Alfa Romeo and Abarth Triumph at the “Motor Klassik Awards 2016”

The readers of the German magazine "Motor Klassik" have crowned the brand-new Alfa Romeo Giulia as "Future Classic" in the "mid-size" category and Abarth 595 in the "small" category, the latter for the second year running. Alfa Romeo 4C was the winner in the "coupé" class for the third time in a row. The title of "Classic Car of the Year" went to the rare 1930s Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring luxury sports car.

The award ceremony of the "Motor Klassik 2016" competition organised by the German specialised motoring magazine with a readership of over 22,000 experts, most of whom are classic car owners, took place at the Dyck medieval castle, a short distance away from Düsseldorf, yesterday evening.

The survey, divided by model category, aimed at identifying what current cars have the potential of becoming timeless icons - or "Future Classics", in their words. The accolade is an important indicator of the collectable car trends of tomorrow.

This year's champions were Alfa Romeo and Abarth and their winning models confirm the everlasting allure of Italian design and racing-inspired technology. This is what the readers of the German magazine thought by electing the new Alfa Romeo Giulia as "Future Classic" in the "mid-size" category and Alfa Romeo 4C in the "coupé" class, the latter for the third time in a row. Abarth 595 successfully reconfirmed the title won last year in the "small" category. Alfa Romeo also earned a "Classic Car of the Year" title with the 8C 2900B Touring, an extremely rare 1930s sports car and arguably one of Alfa Romeo's most beautiful cars ever.

Some eighty years separate the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B from today's Alfa Romeo 4C and Alfa Romeo Giulia but the models still have some crucial features in common. For instance, all three transfer the best technology developed for racing to the road. The chassis and the eight-cylinder engine of the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, in particular, derived from the successful versions used in competitions. Similarly, the modern Alfa Romeo 4C and Alfa Romeo Giulia have components originally developed for Formula 1.

An example is the carbon fibre (monocoque) cockpit which, together with the ample use of aluminium and special composite materials, allows the Alfa Romeo 4C to achieve an empty weight of just 895 kilograms and a weight-to-power ratio of less than 4 kilograms: a record even for a supercar.

Furthermore, the engine of Alfa Romeo 4C is a four-cylinder direct injection turbo with a displacement of 1750 cubic centimetres that delivers 240 HP.

The new 2.9-litre petrol BiTurbo engine developed for Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is the ultimate expression of the "meccanica delle emozioni" concept. Inspired by Ferrari technologies and engineering skills, the engine is entirely made of aluminium and delivers 510 HP of power and over 600 Nm of torque. Performance is exhilarating: top speed of 307 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.9 seconds. The generous use of ultra-light materials (such as carbon fibre, aluminium and aluminium composite and plastic material) and the adoption of exclusive features, such as the Active Aero Splitter which actively manages downforce at fast speed, are also taken from the world of racing.

Abarth 595 also has racing car DNA. The name itself is homage to one of the most successful racing cars of the 1960s which contributed to the fame of car tuner and maker Carlo Abarth. The classic Abarth 595 reaped win and after win with its (modest to today's standards) 32 HP engine, while its modern counterpart unleashes up to five times more power for an exhilarating driving experience. Available in sedan or convertible, the Abarth 595 range features three trim levels ("Elaborabile," "Turismo," and "Competizione"), three power levels of the 1.4-litre T-jet engine (140 HP, 160 HP, and 180 HP) and two transmissions (five-speed manual or robotised sequential). Abarth 695 Biposto, known as the "smallest supercar," completes the line-up. Delivering 190 HP, the car secures the thrills and technology of a real racing car on everyday roads.

The third title for Alfa Romeo 4C, the second success for Abarth 595 and the first victory of Alfa Romeo Giulia add to the FCA prize record placing the brand at the top of the "Motor Klassik Awards" ranking. Titles won in the past include those of Alfa Romeo 159 and Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione in 2009, and those taken by Fiat 500 in 2012 and 2013. Worth remembering is the 1930s Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 named "Classic Car of the Year" by the readers of "Klassik Awards" in 2012.

Turin, 6 April 2016