ALFA ROMEO Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde 2011-2016 Photos, engines & full specs

The four-cloves badge expressed the sportiest version of any Alfa Romeo model, and the Italian carmaker installed it on the Giulietta and transformed it into a pure-breed hot-hatch.

In 1923, Alfa Romeo prepared four cars for the most famous race from those times, the Targa Florio. The carmker gave them to four special drivers: Antonio Ascari, Giulio Masetti, Ugo Sivocci, and Enzo Ferrari (yes, THAT Enzo Ferrari). Inspired by the lucky four-cloves sign, they painted the badge on their race cars. Those were the most powerful Alfa Romeo vehicles available. Since then, the Italian brand used the same symbol only on the top versions of a model, like on the 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Designed to compete in the hot-hatch segment, the Giulietta was not only as beautiful as a compact hatchback might be but also aggressively styled by Lorenzo Ramaciotti from the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. The car was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor show and featured pearl-like LEDs for the DRL system included in the headlights. For the most potent version of the Giulietta, the carmaker offered unique 17" or 18" light-alloy wheels. In the rear, a roof spoiler and two exhausts placed on the splitter's outer side provided a clue about car's performances.

While the exterior wasn't that flashy, the interior was a different story. Its sport bucket-seats at the front featured a big Alfa-Romeo logo embroidered on the seatbacks, while the integrated headrests featured race-care-inspired aluminum cutouts. In the middle of the instrument panel, the carmaker placed an additional four-cloves badge.

Under the hood, the 1.7-liter turbocharged engine produced 240 hp and sent them to the front axle via a 6-speed automatic (dual-clutch) transmission fitted as standard. Alfa Romeo upgraded the gearbox with a launch-control function that led to better starting times than the previously used manual gearbox.