Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm 2021 first drive

A new GTA model wouldn’t be true to its name without some exotic weight-saving measures, and they’re present in abundance. Along with most of the additional body parts, the bonnet, front wings and roof are all made of carbonfibre. 

At 100kg, the overall weight saving isn’t quite as significant as you might expect. Still, the 1580kg Giulia GTA is lighter than the Audi RS5 (by 147kg), the BMW M3 Competition (by 170kg) and the Mercedes-AMG C63 S 4Matic+ (also by 170kg). 

The more hardcore Giulia GTAm takes the savings a step further with lightweight plastic rear door panels, polycarbonate rear windows, Sabelt carbonfibre-shell front seats, nylon door pulls in place of the standard handles and the removal of the rear seating. Even with the addition of a rear roll cage, Alfa Romeo says these measures trim a further 40kg from the kerb weight, taking it down to 1540kg.   

Under the lightweight bonnet, the Giulia GTA uses the same Ferrari-designed and -developed turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine as the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Power is up by 30bhp to 533hp through the adoption of new conrods, additional oil injectors, a revised oil cooler, tweaks to the software controlling the turbocharger and, most obvious of all, an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system featuring twin centrally mounted tailpipes. Torque, however, remains the same at 443lb ft.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF-produced eight-speed gearbox and electronically controlled differential, both of which receive unique mapping specific to the new headlining Giulia model.

Further changes are focused on the Giulia GTA’s chassis. It receives tracks that are 25mm wider at the front and 50mm wider at the rear, together with new mapping for the electromechanical steering and a lowered double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension with firmer springs and dampers as well as beefed-up anti-roll bars, among other detailed changes. Bespoke 20in forged alloy wheels with a centre-locking nut wear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, 265/30 ZR20 up front and 285/30 ZR20 at the rear.

More memorable than the straight-line performance is the sound delivered by the Akrapovic exhaust system. Raspy at lower revs, it builds in volume and character, eventually emitting a full-blooded growl at the business end of the dial. You also get some rather entertaining pops and crackles on the overrun in more sporting driving modes.

Flashy, fast and loud it may be, but the root of the Giulia GTA’s driving appeal lays in the response and overall consistency of its handling. There is a lovely fluid feel and true engagement to its dynamic qualities, whether tooling around town or charging along at speed on deserted back roads. It connects with the driver on a level unmatched by any previous Alfa Romeo model and, dare I say, any current four-door rival, building confidence with each mile.

It is not demanding when pushed hard, either. Rather, it rises to the occasion with a stunning combination of sharpness and precision from the steering and the sheer composure of the chassis, which makes it highly predictable as you work up to the limits.

There is a small degree of body roll on turn-in as weight transfers to the outside wheel, but the car telegraphs any movement well with a highly progressive action that is quickly checked by superbly matched damping.

Despite strong front-end grip, the Giulia GTA ultimately understeers when you carry too much speed in to tighter corners, but it is wonderfully adjustable and accommodating on the throttle. A sharp lift instantly tightens the line without any white-knuckle excitement from the rear end. Switching off the stability control system opens up a whole new dimension to the handling, with lurid oversteer on offer for those willing to chase it on a circuit.

The brakes are no less impressive. The standard-fit carbon-ceramic Brembo system mates 390mm diameter discs with six-pot calipers up front and 360mm diameter discs with four-pot calipers at the rear. There’s some initial slack at the top of the pedal before they really begin to bite, but once they do, the new Alfa Romeo wipes off speed with all the intent of a proper race car.   

As a reflection of the car's abilities, Alfa Romeo says the Giulia GTA has lapped its 3.6-mile Bolocco test track, on the outskirts of Milan, 4.07sec faster than the Giulia Quadrifoglio. You might also be interested to know that both Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi were brought in to sort the chassis during the final phases of development. F1 breeding, then.

However, the real achievement is Alfa Romeo’s success at matching the heightened handling to a level of ride that offers genuine compliance.

One look at tyres, essentially semi-slicks developed for the track, suggests a far less comfortable driving experience than the Giulia Quadrifoglio is on offer here. But there is evidence that the Giulia GTA actually delivers a more controlled ride than its standard sibling over certain roads. There is some harshness over smaller high-frequency bumps at lower speeds, but it copes exceptionally well with larger potholes at speed. It can’t hide road roar, though, which tends to build quite appreciably on less than smooth surfaces.