Alfa Romeo has officially marked the start of its celebrations commemorating 75 years of collaboration with the Carabinieri by participating in the prestigious “Arma 1814 Ski Challenge,” which concluded on February 1 in Selva di Val Gardena. At the heart of the event, a Giulia Quadrifoglio in institutional livery—recently delivered to the Carabinieri—stood as a symbol of the enduring bond between the iconic Italian brand and the nation’s famed law enforcement force.
The partnership, which began in the 1950s with the legendary 1900 M “Matta,” has spanned decades of societal change and technological evolution. Today, it is embodied in the new Giulia Quadrifoglio: a high-performance sports sedan distinguished by the Quadrifoglio Verde emblem. Built for reliability, safety, and agility, it is tailored to meet the operational requirements of the Carabinieri while reflecting the very essence of Alfa Romeo’s sporting heritage.
The “Arma 1814 Ski Challenge” transformed the Carabinieri’s most challenging alpine exercises into a public sporting spectacle. The event featured an intense schedule that included the launch of sports paratroopers, a sharpshooter competition, simulated rescue missions with dogs and helicopters, and thrilling displays by the Carabinieri fanfare. For Alfa Romeo, the event offered the perfect opportunity to honor a historic collaboration and demonstrate the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s operational versatility and performance.
Santo Ficili, Alfa Romeo CEO, reflected on the milestone, saying: “Seventy-five years of togetherness with the Carabinieri represent a bond that goes beyond mere collaboration. Alfa Romeo and the Carabinieri have always shared the same values: dedication, courage, Italian excellence. We are deeply proud of this anniversary, which demonstrates renewed commitment to putting the best of our technology and our passion at the service of those who protect this country on a daily basis.”
The Carabinieri’s General Commander, Salvatore Luongo, added: “The unbreakable bond with Alfa Romeo represents not only an alliance between Italian automotive excellence and institutional operational efficiency, but a technical and value partnership that guarantees a vigilant and increasingly effective presence across the country. Alfa Romeo cars strengthen our operational capacity, providing reliable, high-performance, and technologically advanced vehicles that are essential for the Carabinieri to perform their everyday duties. Over 75 years, they have become a symbol of emergency response, offering citizens the certainty that the Carabinieri are always ready to protect the community.”
From the Matta in 1951 to the ’60s Giulia—used in the pioneering “Gazzella” mobile radio units—through Alfetta, 90, 75, 155, 156, 159, Giulietta, Giulia, Tonale, and now the Giulia Quadrifoglio, Alfa Romeo vehicles have played a crucial role in supporting the Carabinieri’s operational demands. Many of these cars are now proudly displayed at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, in the “Alfa Romeo in Uniform” section, inaugurated in 2020 during the brand’s 110th anniversary celebrations.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio, recently delivered with specialized equipment for the rapid and secure transport of organs and blood, epitomizes Alfa Romeo’s commitment to combining performance with social responsibility. Beneath its sculpted bonnet, the 520-hp 2.9 V6 engine delivers exhilarating power, complemented by carbon-fiber accents and a carbon-ceramic braking system that reinforces the sedan’s racing-inspired DNA. It is, as always, a vehicle that connects the thrill of driving with functional excellence.
The “Arma 1814 Ski Challenge” also showcased the Carabinieri’s commitment to sustainability, safety, and protection of Italy’s natural heritage—a commitment that will be vital during the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Around 250 athletes, including participants from the Italian Armed Forces, international police units, and the Paralympic Sports Group, competed in cross-country skiing, ski mountaineering with precision shooting, and giant slalom, highlighting both athletic skill and operational readiness.
Through events like the “Arma 1814 Ski Challenge,” Alfa Romeo and the Carabinieri continue to celebrate a shared history of courage, excellence, and technical innovation. Seventy-five years on, the partnership remains as vibrant and dynamic as ever, with the Giulia Quadrifoglio leading the way as a modern symbol of Italian automotive and institutional excellence.
