ALFA D.N.A. SYSTEM CHALLENGES ELITE ‘PARKOUR’ ATHLETE ON ROAD AND ICE

David Faithful
12 December 2013
Club News

  • Signature ‘Alfa D.N.A.’ driving mode selector now standard on all Alfa Romeo models
  • Alfa D.N.A. driving modes adjust vehicle settings so it can adapt to the prevailing driving conditions
  • To put the system to the test, Alfa Romeo has challenged elite parkour athlete Ronnie Shalvis, to the ultimate agility test on both road and ice
  • Alfa Romeo launch national advertising campaign with augmented reality smart phone app Aurasma.
  • To view the Parkour video please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3KpoUtrCxU

Alfa Romeo’s signature Alfa D.N.A. driving mode selector features across the entire 2014 Alfa Romeo range as standard, regardless of engine or trim level.

The 2014 Alfa MiTo and 2014 Alfa Giulietta will feature the driving mode selector with three distinctive settings – ‘Dynamic’, ‘Natural’ and ‘All-Weather’ – while the Alfa Romeo 4C supercar has an additional fourth setting specifically for track driving: ‘Race’ mode!

To mark the range update, Alfa Romeo teamed up with one of the world’s elite parkour athletes, Ronnie Shalvis, to put the Alfa D.N.A. system to the ultimate agility test. In the sequence, Ronnie takes on both Alfa MiTo and Alfa Giulietta in the ultimate urban playground, pitting man against machine on both road and ice surfaces to see who has the greater control of their environment.

Ronnie Shalvis commented: “With parkour, you have to adapt to varying and challenging environments, whilst remaining agile and dynamic. If you fail to respond to a situation or mistime a move, it could result in serious injury. When everything works together, though, and you nail those difficult manoeuvres, it’s an amazing feeling! Making the film with Alfa Romeo was a fantastic experience and I think it really demonstrates how having that control of your environment lets you stay safe but also have a lot of fun.’

Damien Dally, Head of Brand, Alfa Romeo UK, noted: “The Alfa D.N.A. system ensures that every 2014 Alfa Romeo can adapt to the prevailing driving conditions, varying the cars numerous dynamic characteristics from power delivery to steering feel and VDC stability control intervention. Despite its sophistication, the driver only has to simply flick the switch to select the appropriate driving mode and the car will take care of the rest.”

About Alfa D.N.A.:

The Alfa D.N.A. system lets drivers manually select from one of several different driving modes depending on the road conditions: ‘Dynamic’, ‘Natural’ and ‘All-Weather’, as well as ‘Race’ in the Alfa Romeo 4C. Once a mode is selected, Alfa D.N.A. then automatically adjusts settings for throttle response, power delivery, power steering assistance, VDC stability control and braking Pre-Fill. Where fitted, ALFA TCT gear-changes and adaptive suspension settings are also adjusted.

DYNAMIC

‘Dynamic’ mode provides a more immediate throttle response, by making fifty percent of the engine’s torque available within the first 10 percent of pedal travel. Pre-Fill braking is activated to boost braking performance and more steering weight is added for a sportier, more involving drive. In addition, the electronic dynamic and stability systems (VDC, DST, ASR) become less intrusive and for models fitted with the ALFA TCT gearbox, the gearshift characteristics are reconfigured.

 

NATURAL

Natural mode is designed for everyday driving with the performance levels drivers expect from an Alfa Romeo but delivered more progressively with optimum fuel consumption.

ALL-WEATHER

In All-Weather mode Alfa’s VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) system is more intrusive whilst ASR (Anti-Slip Regulator) is lightened, allowing the wheels to slip and gain traction in icy conditions. Models equipped with ALFA TCT can also pull away in second gear, further helping avoid wheel spin.

RACE (Alfa Romeo 4C only)

Activated by holding the selector forward whilst in ‘Dynamic’ mode, ‘Race’ mode puts the driver completely in control, disabling stability control (re-engaging only under emergency braking) and ASR. Alfa’s Q2 differential control remains active. ‘Race’ mode allows drivers to push the Alfa Romeo 4C to its limit on the track.

For more details visit: www.alfaromeo.co.uk

Source:ARUK

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