Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Retakes Nürburgring Saloon Lap Record
Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio has reclaimed the Nürburgring Nordschleife production saloon lap record, setting a time of 7 minutes 32 seconds with its automatic gearbox.
Alfa Romeo has reclaimed the Nürburgring Nordschleife production saloon lap record with the Giulia Quadrifoglio, posting a time of 7 minutes 32 seconds. This run, completed with the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, puts the Giulia back ahead of the Porsche Panamera Turbo, which had set a 7:38 time earlier in 2016.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s earlier benchmark, set with a manual gearbox, stood at 7:39. Porsche’s Panamera Turbo then briefly claimed the title, but Alfa Romeo’s return to the track with the automatic-equipped Giulia has cut seven seconds off its own previous best. The improvement is attributed to the automatic transmission’s rapid shifts, claimed at 150 milliseconds in Race mode, outpacing any manual effort.
Test driver Fabio Francia was behind the wheel for the record-setting lap. The car used for the attempt was fitted with the optional automatic, which is now available alongside the standard six-speed manual. The 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 remains unchanged, producing 510hp and 600Nm of torque. The engine is related to Ferrari’s V8 architecture and is a key part of the Giulia’s appeal to performance saloon buyers.
Transmission Technology Makes the Difference
The shift from manual to automatic was decisive. While the manual-equipped Giulia had already set a strong time, the automatic’s quicker gear changes delivered a clear advantage on the demanding 20.8km circuit. Alfa Romeo’s Race mode for the ZF transmission claims gear changes faster than most drivers can manage, helping to extract maximum performance from the V6.
What It Means for Alfa Romeo and Rivals
For Alfa Romeo, regaining the Nürburgring record is both a marketing coup and a demonstration of the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s technical credentials. The time puts it ahead of German rivals in the fastest four-door category, at least for now. Buyers focused on outright performance will see the automatic as the more capable option for track use, though some enthusiasts may still prefer the engagement of the manual.
The record is likely to stoke further competition. Porsche and Mercedes-AMG have both shown willingness to return to the Nordschleife to defend or reclaim records. For now, Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio stands as the fastest production saloon around the ‘Ring.
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