.

The unique exteriors are finished with a roof and upper bonnet cover in matt black, together with roof rails and cross bars.

The lower part of the car is also painted matt black with a lower band in an accent colour dedicated to each of the four versions, set off by Morus 19-inch matt black forged rims, complementary calliper colours and additional lights.

Complementary internal Ad Personam specifications feature dark chrome and carbon twill with Alcantara, lasered Sterrato dedicated graphics and an Ad Personam plate denoting the special edition while recalling the external livery.

“The All-Terrain Sterrato is a true Lamborghini in its dynamic abilities and the way it surprises by delivering the unexpected,” said Design Director Mitja Borkert.

“The Sterrato concept developed by our Centro Stile has been elevated together with our Ad Personam department to emphasize the different dimensions of the Sterrato’s multi-faceted character and talents, and truly emphasizes its fun-to-drive, go-anywhere personality.”

The 12 cars have already been sold to selected clients in the three main commercial areas of USA and Latin America (ALA), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific and Australia (APAC) within the total production volume of 1499 for which deliveries commenced in 2023.

Each EMEA, as well as the other areas, will receive the 4 unique special series cars that will be the unique ones in their countries.

“The Sterrato concept proved itself from the moment it was first unveiled, endorsed not only by awards won, media and customers acclaim, but from its resounding commercial success with all units immediately sold out,” said Chief Commercial and Marketing and Officer, Federico Foschini.

“Limited series that demonstrate Lamborghini’s competence in personalization through our Ad Personam studio is an important part of our business model, with Milan Design Week the perfect forum to present this capsule edition.”

The Sterrato’s 5.2-liter V10 engine delivers a maximum power output of 610hp and 560Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, combined with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and electronically controlled all-wheel drive with rear mechanical self-locking differential.

Its wider tracks and increased ride height help maximize the super sports car’s fun-to-drive personality on both the road and away from the tarmac. Designed to offer optimum performance on loose surfaces, it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 260km/h.

Photo Credits: Lamborghini

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Update 16 April 2024: You just gotta love the Italians. After having been launched as the Alfa Romeo Milano, an Italian government official declared that the use of the name ‘Milano’ is banned by law. So folks, here we have the Alfa Romeo Junior. Compact controversy indeed!

Sean and I were having a chat about Alfa Romeo the other day. I mentioned that if it was not for the fact that sedans and hatchbacks don’t sell as well today, Alfa Romeo would build a hot-hatch successor to the Giulietta if they had their own way.

Barely a day later, this news drops. Sporty at heart, compact in size and Italian style at first sight, the Alfa Romeo Milano Alfa Romeo Junior was presented to international press in Milan at the historic headquarters of the Automobile Club Milano where Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910.

Boy, does the Milano Junior court controversy. I’ve read stories in other publications worldwide to this effect. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so we invite you to draw your own conclusions. As for me, I LOVE it!

The name ‘Junior’ comes from Alfa Romeo’s past. On September 26, 1966, the GT 1300 Junior was unveiled in Balocco to appeal to a younger and newer audience of buyers.

Despite the lack of the name “Giulia,” it was the leader of a new Alfa Romeo generation. Indeed, similar versions of the Spider range would also be identified with the Junior.

With sales of over 92,000 units, the GT 1300 Junior soon became the overall best seller in the line-up, and a true status symbol of its time.

The Milano’s Junior’s design is quintessentially Alfa Romeo; aimed at those looking for a car not only to be a ‘means of transport,’ but rather for symbiosis, a bond that can bring out ‘authentic emotions.’

Bold Exterior

The new Milano Junior, with its compact dimensions (length of 4.17 meters, width of 1.78 metres and height of 1.5 metres), encompasses the uniqueness of the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile‘s original and modern Made in Italy design.

Typical of the brand expressed in the balance of proportions and purity of lines.

Alfa Romeo’s stylists have modelled this ‘skin’ with artisanal care to breathe life into a sinuous and exciting design that catches the eye at first sight.

This creates a genuine emotional connection between the driver and the car, even going as far as resulting in a strong desire to caress it. Trust me folks, this describes me to a tee.

