Alfa Romeo will be celebrating its 110th anniversary this summer. To mark the occasion the automaker is releasing a special race-bred model that harkens to the brand’s track-bred legacy. Called the Giulia GTA, the model pays tribute to the 1965 Giulia Sprint GTA, which featured an aluminum body and numerous race victories. GTA is an acronym, standing for “Gran Turismo Alleggerita”, with alleggerita being the Italian term for “lightened”.
Two Flavors Of Fast
The special edition technically comes in two configurations: Giulia and Guila GTAm. The former is a four-seater that boasts chops for more regular use while the latter is more hardcore. It comes with just two seats, a roll bar and more aggressive aerodynamics.
Living up to the name, both versions have shed pounds, with 220 lbs. being removed compared to the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The savings come from a carbon-fiber driveshaft, hood, roof, front bumper, front wheel arches, rear wheel arch inserts. The material is also used on the GTAm’s race seat shells, which come with 6-point Sabelt safety belts.
Further lightweighting happens through the use of aluminum under the hood, in the doors and in the suspension components. Lexan was also used in the side and rear window frames, which helps, too. All told, the car tips the scales at 3,350 lbs.
With weight down, power has been bumped up. The Giulia’s 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo engine, made entirely out of aluminum, has a rating of 540 horsepower, up from the stock version’s 510 horsepower. That jump comes from advanced tuning and a titanium Akrapovic central exhaust.
Other enhancements include 20-inch center-lock wheels, making their first appearance on a sedan. There’s also a wider track and new springs, shock absorbers and bushings. The GTAm gets even more aggressive aero in the form of a larger front splitter and carbon rear wing.
Add it all up and with Launch Control, the GTA is reported to click off zero to sixty miles per hour times in 3.6 seconds.
Cabin Changes
Inside, the cabin is treated to Alcantara on the dash, door panels, glove compartment, side pillars and the central section of the seats. Step up to the GTAm and you get even more of the material. Where the rear seat once sat, Alcantara is used on the well, which has specific moldings to hold track day essentials: helmets and a fire extinguisher.
Other additions include new matte carbon inserts. On the GTAm, there’s no door panels or door handles, which are swapped out for a fabric belt.
Ready To Race
Just 500 of both the Guila GTA and the more radical Guila GTAm will be built. They’ll be special and destined for collectors, each coming numbered and certified. Ordering is now open and once the last car has been sold, each customer will get a special experience. New owners receive a helmet adorned in special GTA livery, an Alpinestars race suit and a personalized Goodwool car cover. They’ll also get to learn the ins and outs of their new ride in a special driving course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.
Pricing hasn’t been announced for the vehicles but with such extreme heritage, and capabilities, rest assured they’ll go fast.
