Factually, expert Alfa man Marcel Loporto was with me on this drive, one of the more exciting ones this year. We all know that Alfa have seen some mean times, and it took me many years to forgive them for producing the fabulously handling Alfa Sud out of such poor materials that most of the many imported into Malta have dissolved in puddles of rust.
From the outset, it must be pointed out that our model came with the adjustable dynamic self-adapting suspension. This makes local motoring far more satisfying, as the enjoyment levels are set in stone, or the electro mechanical equivalent.
When any driver is enjoying 170 bhp of power and a 0-100 km/h elapsed time of only 7.3 seconds it’s vital that the car handles extremely well, but just as importantly, stops just as fast as is necessary in any high-speed [219 km/h] sports car, whether open to wind in the hair excitement, or in this case, closed car comfort and engineering bliss.
This great five-seat, two-door marvel, taking up little over four metres, is right there with the more interesting models
The Brembo braking system with red callipers and white logos is not only a visually pleasing addition to the wheel centres, but a remarkably quick way of safely coming to a halt from pleasantly high speeds. Or if necessity demands, at far less braking distance from 40 or 50 km/h than our delightful Highway Code advises.
Alfa has enjoyed a reputation for designing absolutely fabulous sporting vehicles from the mid-1920s of the last century, and this great five-seat, two-door marvel, taking up a little over four metres of space, is right there with the more interesting models.
All-round visibility is good. I seem to always raise a driver’s seat and lower the steering wheel to get the most satisfactory driving position and in the Alfa the outside mirror on the drivers side was critically adjusted as I found the ‘B’ pillar causing a blind spot when I wished to look over my shoulder to the right when moving off.
I often wonder how modern cars would behave without the mass of electronic and computer-controlled devices that help to keep us on the black top. The Quadrifoglio Verde seems remarkably adept at keeping where an enthusiastic driver wishes to be in relation to the road, and for that matter, other vehicles.
This all implies that the average driver who never explores either their own or their car’s limitations will motor along sublimely oblivious to the fact that this five-seat sports saloon has been developed for the driver to explore new limits without of necessity being remotely dangerous to self, car or other road users. There is absolutely no point in buying a car with such sterling attributes unless the partly forgotten art of enjoying your motoring is still of real importance.
Driving should always be pleasurable, even if driving something of a ‘banger’ in loused-up motoring conditions. This Alfa simply reinforces this idea to a far greater extent.
I was pleased to learn that there was a space saver spare wheel, always useful when faced with very low-profile tyres on Transport Malta’s or even Council roads.
The gear shift indicator was neither here nor there in my motoring wanted list, however, the central arm rest was a nuisance as it had to be lifted for the safety belt to be engaged easily. Not much of a niggle, but easily overcome if the belt support cable was a few centimetres longer.
The electronic power steering was as near perfect as makes no difference and Cruise Control would be great on long, boring journeys. On test day the weather was perfect, so the dual-zone, automatic climate control was mostly left off and windows opened.
I am always conscious of the foot pedals and by choice always have aluminium pieces, so it was great to find them as a standard bit of the equipment, including a pleasantly large aluminium foot rest to the left of the clutch pedal. The aluminium kick plates, visible when the doors are open, are sheer perfection as are the Quadrifoglio Verde badges in their satin finish on the front wings.
The twin exhaust pipes are chromed, the rear sports bumper has a darkened diffuser and the front air dam around the fog lights is darkened. I think tinted glass should be restricted to the windscreen; and I can happily live without the privacy glass – but what the heck.
Yes, this is my type of car if I may be subjective for a moment. It’s exciting, vibrant and inherently safe as well as beautiful.
Verdict
Comfort
This depends on the road, even with dynamic suspension, so it is anything between 3 and 5 stars.
Performance
Nothing to complain about here.
Quality
In class, absolutely 5 stars all the way.
At a glance
Top speed
219km/h.
0-100km
7.3 seconds
Economy
Combined cycle, 5.9 litres for every 100 km travelled.
C02
124 g/km.
Engine
1.4-litre MultiAir
Power
Developing 170 bhp and 250 Nm of torque
Dimensions
Length 4,063 mm, width without outside mirrors, 1,720 mm and height 1,446 mm.