The proportions are set out with stylistic features relating to tradition, such as the limited overhangs, the muscular wheel arches, and the iconic ‘truncated tail,’ a reference to the legendary Giulia TZ.

One unique new feature is the new shield in the Leggenda and Progresso variants. Perhaps the most famous and recognizable signature in the automotive world. This is banked by ‘3+3’ and adaptive Full LED Matrix headlights.

Elegant Cabin

The same inspiration of sportiness can be found inside the car, with the generous use of premium materials. Most of all, the instrument panel brings back the historical ‘telescope’ design, persuading you to wrap your hands around the steering wheel, start the engine, and make the best of a unique driving experience.

The middle of the cluster features a fully digital 10.25-inch TFT screen, to access the car’s data and the settings for the driving technologies.

Oriented towards the driver, a 10.25-inch touchscreen system comes with intuitive widgets that can be customised via drag and drop. Every user can create their own unique homepage, where each of the car’s features is a widget in itself.

To further embellish the interior, the air conditioning vents are shaped in a quadrifoglio or four-leaf clover, the symbol par excellence of Alfa Romeo sportiness.

Finally, Sabelt sports seats feature an enveloping backrest that combines ergonomics and structural lightness.

Despite its compact size, the Milano Junior boasts the largest boot in its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) class with a load capacity of up to 400 litres.

The Milano Junior also comes with features such as the “Alfa Romeo cable organiser” storage compartment located under the bonnet, a handy place to store the charging cable. For easy access, proximity access enables owners to unlock and lock your car quickly and easily without human intervention.

Driving Passion

The team that coordinated the development of the Milano’s Junior’s driving dynamics is the same one that developed the Giulia GTA at the Balocco testing centre in Vercelli province, with the clear aim of the new Milano Junior achieving best-in-class driving characteristics.

The car touts the most direct steering in the segment with a 14.6:1 steering rack, specially calibrated to be extremely precise. In the VELOCE variant, the sports suspension has been lowered by 25mm, and the front and rear anti-roll bars are extra sporty to guarantee high levels of corner grip.

Front brakes are over 380mm with four-piston monobloc callipers, and a Torsen limited-slip differential is included as standard. The high-performance 20-inch tyres are also specific to electric vehicles.

The Milano Junior will also include the Alfa D.N.A. system – Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced Efficiency. On the Q4 hybrid version, a rumoured fourth mode known as Q4 will be available for low-grip conditions.

All this forms the basis of a compact car with pure, recognisable Alfa Romeo sportiness.

The Alfa Romeo Milano Alfa Romeo Junior is equipped with “Alfa Connect Services,” a tool that offers onboard connectivity and a range of services such as “My Navigation,” enabling drivers to search for destinations and points of interest, as well as real-time alerts on traffic, weather and speedcams. Thanks to over-the-air (OTA) technology, the car’s maps and software are always kept up to date.

Via the My Alfa Connect smartphone app, customers can also interact with the car using “My Remote,” with various services such as remote control of the car’s functions and notifications if these are not respected. E-Control also offers the option to remotely manage start-up and stopping, to schedule charging, or if necessary, to heat or cool the interior before getting into the vehicle.

Another innovation is the integration of the Hey Alfa virtual assistant and ChatGPT (A.I.) which use voice recognition to give you a useful, discreet ‘copilot’ on your travels, for information, and advice and to meet all the driver’s needs.

In the EV ELETTRICA variant, Alfa Romeo has opted for a “Hybrid Synchronous Motor”. Available in two power versions, 156hp or 240hp, output should be sufficient for an engaging and sporty drive. The 54-kWh battery is quoted to offer “a very good ratio of rated to usable energy”.

Specifically, in the 156hp version, you get up to 410 km of range (WLTP), or 590 km (Urban). At 100-kW DC fast charging stations, it takes less than 30 minutes to charge the batteries from 10 to 80%.

Next up, the hybrid IBRIDA variant adopts a 136hp 48V variable-geometry turbo (VGT) architecture alongside a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine. The battery and a 21-kW electric motor are built into the 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, to ensure efficiency. Power will be sent to either front-wheel or Q4 all-wheel drive. The engine can even shut off, giving you electric drive up to 150 km/h.

