Alfa Romeo made a total of just 500 units of the Giulia GTA and GTAm, and they’re already sold out. CarWow got his hands on the rare model for a drag race against the standard Giulia Quadrifoglio. See what a difference the extra power and reduced weight make when they go head-to-head.
The GTA and even more the hardcore GTAm still use a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 like the Giulia Quadrifoglio. However, output rises to 533 horsepower (398 kW), up from 505 hp (377 kW) in the four-leaf clover model. The engine looks mean as the special model comes with an Akrapovič titanium exhaust.
34 Pictures
GTA stands for Gran Turismo Alleggerita, which means Grand Touring Lightened in English. According to official specifications, it weighs 221 pounds (100 kilograms) less than a Quadrifoglio. Although CarWow quotes the difference as 309 pounds (140 kilograms).
Alfa claims the GTA can hit 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 3.6 seconds. Official specs say the Quadrifoglio needs 3.8 seconds to reach this speed.
Although this video focuses on straight-line performance, the GTA should also be a better-handling machine than the Quadrifoglio. Front and rear track widths are 2.0 inches (50 millimeters) wider. Alfa also overhauls the springs, shock absorbers and suspension bushings.
The GTAm was the more track-focused model. It has no rear seats. Additionally, there is a roll bar and six-point harnesses. The vehicle is still homologated for the road.
Alfa Romeo did not offer the GTA in the United States. He sold the majority in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Australia received 18 copies and Japan 88 copies.
This video indicates that the GTA and Quadrifoglio have finicky launch control. The system appears to allow excessive wheel spin. The solution is to hold the brake pedal a bit to manage off-line traction. All of a sudden, the GTA really shows its edge when it comes to straight-line performance.
The next-gen Giulia will tone down the combustion engines in favor of being available as an electric vehicle only. The timing of the launch of the new model is not yet clear. Alfa aims to become an electric-only brand by 2027.
