[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Looks like the 3 series has a serious Italian contender and welcome back to your RWD roots Alfa Romeo!

Quadrifoglio Verde (M3 competitor)
EVO UK: http://www.evo.co.uk/alfa-romeo/giul...-car-for-years
Top Gear UK: http://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/a...dr/first-drive
CAR magazine UK: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-rev...o-2016-review/
Autocar UK : http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...io-first-drive
Automobile (US): http://www.automobilemag.com/news/20...-drive-review/
BBC Autos (UK): http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20160...ling-guilia-qv




Other variants (2.2 Diesel):
Auto Express UK: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alfa-ro...ia-2016-review
What Car UK: http://www.whatcar.com/news/2016-alf...et-180-review/

[Red Bread]

Be a good contender if it could pass safety tests and its parent company wasn't about to fall apart.

[trey100]

Besides the very recognizable front grille, the rest of the shape is a bit too organic. Performance seems good though. I think they are close but styling in my opinion isn't great. I feel like their 2nd generation will be where we will see the more complete deal.

And those annoying front-side mounted front plates seem to be the standard location on this car from the photos.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Looks like the 3 series has a serious Italian contender and welcome back to your RWD roots Alfa Romeo!

Quadrifoglio Verde (M3 competitor)
EVO UK: http://www.evo.co.uk/alfa-romeo/giul...-car-for-years
Top Gear UK: http://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/a...dr/first-drive
CAR magazine UK: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-rev...o-2016-review/
Autocar UK : http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...io-first-drive
Automobile (US): http://www.automobilemag.com/news/20...-drive-review/
BBC Autos (UK): http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20160...ling-guilia-qv

In Italian:
Al Volante: http://www.alvolante.it/primo_contat...a-quadrifoglio
Corriere dello Sport: http://www.corrieredellosport.it/new...ora_la_pista/#
Tutto Sport: http://www.tuttosport.com/news/motor...nima_la_prova/
Auto.it: http://www.auto.it/news/primi-test/2...rimo_contatto/


In German:
Auto Motor und Sport: http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/f...-11173721.html





Other variants (2.2 Diesel):
Auto Express UK: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alfa-ro...ia-2016-review
What Car UK: http://www.whatcar.com/news/2016-alf...et-180-review/

In Italian:
Auto Moto: http://www.automoto.it/prove/alfa-ro...pressioni.html
Corriere dello Sport: http://www.corrieredellosport.it/new...ta_del_diesel/
Ansa: https://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/no...8af40144a.html
Motori 24: http://www.motori24.ilsole24ore.com/...lia-diesel.php
Quattroruote: http://www.quattroruote.it/news/prim...o_come_va.html

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Before passing judgement on the car and after reading all of the reviews here's some information.

Engine is from the 488GTB, with 2 cylinders chopped. Again NOT derived from other FCA models, even from Maserati! The person who developed the engine, Philippe Krief, was hired from Ferrari. IMO that alone is worth considering getting the car. I don't believe anyone would think that its power will be overrated either...

Chassis is bespoke (NOT derived from other FCA models) and will be used for future RWD and AWD Alfas (Stelvio SUV). Looks like a sweeter chassis than the M3 on the limit.

Plenty of carbon fiber used: propshaft, hood and driveshaft as well as other bits like the seat backs, front diffuser etc. This is real carbon fiber not the cheaper carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

Like the M3/4, it can have a proper 6 speed manual. real drivers will appreciate this.

Has the Ferrari Electronically controlled LSD.

Design is subjective of course but the proportions are right, the detailing restrained (like what BMW's used to be) and the interior design is outstanding (simple and elegant). Quality might not be on par with the Germans but it looks to be as good if not better than Jaguar.


You can have a look at some beautiful pics on the US website: https://www.alfaromeousa.com/cars/al...a-quadrifoglio

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Plenty of carbon fiber used: propshaft, hood and driveshaft as well as other bits like the seat backs, front diffuser etc. This is real carbon fiber not the cheaper carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

What you are referring to as "real carbon fibre" is still CFRP.

[FC4]

Cool. Just like all those "iPhone killers" which came out over the years, it will soon be forgotten about...

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by metrickid

What you are referring to as "real carbon fibre" is still CFRP.

I was referring more to the industrial way BMW does their structural carbon fiber as per the below (I believe they still use woven carbon fiber for their visible parts such as the roof):

"BMW uses proprietary carbon fiber from SGL. They do not use an off-the-shelf product that SGL makes available for sale. And in addition, BMW uses a slightly unusual technique for building the carbon fiber cloth. It is not woven (as can be seen in the close-up of the carbon fiber cloth) but rather is composed of fiber bundles running in the same direction and sewn together. BMWBLOG believes that this is one of the keys to the quick cycle times in the CFRP press. By keeping the cloth strand oriented in a single direction per layer you decrease the time required to flow resin into the cloth."

