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Romeo, sweet Romeo … you need to hold onto your girl – Giulia.
All jokes aside, I was invited out to Detroit with the Alfa Romeoand Maserati group (astaple in FCA – Fiat ChryslerAutomobiles) and was able to experience the 2019 model year lineupof these vehicles. This manufacturer really knows how to bring the brand backto its cherished and sweet history.
Although the trip was relatively short, we were filled with entertainmentand Italian heritage, which is exactly what I needed while not even realizingit.
On the first day, I arrived and was greeted by FCA employees to bechauffeured to a quaint, boutique hotel. After a couple hours to get settled, Ithen moved over to a beautifully decorated venue called The Valley. TheAlfa Romeo and Maserati team truly pinpointed this location and transformed itinto a night in Tuscany. From the delectable hors d’oeuvres and passedcocktails, to the family-style buffet dinner and desserts. Followed, of course,by a whiskey tasting bar and craft cigar selection from Payne Mason Cigars.
Also, I am unsure of how they did it, but they managed to perfectly time thefire-flies as the sun was setting, all while sitting under a temperate sky.
Amazing work, friends. Amazing work, indeed.
Moving forward to the next day, a group of journalists and myself weretransported over to the M1 Concourse where we were greetedwith lattes, cappuccinos made by baristas from The Cappuccino Man andbreakfast treats; followed by a brief presentation by Alfa Romeo and Maserati GlobalCEO Tim Kuniskis, where he explained that the brand is aiming to stay pure andtrue to the companies heritage and roots.
After the driver briefing and mingling, we were able to hop into thevehicles in various capacities. This included an autocross course, streetcourse and on-track course where I was able to pilot the Maserati Quattroportesedan and race around the M1 Concourse racetrack. We peeled in and out of turnsto get the feel of a true racer, while being directed by our crew director,essentially. This part of the event allowed us see and feel what it was like tobe on-track and behind the wheel.
What a rush it was. Such a great time piloting this vehicle on a true trackand to get a glimpse of what it is like to be one of the professionals in theracing industry.
One of my favorite parts of the driving portion was getting behind the wheelof the 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia for the street course. On this drive, we were ledby a company specialist and she directed us around various cone exercises, aswell as allowing us to engage the Anti-Brake System (ABS).
During this time, we swerved in and out of obstacles to make it to thelineup to where we reached rapid speeds from a halted position to make a hard-leftturn to brake.
The Giulia was a light-weighted car compared to the Quattroporte and wasfurnished with a wood paneling and a beautifully adorned LED screen.
The trip was a great experience and very well thought out. The brand washighly recognizable from all directions, which was a strategic and brilliantmove.
I must say to the Alfa Romeo and Maserati group, “until next time. Ciao!”
Follow Shaun Melady on Instagram at@ShaunMelady.