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Alfa Romeo Giulia 2015: From the Arese Reveal to the Cassino Line
The Alfa Romeo Giulia (type 952) was revealed on 24 June 2015 at the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese, on the brand's 105th anniversary. Only the Quadrifoglio was shown, with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 of 375 kW (510 PS). Clear pictures of the cabin appeared about four weeks later. Sales began in February 2016, and production at Cassino is due to run until the end of 2027.
Key takeaways
- Revealed on 24 June 2015 in Arese, in Quadrifoglio form only.
- Quadrifoglio: 375 kW (510 PS), 600 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, 307 km/h.
- On sale from February 2016; series production at Cassino officially from 19 April 2016.
- In October 2025 Alfa Romeo said the Giulia would stay in production until the end of 2027.
The June 2015 reveal and the first cabin pictures
Alfa Romeo had promised a rear-wheel-drive saloon to replace the 159 for years, as our note on the long wait for the Giulia explains. The anniversary event showed the top version's exterior and little else.
Our report of 21 July 2015 described the first good photos of the interior: leather and carbon-fibre trim, a dashboard screen and two-zone climate control. One detail needs correcting. Early cars used a rotary controller for the screen, and a touchscreen only arrived with the 2020 update.
Giulia Quadrifoglio figures from the launch
The V6 was widely reported to have been developed with input from Ferrari engineers.
| Item | Giulia Quadrifoglio (2015 data) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 (690T) |
| Power | 375 kW (510 PS) at 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 600 Nm from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (Europe) or 8-speed ZF automatic |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive, Giorgio platform |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.9 s (maker's figure) |
| Top speed | 307 km/h |
The old report was right about both gearboxes; a dual-clutch option was announced and later dropped. The new Giorgio platform later carried the Stelvio SUV too.
The rivals Alfa Romeo targeted
The Giulia was aimed at the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A4, and the Quadrifoglio at the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C 63. The manual Quadrifoglio lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:39, and the automatic did 7:32 in September 2016, a record for a saloon at the time.
Cheaper versions followed: a 2.0-litre turbo petrol with 147 kW (200 PS), or 206 kW (280 PS) in the Veloce, and a 2.2-litre diesel from 136 to 210 PS.
What happened to the Giulia after 2015
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 2016 | First cars on sale: 2.2 diesel and Quadrifoglio |
| 19 April 2016 | Official start of series production |
| 2 March 2020 | GTA and GTAm announced: 500 cars with 397 kW (540 PS) |
| 2020 | New centre console and touchscreen infotainment |
| Late 2022 | Update for the 2024 model year: matrix LED lights, digital dials, Quadrifoglio at 382 kW (520 PS) with a mechanical limited-slip differential |
| May 2024 | Quadrifoglio Super Sport, 275 Giulias |
| October 2025 | Production confirmed at Cassino until the end of 2027 |
Euro NCAP awarded five stars with a 98 % adult-occupant score, a record at the time. The full model story, engines and versions are on our Alfa Romeo Giulia (952) page.
The Giulia in 2026 and buying advice
In October 2026 the 952 is still on sale in Europe and Japan, eleven years after the reveal. Alfa Romeo's CEO said in October 2025 that the successor is unlikely to appear before late 2027, with production not expected before mid-2028.
Buyers now get a mature car with a long parts supply. The 2.2 diesel suits high-mileage drivers, the 2.0 turbo suits town use, and the Quadrifoglio is the enthusiast's choice; post-2020 cars have the better cabin. Estimate running costs with the cost of ownership calculator, and set the Giulia against German rivals in the comparison tool. Other models from the brand are listed in the Alfa Romeo catalogue.
FAQ
When was the Alfa Romeo Giulia 952 revealed?
Alfa Romeo revealed it on 24 June 2015 at its museum in Arese, as part of the brand's 105th anniversary. Only the Quadrifoglio appeared that day.
How powerful is the Giulia Quadrifoglio?
At launch its 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 gave 375 kW (510 PS) and 600 Nm. The update for the 2024 model year raised the output to 382 kW (520 PS).
Did the first Giulia have a touchscreen?
No. Early cars had an infotainment screen that the driver worked with a rotary knob on the centre console. A proper touchscreen only came with the interior update of 2020, five years after the reveal.
Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia still made?
Yes. In October 2026 Cassino still builds it, and Alfa Romeo has said production will continue until the end of 2027 before a new generation arrives.