Alfa uses hand laid woven carbon fiber, which result in a more high-end product

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by FC4

Cool. Just like all those "iPhone killers" which came out over the years, it will soon be forgotten about...

Well, Iphone killers are strongly present in the market now with Samsung and other android-based phone manufacturers.

One can argue that Apple since the passing of Steve Jobs have not launched anything significant...

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

I was referring more to the industrial way BMW does their structural carbon fiber as per the below (I believe they still use woven carbon fiber for their visible parts such as the roof):

"BMW uses proprietary carbon fiber from SGL. They do not use an off-the-shelf product that SGL makes available for sale. And in addition, BMW uses a slightly unusual technique for building the carbon fiber cloth. It is not woven (as can be seen in the close-up of the carbon fiber cloth) but rather is composed of fiber bundles running in the same direction and sewn together. BMWBLOG believes that this is one of the keys to the quick cycle times in the CFRP press. By keeping the cloth strand oriented in a single direction per layer you decrease the time required to flow resin into the cloth."

Alfa uses hand laid woven carbon fiber, which result in a more high-end product

BMW are smart, why on earth would you put a nice finish on something that will be painted and/or never seen?

[FogCityM3]

Read the reviews...doesn't really sound like an M3 killer in terms of overall feel, if anything stands in between the "rawness" of the M3 and the more luxurious C63. Weighs more, interior is ok, and external styling reminds me too much of a Pontiac Grand-Am. However if the 7:3x Nurburgring time is correct, that is amazing performance that can only be bested by the M4 GTS for a much higher cost. Will be interesting to see the comparos including lap times!

[FC4]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Well, Iphone killers are strongly present in the market now with Samsung and other android-based phone manufacturers.

One can argue that Apple since the passing of Steve Jobs have not launched anything significant...

Sure.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Some pics of the QV...

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Those (optional) carbon front seats are

[RM7]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Alfa uses hand laid woven carbon fiber, which result in a more high-end product

If you are referring to the 3k "weave" where you have the bundles at 90 degrees, that's just for looks. That's not how you make the strongest and most efficient carbon fiber structure and much of the time that is just the top-layer, used to give it that visual effect. You'd be all up in arms though if your carbon fiber trim didn't have that cool checkered look, right?

So they hand lay it, and then they use the vacuum bags and autoclave?

If you are going to talk about "real" carbon fiber, know what you are talking about...

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

A real test of the Diesel version. The car looks much nicer than in the photos...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=sVRoFuzE_Ug

[RM7]

This is a good kick in the rear to BMW and I hope it gets them to make better cars. If not, an Alfa might be in my future...

[FogCityM3]

Those pics look a lot better. The interior actually looks well thought out and differentiated, I really can't stand the iPad type NAV screens that are all the rage these days.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

more pics...

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

If you are referring to the 3k "weave" where you have the bundles at 90 degrees, that's just for looks. That's not how you make the strongest and most efficient carbon fiber structure and much of the time that is just the top-layer, used to give it that visual effect. You'd be all up in arms though if your carbon fiber trim didn't have that cool checkered look, right?

So they hand lay it, and then they use the vacuum bags and autoclave?

If you are going to talk about "real" carbon fiber, know what you are talking about...

Why do people need to lecture other people in this forum? I don't know if they use 1X1 or 2X2 twill weave or any other kind: it will depend of what part they want to make and what loads the part will be submitted to. I'm pretty sure the large parts (roof + hood) are made by TTA (Tecno Tessile Adler) where they make the carbon tubs for the Alfa 4c. And yes I'm talking about the classic way to make carbon fiber parts with vacuum bags and autoclave, not the industrial way BMW make their parts with SGL.

[u2b]

[/u2b]

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

more pics...

Last 2 interior photos are from the "non QV" versions. Here are more pics of them... Not too shabby for base models I'd say...

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

Looks like the 3 series has a serious Italian contender and welcome back to your RWD roots Alfa Romeo!

Quadrifoglio Verde (M3 competitor)
EVO UK: http://www.evo.co.uk/alfa-romeo/giul...-car-for-years
Top Gear UK: http://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/a...dr/first-drive
CAR magazine UK: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-rev...o-2016-review/
Autocar UK : http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...io-first-drive
Automobile (US): http://www.automobilemag.com/news/20...-drive-review/
BBC Autos (UK): http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20160...ling-guilia-qv




Other variants (2.2 Diesel):
Auto Express UK: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alfa-ro...ia-2016-review
What Car UK: http://www.whatcar.com/news/2016-alf...et-180-review/

Alfa has had great cars for years and yet the 3er is still around.

Its great that BMW has some serious competition because that is what will drive BMW to build better cars. While BMW sales are in a bit of a slump at the moment, I don't think any brand is going to displace the 3er anytime soon.