One-of-12 Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio NRING for sale

Even nearly 10 years later, the record-breaking Giulia Quadrifoglio lap of the Nurburgring remains essential viewing. Some similar cars have gone faster since September 2016 (though not many), but few have been quite so memorable. Not only was test driver Fabio Franca dressed like he was on a tourist day rather than a momentous PR occasion (which probably made the achievement all the cooler), he drove like he was evading the law. It was fast, furious, flamboyant, and entirely fitting for a car demonstrating that the German way wasn’t the only way to make a fast saloon. 

Soon after the Giulia, the Stelvio repeated the feat for SUVs, meaning Alfa Romeo – which not long before had been selling only MiTos and Giuliettas – had two Nurburgring class champions on its hands. The usual suspicions were raised about Alfa timing Alfa’s laps using Alfa’s cars, but it was clear that the pair of Quadrifoglios were properly sorted. And monster fast. 

A celebration was in order to mark the occasion, which became the Giulia and Stelvio NRING special editions. There were just 216 in total, 108 of each variant as they were launched in Alfa’s 108th anniversary year. While the lap time (and approach) might have led buyers to believe that the special edition would be equally exuberant, the opposite was true: Circuit Grey was the only colour choice. Unique to the NRINGs at least, though perhaps not what was expected. The really silly stuff was being saved for the GTA…

There were useful changes for the limited run Quadrifoglios to make the ‘most loyal Alfa Romeo customers’ fork out the extra £20k required, including ceramic brakes, the Sparco shell seats and some additional carbon. Hardly a drastic overhaul, but some worthwhile upgrades nonetheless. Both Alfas, of course, looked great in grey with carbon and red accents inside, because they’d look great in any colour combo. 

According to the advert for this one, just 12 right-hand-drive Giulia Quadrifoglio NRINGs were made, so it’s even rarer than might be expected. There are probably more RHD GTAs out there, in fact. This 2019 example is number 97 of the 108 made, with just 15k showing for seven years of driving. So it looks immaculate (and still as suave as ever), though the premium always carried by the NRING surely means they’re always going to live pampered lives. It’s a car for collectors first and foremost, and surely treated as such – otherwise you’d get the excellent standard car for significantly less.

Having launched at more than £80k, the NRING Giulia is now for sale at £64,995, or about the same as one of the very latest used examples with 520hp and the new diff. But you probably knew that already. Specials like this have never been about rational choice; it’s about having it because you want it and because it offers something no other edition can. In this case it’s the colour, and an association with one of the greatest onboards ever. The perfect machine for a tribute trip to the Nordschleife, in fact…

Engine: 2,981cc, twin-turbo V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 510@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 443@2,500rpm
MPG: 34.4
CO2: 189g/km
First registered: 2019
Recorded mileage: 15,350
Price new: £82,500
Yours for: £64,995