Giulia Quadrifoglio

Make
Alfa Romeo
Segment
Sedan

How much did your alarm cost? We had a quick look on Walmart's website and the best-selling alarm clock retails for $6.20 but normal people just use their phone.

The people of Milan have a more expensive alarm clock. It costs $12.2 million, but, to be fair, it can do a lot more than just annoy you until you finally decide to leave the comfort and safety of your bed. It has a top speed of 220 mph and can lap Monza in 1:21.197 seconds.

That's right, folks. The people of Milan use an F1 car as an alarm clock. Or at least they did for one day. On 24 June 2022, at exactly 5.30 am in the morning, Valtteri Bottas hooned his Alfa Romeo F1 car through the empty streets of Milan. And not because he could, but specifically to wake people up.

Why? Because that's the exact date and time Alfa Romeo turned 112 years old.

Why Milan? Because that's where Ugo Stella and Nicola Romeo decided to start an automotive company on the morning of 24 June 1910. Anywhere else in the world people would be chucking rocks at Bottas, but we've been to Italy enough now to know that the Finnish driver likely received a standing ovation.

Bottas started his lap of Milan at Piazza Duomo, passed through Piazza San Babila, Porta Nuova, the majestic Central Station, and then the City Life district to end its city tour right at Gattamelata, a place of strong historical significance.

That's where Alfa Romeo decided to set up its first production site in 1910. It's now home to the Italian brand's flagship store.

Exactly 112 years ago, the world was introduced to Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili. The name was later abbreviated to Alfa, and Romeo was added after one of the founders.

Alfa's history with F1 racing stretches back further than even Ferrari. Enzo Ferrari actually started his career in racing at Alfa Romeo. And this year Alfa is doing particularly well in the F1 midfield battle. Last year its driver only managed to score three points during the entire season, but this year Bottas is already on 46 points and eight overall in the championship.

While the manufacturing side isn't doing as well, it continues to churn out consistently amazing products like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.