It is a symbiosis of high-performance motorsport and professional sailing: Alfa Romeo has successfully completed the final aerodynamic tests of its latest special model, the Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa, at the traditional proving ground in Balocco, in northern Italy. This high-performance sedan is the first vehicle to emerge from the brand's own "Bottegafuoriserie" project.
This special model was created in close collaboration with the Italian sailing team of the renowned America's Cup. But anyone hoping to buy this high-performance sedan now is too late: the limited edition, consisting of just ten units and largely hand-built, has already sold out.
The latest test drives in Italy's Balocco, where Alfa Romeo has been testing its racing cars, including for Formula 1 and DTM, since 1962, focused on the newly developed aerodynamic package. The simulations, which were calculated in advance on the computer, were compared on the race track with the actual measured values and the impressions of the test drivers.
The technological heart of the Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa is represented by numerous carbon fiber body elements. The side aerodynamic profiles on the front spoiler deliberately increase the pressure on the front axle, while two additional chassis elements accelerate the airflow. Combined with the carbon sills that seal the area to the outside, this creates the "ground effect" phenomenon known from racing, which literally sucks the vehicle to the asphalt.
The distinctive carbon rear spoiler further improves airflow. The result of this engineering masterpiece: at a speed of 300 km/h, the sedan generates around 140 kilograms of downforce – a value that is around five times higher than that of the production model.
In addition to its technical focus, the design also reflects the close connection with the sport of sailing. The color scheme is a direct homage to the Luna Rossa sailing yacht, which will compete in the 2024 America's Cup in Barcelona. The hand-applied paintwork in an elegant grey colour imitates the visual effect of steel. The red side stripes, the red-painted 19-inch alloy wheels and the modified Alfa Romeo logos, which for the first time on this special model have a red background, create contrasts.
The roof, the brand logo on the front and the decorative mirror caps are made of visible carbon fibre. In some limited edition vehicles, the bonnet, roof and tailgate are also black. The nautical theme continues unabated in the interior.
The special padded sports seats, provided by Sparco, are reminiscent of the life jackets worn by sailing crews in terms of material and shape. A particularly exclusive detail is found on the dashboard: a thin foil is embedded in it, which exactly matches one layer of the sail of the “Luna Rossa”.
