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The Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio set a lap record at Silverstone with someone driving blind

Alfa Romeo announced today that its Giulia Quadrifoglio super sedan set a new lap record at Silverstone that nearly matched one put down by one of its Formula 1 cars in 1951. The F1 car set a time of 1:44, and the Giulia finished in 1:44.3. That may seem a bit slow for a modern 505-horsepower sports sedan, but it makes more sense when you realize the Giulia in question had black vinyl over the windows to keep the driver, Ed Morris, from seeing where he was going. Apparently Alfa thinks a clear view makes driving too easy. To get around the substantial handicap, Morris was assisted by directions from another driver in a following Giulia Quadrifoglio. The other driver, David Brise, radioed directions to Morris to get him around the track – and avoid crashing. Over the course of two days, the duo got the hang of it and set the aforementioned lap time. They even reached speeds of over 100 mph. You can see them practicing and setting the time in the video above. It was a cute record to set, but we're hoping blindfolded Nurburgring laps aren't next. Related Video:

Alfa Romeo working on seven-seat, mild-hybrid SUV

Alfa Romeo will kick off its next product offensive with an SUV larger than the Stelvio (pictured) being prepared for launch about two years from now. The people-hauler, built on the Stelvio's Giorgio platform (the same as the Giulia sedan), will be the first brand offering with an electrified drivetrain, and the largest vehicle Alfa Romeo has ever built. A report last year said the coming SUV would probably slot into the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE segment, however, the XL Stelvio has been benchmarked against the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90, and a seven-seater model is likely. Alfa Romeo Chief Technical Officer Roberto Fedeli opened up to Auto Express, saying that a larger, heavier SUV could embody brand DNA with the help of "a 48-volt mild hybrid solution." The near-instant get-up of an e-turbo would counteract weight gain expected to be around 440 pounds. Fedeli revealed Alfa Romeo's testing a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder with an e-turbo on a simulator, and said they "can achieve around 350 to 400 bhp." Right now, the standard Stelvio produces 280 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter. A larger model that opened proceedings at 350 hp would create enough separation between the Stelvio and a rival like the 333-horsepower Audi Q7 with the 3.0-liter six-cylinder. Were there a Quadrifoglio version, we'd imagine it would want to outdo the 505-hp coming from the four-leaf Stelvio. After the SUV launches, the next-generation Euro-market Giulietta bows. After that, perhaps a new 4C? This summer, Autoline Network reported that the 4C would die in 2020 due to lagging sales. Yet, according to Auto Express, Alfa Romeo execs are still deciding "whether to completely reinvent the Alfa 4C for its next generation with a new chassis architecture and engine." We know that a heavily tweaked 4C appears next year as a 2019 model, the revisions aimed at getting the coupe closer to what it should have been from the beginning, and Fedeli wants a halo car to pitch alongside Alfa Romeo's Sauber F1 sponsorship. A brand new 4C would be a lot to ask, although it appears the door isn't totally closed. Related Video:

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Utility Vehicle Spy Shots | Autoblog Minute

Latest spy shots of Alfa Romeo's utility vehicle, the Stelvio. Alfa Romeo SUV Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video alfa romeo stelvio