Alfa Romeo and Alfa Romeo Classiche are celebrating the heritage of the sports saloon, or 'berlina sportiva', at the Auto e Moto d'Epoca 2026 event held at BolognaFiere from 22 to 25 October. The sports saloon concept has anchored Alfa Romeo's core identity since the 1950s, bridging the gap between track-focused engineering and road-going four-door practicality. To mark more than sixty years of this lineage, the Italian marque has brought together four defining vehicles that demonstrate the technical and competitive progression of the format.
The display features three historic competition models sourced directly from the Heritage Hub Italy collection, which are ordinarily exhibited at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese. Alongside these vintage motorsport legends sits a contemporary limited-edition saloon. In addition to the physical machinery, the BolognaFiere stand serves to showcase Alfa Romeo Classiche's official preservation operations, highlighting client services such as the Certificate of Origin, the Certificate of Authenticity, and dedicated Restoration support.
Exterior Styling, Platform & Dimensions
The progression of Alfa Romeo's design language is visible through the differing styling and aerodynamic solutions featured across the four display vehicles. The 1963 Giulia TI Super introduced a lightweight body shell wearing the historic Quadrifoglio emblem, retaining the classic three-box silhouette of the production saloon while stripping away unnecessary mass for competition duties. Moving into the late 1980s, the 1975-derived Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo Evoluzione embraced aggressive aero modifications, incorporating custom boxy flares, front air dam updates, and extended aerodynamic bodywork designed specifically to meet Group A racing regulations.
By 1996, the 155 V6 TI 'ITC' pushed touring car aerodynamics to an extreme track-only level, featuring wide composite arches, profound front splitters, and extensive downforce surfaces sculpted for the International Touring Championship. Contrasting with these purpose-built racing profiles is the modern 2024 Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport. This contemporary edition carries dedicated carbon-fibre exterior components, 19-inch dark-finish alloy wheels, and a historic design milestone: an unprecedented reinterpretation of the Quadrifoglio triangle emblem finished over a black background rather than the traditional white field.
Powertrain, Performance & Specifications
Under the bonnet, the quartet outlines over six decades of engine downsizing, forced induction, extreme revving capability, and modern forced-induction performance. The 1963 Giulia TI Super relied on an agile 1.6-litre twin-cam engine delivering 112 hp, which achieved early competition success including a class win at the 1963 Tour de France - Auto. The 1987 75 Turbo Evoluzione shifted the marque into turbocharged touring car competition, matching a 1,762 cc twin-cam turbocharged engine with an intercooler to a balanced rear transaxle layout and a De Dion rear axle.
The 1996 155 V6 TI 'ITC' brought extraordinary high-revving power to the racetrack, powered by a bespoke 90-degree V6 engine engineered to lower the chassis' centre of gravity. The unit generated 490 hp at nearly 12,000 rpm. Today, modern road performance is represented by the 2024 Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport, equipped with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 520 hp, sent to the asphalt via a mechanical limited-slip differential.
| Model | Engine / Displacement | Power Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 Giulia TI Super | 1.6-litre Twin-Cam | 112 hp |
| 1987 75 Turbo Evoluzione | 1,762 cc Turbo Twin-Cam | Not Disclosed |
| 1996 155 V6 TI 'ITC' | 90-degree V6 | 490 hp @ ~12,000 rpm |
| 2024 Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport | 2.9-litre V6 | 520 hp |
Cabin, Infotainment & Interior Technology
Interior configurations across the showcase span stark motorsport cockpits to modern premium craftsmanship. The historic competition machines focused strictly on weight savings and driver functionality, stripping passenger conveniences to allow privateer and works teams to maximise performance. The Giulia TI Super pioneered this weight reduction program straight from the factory, making it an immediate favourite for race preparation.
In contrast, the 2024 Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport demonstrates how competition heritage translates into a modern road cockpit. It balances high-performance track capability with everyday usability. The cabin is appointed with distinctive red 3D carbon-fibre interior trim across key touchpoints, and every model features an individual production number badge to highlight its exclusivity among the production run.
Trims, Safety Suite & Availability
Exclusivity defines every vehicle chosen for the BolognaFiere exhibition. The 1963 Giulia TI Super was originally capped at just 501 examples to meet competition requirements following its April 1963 unveiling at Monza. Similarly, the 1987 75 Turbo Evoluzione was manufactured in a limited run of 500 units to secure Group A homologation for the 1987 World Touring Car Championship.
The contemporary Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport remains equally rare, with production strictly limited to 275 examples worldwide. The special series pays tribute to Alfa Romeo's inaugural win at the 1928 Mille Miglia by the 6C 1500 Super Sport. Pricing details, standard driver-assist suites, and specific regional safety scores were not disclosed in the exhibition announcement. Outside the Alfa Romeo display, event visitors can also view two historic models from sister brand Lancia at the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) stand: the 1907 Alfa Sport and the 1972 Fulvia HF 'Fulvia-14'.
AkulRide Verdict
The Auto e Moto d'Epoca 2026 showcase provides a clear, uninterrupted look at the 'berlina sportiva' lineage that defines Alfa Romeo. From the lightweight agility of the Giulia TI Super to the near-12,000 rpm scream of the 155 V6 TI, the four models highlight an uncompromising commitment to dynamic performance. By anchoring the 520 hp Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport directly to its homologated ancestors, Alfa Romeo effectively validates its modern road cars through a storied and authentic motorsport heritage.
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