Alfa Romeo's special limited-production NRING editions of the Giulia Quadrifoglio and Stelvio Quadrifoglio are now available for ordering and they come with newly announced additional details including 'FCA Heritage' certification and a scale model as well as clothing and accessories.
Ever since it was first opened in 1927, the Nürburgring has represented the essence of motor racing: its unique track layout through the forests, its endless bends, its variable bumps, gradients and descends as well as its popularity with the crowds have made the German track a promised land to fans and the setting for epic feats.
The many pages in the Green Hell's almost a century of history include exciting contributions from Alfa Romeo, which nurtured its myth through a wealth of victories and memorable records at the Nürburgring.
Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the first SUV in the brand's history, holds the record for its segment, having completed the 20.832 km of the Nordschleife in 7 minutes 51.7 seconds. This makes it the fastest amongst SUVs, equipped with an outstanding 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine with 510 HP and torque of 600 Nm powering a top speed of 283 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio has a lap time of 7'32", achieved thanks to its handling, top speed of 307 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio "NRING" and Stelvio Quadrifoglio "NRING" Nürburgring Limited Editions have been created to celebrate this historic bond, recently given new life by the new Quadrifoglio models' thrilling performances. The same bond is also reflected in an inspiring set of photographs showing the two cars in the context best suited to their characteristics, on the 'Ring's most iconic bends and its most emblematic sections, including the famous Caracciola-Karussell.
Limited edition collectors' models are now available for order
Available, for the EMEA region, in an edition of just 108 of each model and intended for collectors and the most loyal Alfa Romeo customers, the new limited editions have exclusive contents, such as the numbered badge in the carbon fibre dashboard insert, and the unique Circuito Grey livery, exclusive for this limited edition.
In addition, standard equipment on the "NRING" special series is full specs and includes carbon-ceramic brakes, Sparco racing seats with red stitching and carbon shell structure, Mopar automatic transmission knob with carbon insert, leather and Alcantara steering wheel, also with carbon inserts. The front badge and the rearview mirror caps are made of carbon fibre, like the side skirt inserts.
Not to mention tinted windows, Adaptive Cruise Control, the Harman Kardon premium audio package, and the Alfa Connect 3D Nav infotainment system with 8.8'' screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB.
The Giulia premieres the new bare carbon roof, and Stelvio is equipped with electrically operated panoramic roof. Both have mats with red logo developed by Mopar.
Power and technology
On the Stelvio, for the first time, the 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo powerplant is combined with the Q4 all-wheel drive system while both cars also incorporate Alfa Chassis Domain Control, which coordinates all the on-board electronic systems, to deliver the best performance and driving pleasure at all times. Specifically, the system manages and simultaneously assigns specific tasks to the various active systems, such as Q4 all-wheel drive (on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio), Alfa Active Torque Vectoring system, Alfa Active Suspension, ESC and Alfa DNA Pro selector with Race function.
The Torque Vectoring technology optimises Stelvio and Giulia's drive distribution and accentuates their sporting character. The two electronically controlled clutches in the Torque Vectoring system make it possible to control torque delivery to each wheel separately. This ensures the optimal transfer of power to the ground in all driving situations. This makes the Stelvio safe and fun to drive at all times, without recourse to intrusive inputs from the stability control system.
The 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, supplied as standard, is specifically calibrated to shift in just 150 milliseconds in Race mode. The transmission has a lock-up clutch to give the driver a powerful, precise feeling of in-gear acceleration. Depending on the DNA mode set, new auto 'box optimises fluidity, comfort and ease of driving in all environments, including around town, and further improves fuel efficiency and cuts CO2 emissions.
So the excellence on offer is not just in performance: both the Alfa Romeo sports SUV and the sedan are also efficient in terms of emission and fuel efficiency, thanks also to their electronically controlled cylinder deactivation system and the sailing function, available in Advanced Efficiency driving mode.
Last but not least, to maximise the driving experience, they are both equipped with paddle shifters machined from solid aluminium which are integral with the steering column.
A total, unique experience
Alfa Romeo has created a truly premium experience for the 216 purchasers of the Giulia Quadrifoglio "NRING" and Stelvio Quadrifoglio "NRING" Nürburgring Limited Editions.
The purchasing experience begins even in the run-up to delivery, as the car's arrival is preceded by consignment of a numbered model to scale 1:18.
There is another surprise in store when the car is collected: on board, the purchaser will find the "Welcome Kit", comprising Sparco racing gloves and customised soft shell jacket, sports bag in the Alfa Romeo pattern, "Quadrifoglio" cuff-links and the original footwear created by Car Shoe, Alfa Romeo licensee for the "Quadrifoglio" capsule collection. In leather and technical fabric, the shoes are inspired by race boot design and carry the symbol that most effectively embodies the Alfa Romeo brand's highest performances.
Finally, Stelvio Quadrifoglio "NRING" and Giulia Quadrifoglio "NRING" owners will be able to attend, during 2019, a sports driving technique course on the Nürburgring circuit. A specific telephonic concierge service will assist NRING customers throughout their Alfa Romeo experience.
Certification
To celebrate the birth of the new limited edition the NRING versions will have specific "Authenticity Certification" issued by FCA Heritage, the department that promotes the historic record of the FCA Group's Italian brands.
The decision to provide these special editions with "Authenticity Certification", normally only issued for historic cars, immediately gives them genuine "Instant Classic" status, placing them amongst the vehicles ranked as collectors' items (and safe investments) as soon as they hit the market, due to their exclusiveness, performance and limited production runs.
Every owner will receive a kit comprising the authenticity certificate issued by the constructor, a numbered certification plaque matching the car's chassis number, a book of photographs and the technical specification.
Alfa Romeo at the Nürburgring
The new special limited editions consolidate the bond between a brand and a legendary circuit.
The first of Alfa Romeo's many victories on the Green Hell was recorded in 1932 by Rudolf Caracciola, driving a Gran Premio Tipo B, who won ahead of two other Alfa Romeos with Nuvolari and Borzacchini at the wheel.
Three years later it was the "flying Mantovan" himself who starred in a breath-taking race: driving an Alfa Romeo Tipo B on the verge of retirement, he outclassed his adversaries even from the qualifying stages and achieved a crushing victory in the German Grand Prix.
It has not just been Formula 1: from the Fifties, Alfa Romeo became a key competitor in the Tourism class, with the Giulietta Sprint Veloce, and it consolidated this dominance in the next decade with the Giulia TZ, Giulia TZ2, Giulia Sprint GTA, GTA 1300 Junior and 1750-2000 GTAm, which recorded a long succession of overall and class victories in top races including the 1000 Km, the 500 Km and the 6 Hours.
The Giulia Sprint GTA is also remembered for the record of 9' 59.7" set by Andrea De Adamich, the first time a GT car with an engine of less than 1600 cc broke the 10-minute barrier.
While the GTA models were unrivalled in their class, Alfa Romeo entered the World Championship for Makes with the new Tipo 33: two victories in 1968 and 1969, in the two litre class, and two world championship titles, in 1975 and 1977. In 1975, Merzario and Laffite won seven of the season's eight races, including victory at the Nürburgring.
Another great Alfa Romeo win dates from 1993, when the 155 V6 TI driven by Nicola Larini came home victorious: without a success at the Nürburgring, the DTM title would have been incomplete.
Video: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio NRING & Stelvio Quadrifoglio NRING
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