The top-of-the-range launch version, dubbed SPECIALE will be available with both IBRIDA and ELETTRICA (156hp) powertrains.

Spring for the SPECIALE, and you get the “Progresso” badge, matte sports finishes in Brera red, and 18-inch ‘Petali’ alloy wheels. The interior comes with exclusive features such as a ‘Spiga’ vinyl and fabric interior, a leather steering wheel, and an electric driver’s seat with massage functionality.

Controversial? Sure.

Still an Alfa Romeo? Let us drive it first.

Photo Credits: Alfa Romeo

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Bentley Motors announced the company’s most visually striking SUV to date, the Bentayga S Black Edition.

Identified by the first application of black-tinted wings to a Bentley in 105 years, the S Black Edition combines vivid accent colours, rich black detailing and confidence-inspiring chassis technology, revealing the darker side of the Bentayga.

Customers can choose from seven accent colour specifications:
– Mandarin
– Signal Yellow
– Klein Blue
– Pillar Box Red
– Ice
– Hyper Green
– Beluga
Each of the colours brings an eye-catching yet cohesive design both inside and outside, contrasting with stealthy black treatments across the car.

On the exterior, the accent takes the form of a laser-like stripe on the Styling Specification body kit below the front bumper and side sills and across the top of the rear spoiler.

Brake callipers are painted to match, adding a splash of colour behind 22-inch black-painted wheels.

As per the standard Bentayga S, all exterior brightware is replaced with gloss black versions, but the S Black Edition is the first model in Bentley’s 105-year history to include the Bentley Wings and lettering in matching gloss black.

The final exterior detail is a Black Edition badge located on the rear D-pillar.

At the start of the year, a host of new features have increased the desirability of the Bentayga range even further.

With the exterior of the car remaining fresh, the scope for increased personalisation has been increased with seven new satin paints, a new additional exterior colour and a new 21-inch wheel option in three different finishes.

Priority has been given to the driver and passenger experience with new chassis technology, new electrical architecture and additional features, including a re-profiled front radiator grille.

The introduction of all-wheel steering at the launch of Bentayga Extended Wheelbase increased handling and manoeuvrability whilst also reducing the turning circle by nearly one metre.

This system is now included as standard on both the Bentayga Azure and ‘S’ V8 models.

This is even more apparent as the steering combines with Bentley Dynamic Ride using up to +/- 4.8° of steering lock on the rear wheels.

At low and medium speeds below 60km/h, the rear wheels are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels to aid a rapid change of direction, maximising manoeuvrability in tight spaces and reducing the turning circle by one metre.

At speeds above 60km/h, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front, to improve stability and provide further confidence.

The Bentayga S Black Edition features Bentley’s renowned 4.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine.

The latest-generation engine develops 550hp and 770 Nm of torque, with a 0–100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/h.

A sports exhaust is included as standard, with free-flowing primary and secondary pipes improving flow and combining with reduced perforations in the muffler to deliver enhanced character and volume, giving a more performance-oriented feel.

For the new S Black Edition, the Bentley design team has also created a unique interior colour layout, bringing the perfect contrast between rich Beluga leather and splashes of bright accent colour.

The impactful accent colours on the outside of the car are carried through into the handcrafted cabin, where contrast stitching, contrast piping and accent-coloured sections of the leather trim come together to achieve the same searing effect. Each seat is embroidered with a black ‘S’ emblem.

A new carbon fibre weave has been used on the fascia, centre console and waistrails. The weave adds seemingly-3D visual depth to the fascia, providing the perfect backdrop for the Black Edition badge, which is inlaid beneath the lacquered surface to preserve the flush finish.

The new Dark Chrome pack has been included as standard. This means that much of the interior metal detailing, including the bullseye air vents, their organ stop controls and the centre vents, has been changed from usual bright chrome to gloss black equivalents.

There are three audio systems to choose from, starting with the Bentley Signature Audio system.

