The golden era of the DTM touring car championship peaked in the early 1990s, and the race cars from that period have since earned legendary status in the automotive world. Revival projects honouring that era keep appearing — perhaps the most well-known being the HWA Evo restomod based on the Mercedes-Benz 190E. But German machinery wasn’t the only thing turning heads on DTM circuits back then. One of the brightest stars of the championship was the Italian Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI — and now, Italian coachbuilder SGT Automobili has brought that spirit back to life.
What Is the 55 by SGT?
The project is called 55 by SGT, and it’s not a classic restomod. Instead of reviving an old car, SGT Automobili has used the modern Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio as its donor platform. While this may seem like a departure from authenticity, it’s worth noting that the original Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI wasn’t exactly what it appeared to be either.
The Legacy of the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI
The standard Alfa Romeo 155 debuted in 1992, and it was met with a cool reception from brand loyalists:
- It was built on the Fiat Tipo front-wheel-drive platform
- It offered a relatively mundane 525-litre boot
- Neither trait sat comfortably alongside Alfa Romeo’s sporting heritage
Despite that rocky start, the 155 quickly spawned performance variants, culminating in the full-blown 155 V6 TI racing car. Introduced in 1993, the 155 V6 TI shared only its body silhouette with the road car — everything underneath came from Ferrari’s Formula racing division. The result was devastating: the car won its debut DTM season, claiming victory in 12 out of 20 rounds.
How the 55 by SGT Pays Tribute
Like its ancestor, the 55 by SGT is far more than meets the eye. SGT Automobili has comprehensively transformed the Giulia Quadrifoglio with:
- A widened carbon fibre body kit styled after the original 155 V6 TI
- Redesigned front and rear ends with retro-style lighting
- A reinforced body structure using carbon fibre and carbotitanium — the same material found in Pagani Zonda hypercars
- A 25% increase in body rigidity as a result of those structural upgrades
Two Versions, One Radical Vision
The 55 by SGT is available in two specifications:
Stradale (Road)
- 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 620 hp — 100 hp more than the standard Giulia Quadrifoglio
- All-wheel drive with a dedicated drift mode that sends all power to the rear axle
- Kerb weight of 1,590 kg
Trofeo (Track)
- The same V6, pushed to 750 hp and 800 Nm of torque
- Race-specification chassis and braking components
- Additional aerodynamic elements generating up to 460 kg of downforce
- Reduced kerb weight of 1,490 kg
Both versions feature the same all-wheel-drive system with drift mode, giving drivers the best of both worlds.
Interior: Built for the Race Track
The cabin of the 55 by SGT makes no attempt to pass as a luxury saloon:
- The rear bench has been removed to accommodate a roll cage
- Racing bucket seats are fitted up front
- A bespoke carbon fibre centre console features motorsport-style toggle switches
- The cabin is trimmed in carbon fibre, leather, and Alcantara, with red accents throughout
Price and Exclusivity
Projects of this ambition don’t come cheap. The 55 by SGT is priced at approximately €500,000 — excluding the donor vehicle. Production will be strictly limited to just 55 units, with 10 of those reserved as a special “Welcome Edition” available only to select customers. Four of those ten have already been sold.
The 55 by SGT is a rare example of modern engineering and historical homage done right — blending contemporary performance with the unmistakable visual DNA of one of DTM’s most iconic racers.
Photo: Alexey Byrkov
This is a translation. You can read the original article here: Alfa Romeo Giulia превратилась в ретроболид DTM
Published July 03, 2026 • 4m to read
