Nearly 110 years in, Alfa Romeo is still creating beautiful stallions that combine athleticism and elegance. To celebrate its 110th birthday, Alfa Romeo has unveiled the Giulia GTA, a model steeped in history and big on style.

GTA stands for "Gran Turismo Alleggerita". "Alleggerita" is an Italian term for lighthearted. The moniker can trace its roots back to 1965 when the Giulia Sprint GTA, a specific version derived from the Sprint GT, designed as a sports car and presented at the Amsterdam Motor Show.

Designers have added a wing to the back of the Giulia GTA.Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC

That model featured a Giulia Sprint GT with its traditional body removed and replaced by an aluminum version, which saved 205 kg. The car also had its engine production upped from the 115-horsepower as it was originally tuned to 170 horsepower. That weight savings, combined with the power boost, helped the car win numerous racing championships.

Alfa Romeo is hoping similar success will follow with the Giulia GTA. The automaker has taken notes from the modifications of the 1965 model, reducing the weight and upping the aerodynamic design elements of the new Giulia GTA. Engineering solutions came directly from Formula 1 thanks to Alfa's partnership with Sauber Engineering and the use of the Sauber Aerokit.

Standard equipment on the new model includes: side skirts; a rear spoiler; active front slipper; titanium Akrapovič central exhaust system that is integrated into the carbon fiber rear diffuser; and 20-inch center lock wheels; a larger front splitter; a real carbon rear wing; and fresh springs, shock absorbers, and bushings for the suspension system. The car's track has been widened 50 mm.

The cabin features the new features found I the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia.Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC

The car's 2.9-liter bi-turbo engine is made of aluminum and is capable of unleashing 550 horsepower in the new model. This is thanks to turning, with the engine being a carryover from the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifolgio. It can get to 62 mph from a standstill in 3.6 seconds.

Alfa Romeo's design team has given the car, which features the fresh changes made to the car for the 2020 model year, a number of enhancements including a 100-percent Alcantara dashboard, door panels, glove compartment, side pillars, and the central trim on the seats.

The new matte carbon inserts endow the interior with a distinctive technical and aesthetic elegance. In the new GTAm, the interior is unique in that it features a roll bar, no door panels or rear seats and the door is opened with a belt in place of the handle, another touch that comes from the racing world.

This model is a two-seater. The rear seating area becomes a upholstered "basin" that holds helmets and the fire extinguisher.

This car was born ready to race, which is evident by the seatbelts.Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC

Due to the loss of the seat as well as other enhancements, the Giulia GTA has slimmed 100 kg from the original weight of the model.

The car will be sold in two variants. The Giulia GTAm is the two-seater configuration approved for on-road use, with front splitter and larger visible rear wing in carbon, the ultimate expression of sportiness. In the GTA version, with the same power, Giulia offers four seats, no rear roll-bar; spoiler and splitter optimized for daily use on the road; the same door panels, seats and windows as those of the Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Alfa Romeo will sell just 500 versions of this new car. Tthe new owners will also receive a personalized experience package kit, which includes a Bell helmet in special GTA livery, a full racing set by Alpinestars (race suit, gloves and shoes), and a personalized Goodwool car cover for protecting his or her GTA or GTAm. Additionally, the Alfa Romeo customer experience also includes a specific driving course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.