This Alfa Romeo fan has designed a helicopter inspired by his Giulia Quadrifoglio: it costs nearly three times as much as the car

When some enthusiasts of’Alfa Romeo While some restore vintage Giulias or collect Alfa Romeo models, Paul Ressle has chosen a much more unexpected path. The founder of the Bavarian company Evocopter has designed an ultralight helicopter directly inspired by his own Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Unveiled at the Pista & Piloti event, held at the TRIWO test facility in Pferdsfeld, Germany, the prototype certainly didn’t go unnoticed. Amid more than 200 classic, sports, and race cars, this Quadrifoglio—capable of taking off—was sure to turn heads.

An Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio That Flies

Paul Ressle has been passionate about Alfa Romeo since childhood. His garage houses several classic models of the brand, as well as a current Giulia Quadrifoglio. It was this latter model that served as the inspiration for the first Evocopter ClassiX prototype. The visual resemblance is immediate. The fuselage is painted in Rosso Alfa, while the Quadrifoglio’s famous four-leaf clovers adorn the aircraft. Historic Alfa Romeo lettering completes the look. The inspiration extends into the cockpit, notably with the use of Alcantara and leather. Ressle explains that he wanted to make this first model a true declaration of love for Alfa Romeo—an approach that, incidentally, isn’t limited to aesthetics alone.

A lot of carbon fiber to keep the weight under 600 kg

Like the Giulia Quadrifoglio, the ClassiX makes extensive use of carbon fiber. In this case, this choice is primarily driven by a particularly strict weight requirement. The helicopter belongs to the ultralight category and must not exceed a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kg, including the pilot and any passenger. The fuselage, cabin, and rotor blades are therefore largely made of carbon fiber, while a tubular chrome-molybdenum steel frame provides the structural support. Unloaded, the ClassiX weighs as little as 367 kg. Its rotor has a diameter of 7.61 meters and can rotate at up to 530 rpm.

160 ch and up to 185 km/h

Unlike some ultralight helicopters, Evocopter has opted for a genuine, certified aircraft engine. The ClassiX is powered by a Lycoming O-360 J2A 4-cylinder engine with a displacement of approximately six liters, producing nearly 160 ch and 500 Nm. Cruising speed ranges from 130 to 150 km/h, while the maximum permitted speed reaches 185 km/h. The fuel tank holds 105 liters, and fuel consumption is reported to be approximately 27 liters per hour. Another interesting detail is that the fuel tanks are designed as impact-resistant, foam-filled soft bags—a solution inspired by technologies used in auto racing, particularly in Formula 1.

The price

Alfa Romeo Germany welcomed the project and invited Paul Ressle to present his aircraft at Pista & Piloti. For the brand, the ClassiX successfully brings together two passions: that for Alfa Romeo and that for aviation. The dream, however, comes at a price. Evocopter lists the ClassiX starting at around 290,000 euros before taxes, compared to 100,700 euros for a Giulia Quadrifoglio in Germany. That’s a hefty price tag for what will likely remain one of the most original Quadrifoglio models ever conceived for Alfa Romeo.