The Bang & Olufsen for Bentley system takes sound quality to another level, while also featuring stunning illuminated speaker grilles, while the Naim for Bentley system represents the ultimate in automotive sound quality.

Photo Credits: Bentley

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Harley-Davidson released a preview of Push the Limit: Harley-Davidson Racing Season 2, a dramatic new docuseries on YouTube that follows the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team and other racers during the 2023 season of the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series.

The adrenaline-fueled docuseries puts fans behind the scenes and right in the middle of the wheel-to-wheel action, showcasing the excitement of King of the Baggers racing and providing a behind-the-scenes perspective of the immense effort these racers and teams make to achieve victory.

The six-episode docuseries will be released episodically, with a new episode debuting each week, beginning Friday, April 5 at SGT 11pm (GMT +8) on the Harley-Davidson App for members, followed by a YouTube release on Tuesday, April 9 at SGT 8am (GMT +8).

Push the Limit: Harley-Davidson Racing Season 2 follows select King of the Baggers racers throughout the 2023 season, including the most successful racer in MotoAmerica King of the Baggers history, Factory Harley-Davidson pilot Kyle Wyman.

Wyman won seven races during the 2023 King of the Baggers season and finished third in the season championship. Wyman has won 14 of 26 events since the start of the series in 2021 and earned the 2021 championship. King of the Baggers 2023 and defending champion Hayden Gillim, and racers James Rispoli, Travis Wyman, Cory West, Jake Lewis, Patricia Fernandez-West, Frankie Garcia, and others also appear in the docuseries.

The MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series offers exciting competition between American V-Twin touring motorcycles that have been prepared for competition and equipped with a fairing/windscreen and saddlebags. The 2024 season was expanded to 18 races over nine double-header weekends held in conjunction with the MotoAmerica Superbike Series. The season’s first races were held in Daytona the first weekend of March.

For the 2024 season, the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team is sponsored by Mission Foods, Rockford Fosgate, Brembo, Öhlins, Protolabs, SYN3 lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts and Accessories.

2024 MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers Remaining Schedule
(Two races each weekend)
April 12-13: Circuit of The Americas – Austin, Texas (Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas)
April 19-21: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, Ga.
May 31-June 2: Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wis.
June 14-16: Brainerd International Raceway – Brainerd, Minn.
July 12-14: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, Calif.
August 16-18: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio
September 13-15: Circuit of the Americas – Austin, Texas
September 27-29: New Jersey Motorsports Park – Millville, N.J.

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I’m going to make a statement here that may offend some, but so be it.

Only a soulless non-player character (NPC) could get into an Alfa Romeo – any Alfa Romeo – and not have a smile on their face, because the smile actually emanates from the heart.

Such is the effect of Alfa Romeo’s charismatic Italian cuore sportivo or sporting heart.

And so it is with the Giulia Veloce. From the moment one lays eyes on it to the drive itself, you’ll know that you’re in the presence of something truly special.

There’s no other premium sedan in its price range that will put a similar smile in your heart and on your face. Nothing. Especially in the test car’s bright Alfa White. Boy, does it turn heads.

Esterno

From the shield that hangs from the bumper’s top to lower lip to the two ‘wings’ in a nod toward the days of Alfa Romeo Avio, this is a distinctly Alfa Romeo face.

Adding to the front-end dramatics is a refreshed look courtesy of the new ‘trilobe’ matrix LED headlights which replace the xenon units of the pre-facelift version, and is definitely a welcome change. Those ‘trilobes’ also house sequential turn signals, and are a pretty sight to behold at night.

Ensconced into the top of the shield is what is arguably the most ornate and expressive logo in the automotive world, with the Visconti family’s coat of arms in the centre and “Alfa Romeo” script curving its way from nine o’clock to three.

Fun fact – back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, ne’er-do-wells used to nick metal Alfa Romeo badges off bonnets and bootlids, and have them turned into belt buckles, such is the draw of that logo.

Telephone-dial style rims are de rigueur for Alfa Romeo, and the Giulia Veloce smartly wears its 19-inch items with AR-mark staggered Pirelli P Zero tyres, with 225/40 R19 in front and 255/35 R19 at the back.

