The Quadrifoglio versions are equipped with an extra mode on the DNA button,  “Race mode”. In Race mode, the Forward Collision Control and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are switched off, which is immediately visible on the instrument panel. But there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes.

In case of a Quadrifoglio, the exhaust valves open for more “sound”, the automatic gearbox switches to another program, the adaptive shock absorbers (if present) go up a notch, the Torque Vectoring goes into drift mode and the start/stop system is switched off.

Exactly the ingredients a real Alfa driver wants!

But unfortunately, not everyone is able to won a Q, so the question was quickly raised whether the Race mode could be built into a “normal” version.

To activate the Race mode, a DNA+R button of a Q must be mounted on a Euro 6B version. This is not mandatory for Euro 6D versions. But it is possible so that the word “Race” becomes visible on the button. But that doesn’t make Race mode work. The car must be made clear that it has a Race mode. We do this by adjusting the vehicle configuration.

But not all control units accept Race Mode. So far, we have the following “problems”.

1. In the first series, the paddle shifters do not work in Race Mode.
2. In cars with adaptive damping, the dampers become very soft at the front and very hard at the rear in Race Mode.
3. On Q4 models, the AWD system does not always accept the Race Mode configuration. This applies to the first series with SW version 0401.
4. The gearbox shifts the same in Race Mode as it does in Dynamic.
5. Cars with a narrow 3.5″ TCT screen do not have a yellow layout in Race Mode.
6. From MY2020 models onwards, the large screen no longer shows a yellow layout (with a very few exceptions).
7. The engine control unit can no longer distinguish between the 4 DNA modes and therefore always works as if the DNA is in Normal.

We have a solution for points 1) to 4. This can be done in the form of a software update or in case of point 4) tuning of the gearbox is the solution. We can’t solve point 5 except to mount an instrument panel with a 7 inch screen. Point 6) is only possible for a very small number of cars. Namely cars without AWD and without engine sounds.

Point 7) is difficult to understand. In practice, this means that we put the entire tuning in the N-position. But because the gearbox can still distinguish the modes, the difference in driving experience will still be there. Strong still, we personally think it’s even better. So don’t let this fact stop you from choosing Race Mode.

Summary. Adding Race Mode is always possible. But sometimes special upgrades have to be done to make it really work properly.