By Ewan Kennedy, Marque Motoring
This redhot Italian machine is taking on high-performance models from Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes at their own game.
Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) sports sedan is the real deal. Rear-wheel drive, Ferrari-inspired 500 horsepower (375 kW) twin-turbocharged engine that gets it to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
It reset the Nurburgring production sedan lap record at just seven minutes and 32 seconds.
After getting to the 100 km/h in the three-second bracket, it gets to a top speed on the far side of 300km/h.
Keeping weight down is a major way to increase performance and the QV has hot-formed steel, aluminium and carbon-fibre components to keep its mass down to 1525 kg. Having reduced weight the next challenge is to spread it 50:50 front to rear, something else the designers have achieved.
Quadrifoglio is Italian for four-leaf clover and has been the symbol for Alfa racing cars for almost 100 years. More recently, the tag has been given to its high-performance road cars.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio body has serious sports items that include a large central grille and air intakes, cooling slots on the bonnet and serious side skirts.
And possibly the most aggressive rear diffusers on the road today. It sits on19-inch forged alloy wheels
Thankfully our test QV was painted in a brilliant shade of red.
Inside, black leather-wrapped surfaces with red stitching are used in the upper area with a deep red shade in the lower section. Aluminium and carbon-fibre highlights add to the appeal.
Naturally there are traditional twin circular dials on the instrument panel, however they are too small for our liking. Easy enough to read, but not theatrical enough, we reckon.
The bright red starter button on the steering wheel is a great touch.
We just love the green four-leaf clover badge sitting between the V of the engine.
The 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 sits well back under the carbon-fibre bonnet, the peak 375 kW is reached at relatively low revs (low for an Italian machine) 6500 rpm. Redline doesn’t kick in till 7000.
Torque is what really matters and the engine has an impressive 600 Nm all the way from 2500 5500 revs.
Transmission is by a sports eight-speed torque convertor automatic to the rear wheels.
Alfa’s DNA (Dynamic, Normal, Auto) driving modes are crowned by a Race mode – sold only in the QV.
An 8.8-inch multimedia screen may sound large, but it’s way too skinny and the satellite navigation isn’t particularly easy to see because of that.
Satellite navigation and climate controls operate through a centrally mounted rotary dial that’s simple to use with minimum inattention.
A Harmon Kardon 14-speaker sound system sounds great and it’s almost worth parking the car in a scenic location during the early Sunday morning run on your favourite driving roads to fully appreciated it.
It’s no surprise that the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia has a five-star EuroNCAP rating. Major passive safety features include forward collision warning with autonomous emergency brake and pedestrian recognition, integrated brake system and lane departure warning.
Acceleration is brilliant. Dial up Dynamic mode and our red Alfa screaming off the line after only a few moments of turbo lag. Overtaking is ridiculously easy.
The sound of the V6 is muted by the turbochargers, a common problem, but it does reach more exciting levels when accelerating hard in D and R modes.
Handling is almost too good to explore on public roads. The hot Alfa simply holds on to levels that provide a huge amount of safety. Track days? Yep, that’s the way to go.
Feel through the steering wheel really lets you know what is happening and correcting the Alfa’s direction through even the tiniest movements on the wheel is superb.
Despite the excellent handling the QV’s suspension provides a surprisingly comfortable ride. Motorway driving is almost limo-like and backroad feel is fine.
Big bumps and dips on rough n’ ready Aussie backroads aren’t appreciated, though.
The front seats are genuine sports units with high bolsters to secure you when the seriously high cornering forces are called up. Indeed, it might be an idea to sign up for track days to really get the best from this ultra-hot Alfa.
Rear seats have enough legroom, but only just – compromise may be required between those in the front and rear.
The hard surface of the rear of the sports seats can make it difficult for the knees of the person sitting behind them.
Boot space is okay, but the loading area is on the small side, keep in mind this is a family sedan and this comment does have to be made.
A stunning Italian sporting machine has joined the ranks of hot European cars. “Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde” – very poetic, isn’t it? It certainly demands a spot on your short list.
For more information contact Berwick Alfa Romeo, 257 Princes Highway, Hallam. Phone 9554 0800.
Model range
Alfa Romeo Giulia QV 2.9-litre petrol four-door sedan: $143,000 (automatic)