With 280hp on tap, it needs the wider rubber in the rear. Yep, you read that right. Which other rear-wheel drive premium sedan in its class and price range has 280hp or more? Nada.

Further hinting at its performance and peeking out from behind those telephone-dial rims are red four-piston Brembo callipers in the front and single-piston sliding callipers in the rear.

The Giulia Veloce is sleek and rounded from the front and side profiles.

Move to the back, and one finds a perky rump, bracketed by tinted LED taillight housings and underscored by a black diffuser that houses dual tailpipes.

Make no mistake, this Alfa means business. See the ‘Q2’ badge on the boot lid? More on that later.

Interno

Swing the boot lid open to reveal 480 litres of boot space.

Need more? The rear seatbacks fold down in a 40-20-40 split to accommodate longer items. See, practicality doesn’t have to take a backseat (ha ha!) where a sporty sedan is concerned.

Alfa Romeo is one of a very small number of car brands which can pull off a red leather interior without coming across as vulgar, and this red leather plays perfectly with the Alfa White paintwork on the outside, and black and silver trims and black headlining on the inside.

If only two people are riding back here, an armrest folds out from the middle seat for more comfort.

Rear legroom is just about adequate for my longer-of-limbs and shorter-of-torso 1.82-metre tall frame with the driver’s seat adjusted all the way back and up, so more average-sized folks shouldn’t have an issue back here.

Two aircon vents keep rear occupants nice and cool, while a solitary USB Type-A port helps with mobile-device charging duties. It would have been nice to have two USB ports, but hey, Italians dance to the tune of their own music.

The front seats are decidedly sporty and bolstered appropriately.

This is useful when it comes to stringing a set of bends in the road together, for they are electrically adjustable with two memory positions for the driver, and offer myriad adjustments, even for the bolsters, to better conform to and hug pretty much any body shape.

This then allows the perfectly-sized steering wheel, adjustable for reach and rake, to fall naturally to hand.

The engine start/stop button is on the steering wheel itself, which is a nice touch.

The formerly-analogue instrument cluster is now replaced by a 12.3-inch full-TFT screen, which Alfa Romeo calls ‘Cannocchiale‘ or ‘telescope’, probably because the instrument cluster surrounds resemble a public-viewing telescope situated at the top of very tall skyscrapers like the Empire State building.

Having grown fond of the analogue dials of the pre-facelift Giulia, I’d been unsure of the shift to a TFT screen. After having spent two days with the car, I’m happy to report that it has been implemented very well.

Three types of instrument faces, namely Evolved, Relax and Heritage, are available via a button on the wiper stalk. Heritage harks back to the Alfa Romeos of yore, but I found Evolved to be my favourite. Relaxed is minimalist and will appeal to some.

If you’re looking for tech up the wazoo, look elsewhere. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available in the 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which can also display performance gauges. In my estimation, this works perfectly for those who prefer technology to be in the background and unintrusive.

In a nice touch, Alfa Romeo has implemented directional instructions from Waze on the infotainment system to be shown on the instrument screen.

Physical climate controls (hooray!!!) proudly sit below the infotainment screen and offer dual-zone aircon, and a small cubby and two cupholders sit below that.

The Italian Tricolore features behind the gear lever to remind you that you’re in something Italian and special. Beside that sits the electronic parking brake rocker switch.

Here’s where I found a small fly in the ointment – there’s no auto-hold brake functionality in the Giulia Veloce, which would have come in handy during a purely street-driven route. I’d to resort to activating the parking brake manually instead.

Three driving modes are available courtesy of the ‘dna’ dial. Dynamic or ‘d’ puts the engine and gearbox into their sportiest mode. Natural or ‘n’ is best for daily driving duties and offers a more relaxed response, while Advanced Efficiency or ‘a’ mutes everything even more for slippery situations.

Most of my drive was done in ‘n’, with a few choice situations calling for ‘d.’

A rotary dial sits perfectly ahead of the centre armrest and can be used to control the infotainment screen. I found myself using this dial more often than the touchscreen during my drive because it works so well.

