Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio review: Vital upgrades make sports sedan a contender

One of Italy’s oldest car makers has stepped in and built a car that is vacant from Ferrari’s range, and it is a delight to drive.

2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

Alfa Romeo has lived in the shadows of Italy’s better known car brands, but upgrades to its performance sedan make it stand out from the crowd.

Here is everything you need to know about the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

VALUE

Think of Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio as the four-door sedan Ferrari won’t build. Powered by a twin-turbo V6 development of the supercar marque’s award-winning V8 family, this Italian has a truly special motor. That approach helps you digest its high asking price (about $165,000 drive-away), eye-watering servicing bills ($5245 for 5 years) and tight-fisted three-year, 150,000 kilometre warranty. Updated for 2020, the Quadrifoglio benefits from changes including an improved infotainment system, nicer cabin, expanded driver aids and a $6950 price cut to $138,950 plus on-roads. All the ingredients for a range-topping performance car are in place — sticky Pirelli tyres, enormous brakes, multi-mode suspension and rear-drive with a torque-vectoring differential. It also has a lightweight carbon fibre bonnet, boot, roof and spoilers, to which you can add carbon Sparco seats and ceramic brakes.

2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

COMFORT

First launched in February 2017, the Giulia wowed critics with a combination of gorgeous looks and impressive driving dynamics. But the interior wasn’t quite a match for Europe’s finest. Running changes include a new 8.8-inch infotainment screen with updated software and touchscreen functionality. A digital display nestled between classic analog gauges is easier to read and key touchpoints such as the gear selector and infotainment controller now feel premium. Our test car presented well with carbon fibre highlights, a thin-rimmed steering wheel backed by huge metal shift paddles and leather and Alcantara trim framed with green and white stitching. It isn’t nearly as connected or clever as the Germans, though.

2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

SAFETY

The new Giulia adds handy features such as speed-sign recognition and traffic-jam assistance. Impressive on paper, the features aren’t integrated as smoothly as key rivals — the automatic brake application in stop-start traffic is rather sudden, for example. Customers should also be careful when selecting a driving mode — choose “Race” to dial up the fiercest engine, gearbox and suspension settings and you’ll also lose the safety net of traction and stability control.

DRIVING

Enzo Ferrari is reputed to have told customers “when you buy a Ferrari, you pay for the engine, and I will give the rest of the car free”. The Giulia sings from that hymnbook. Capable of producing 375kW and 600Nm, this engine is undoubtedly muscular. But the way it produces power makes this Alfa special. As with Ferrari’s finest, the motor revs hard to the top of its tacho, building power and momentum before it kicks you up the backside with a crisp change from its eight-speed auto. Equally capable of thrilling on a racetrack or dawdling around town, the Giulia’s engine and transmission duo are truly magnificent. Its suspension is just as impressive, with a composed fluidity few cars can match. It feels at home on the school run or circuit — especially the latter, where the rear-drive layout is truly entertaining. Minor qualms include grabby electronically activated brakes and speedy steering requiring personal recalibration.

VERDICT 4/5

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a flawed gem. Important changes close the gap in refinement and usability to Euro rivals, and it remains a driver’s delight.

ALTERNATIVES

Mercedes-AMG C63 S, from about $180,000 drive-away

Class benchmark blends Benz luxury with a truly awesome twin-turbo V8. Hurry before it becomes a hybrid four-cylinder.

Audi RS5 Sportback, from about $172,500 drive-away

Sensible alternative has a gorgeous cabin and devastating cross-country pace.

BMW M3, from about $175,000 drive-away

New M3 is quicker than ever, thanks to more power and all-wheel-drive. Polarising looks.

ALFA ROMEO GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO VITALS

Price: About $165,000 drive-away

Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, 375kW/600Nm

Warranty/servicing: 3-year/150,000km/$5245 for 5 years

Safety: 5 stars, 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, blind-spot warning, lane keeping assistance

Thirst: 8.2L/100km

Cargo: 480 litres

Spare: None