The wireless charger for mobile phones is also situated just below and ahead of the centre armrest, which is a convenient spot to simply drop one’s phone into.

Guidare

The first thing one notices on the move is that the fixed-rate suspension is decidedly sporty in its setup, especially over the bumpiest of roads. However, it never gets uncomfortable and starts to make more sense as speed increases.

The second item of note is that the steering is extremely direct, to the tune of around two turns lock-to-lock. This is a point-and-squirt sedan for all intents and purposes, and one quickly acclimatizes to how quickly the Giulia Veloce’s nose can be steered in the intended direction of travel.

Aiding this is what the ‘Q2’ badge on the boot lid hints at – a mechanical limited-slip differential or LSD in the rear.

Most cars come with open differentials for cost savings. The downside is that while on-throttle in a turn, the inner wheel can slip and spin uselessly, turning engine torque into tyre smoke. An LSD limits this slip, hence its name, and directs more torque to the outer wheel.

The result is the rear end of the car rotating to help with turn-in. You don’t have to be going fast to feel it either, for the LSD makes its presence pleasantly known in slower tighter corners and u-turns.

Stick the gearbox into manual mode, and bang through the gears via the gorgeous steering column-mounted shift paddles and listen to the two-litre turbo engine wail the Alfa Romeo symphony at full throttle.

Then, as you approach a bend, go hard on the brakes, drop it down a couple of cogs and gradually tip in the throttle as you steer through the bend for the LSD to rotate the rear end.

The Giulia Veloce will dance through the corner with its Pirelli P Zeros angrily gripping the tarmac, and you’ll come out the other side grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

If that doesn’t ignite a roaring inferno of life force in your heart, I don’t know what will.

Speaking of brakes, the Giulia Veloce has a brake-by-wire system where the pedal is connected to a sensor instead of directly to the brakes. In the Stelvio Veloce I reviewed in 2021, I remember that it was a bit tricky to brake smoothly with this system.

However, here in the Giulia, I’d completely forgotten that this is a brake-by-wire setup and didn’t realize until the writing of this article. It feels natural here, and kudos to the engineers who made it so!

pure street (bottom left), mostly highway (bottom right)

Not only will it do the sporty driving bit with aplomb, but stick it into ‘n’ mode and it will also be a good daily driver. Alfa Romeo claims 7.7 litres/100km or 13.0km/litre WLTP consumption, and I was able to better this at a weighted and normalised average of 6.94 litres/100km or 14.4km/litre.

Drive smooth folks, not slow. As usual, your mileage may vary based on use-case and driving style.

Someone commented last week that the Giulia Veloce is not a true Alfa Romeo. I’d argue otherwise.

Look, we cannot expect Alfa Romeo to build rough and raucous, yet engaging cars like the GTV6, 75 or even the Giulia from the 60s or 70s any more because hardly anyone would buy them, and Alfa Romeo would go bankrupt.

Cars these days are expected to be more refined and with more safety features. With that in consideration and compared to the rest of the players on its field, the Giulia Veloce stands head and shoulders above the rest with oodles of Alfa Romeo-ness.

It is unique-looking. It turns heads. It turns into corners in a way that would make professional performance drivers delighted. And most of all, it is still an Alfa Romeo.

So, who is it for? Let’s momentarily put aside automotive enthusiasts who know that one isn’t a true enthusiast until one has owned an Alfa.

Are you tired of living like an NPC? Would you like to re-ignite the Fire of your Soul and feel from your heart once again?

Head down to the Alfa Romeo showroom, take a test drive and watch as the Flame of Life erupts from within your once-dormant but now-active cuore sportivo or sporting heart.

Why? Because the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce is Cuore Sportivo.

Check out our Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce TikTok video here.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Technical Specifications

Engine: 1,995cc inline four-cylinder turbo
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Drive: rear wheels with mechanical limited-slip differential
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
0-100km/h: 5.2 seconds (claimed)
Kerb Weight: 1,520kg
Fuel Capacity: 58-litres
Energy Economy: 7.7-litres/100km or 13.0km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$279,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Alfa Romeo Singapore

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