Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio review: Italian masterpiece

Performance Commodores are attracting crazy money at the moment but there are other sedans destined to attract cult followings in the future.

The Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio is one of the car market’s best-kept secrets.

While it doesn’t have the reputation of a BMW M3 or a Mercedes-Benz C63, it has plenty else going for it.

It has all the makings of a collector’s item

In 20 years’ time – when cars have become silent, sterile commodities – misty-eyed enthusiasts will yearn for cars like the Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio. From the moment you climb into this Italian masterpiece, four of your five senses are working overtime, taking in the rich smell of the leather-lined cabin, the delicate feel of the alcantara-lined steering wheel, the intoxicating howl of its high-revving twin-turbo V6 and the gorgeous curves penned by Marco Tencone. Adding to its appeal as a collector’s item, the Quadrifoglio is already a rare sight on local roads.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio could become a collector’s item. Picture: Supplied.

It can mix it with the big boys

The Giulia isn’t just a pretty face. Its Ferrari-inspired 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 pumps out an impressive 375kW of power and 600Nm of torque, almost matching the outputs of the BMW M3 (375kW/650Nm) and Mercedes-Benz C 63 (375kW and 700Nm). Alfa claims it also matches its German rivals’ 3.9-second 0-100km/h time. Floor the accelerator and you won’t be shoved back into seat in the same way as the V8 C 63, but it will rev enthusiastically to the red line. The conventional eight-speed auto extracts the most from the engine, shifting quickly and intuitively when you’re in a hurry and smoothly when you’re not.

The Alfa is an attractive alternative to German performance cars. Picture: Supplied.

What’s Italian for eye candy?

The Giulia is one of the most attractive sedans on the planet, especially in our test car’s deep Alfa red. The low-slung, sporty stance is complemented by 19-inch forged alloy wheels, big red brake calipers and quad exhaust pipes. Vents on the bonnet hint at the power that lurks underneath, while the tasteful quadrifoglio (four-leafed clover) badge lets everyone know this is the pinnacle of the Giulia range. If you think red is too cliche for an Alfa, you can pay an extra $1259 for a brilliant blue or understated grey, or stretch the finances another $2552 for a rich three-coat green or pearl white. If you can afford the $139,950 starting price, what’s another couple of grand to stand out from the crowd?

The Giulia colour palette is enticing. Picture: Supplied.

The cabin doesn’t disappoint

The Giulia’s cabin is a tasteful blend of sportiness, old world charm and technology. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a Ferrari-esque work of art. In the centre is the famed Alfa coat of arms, but your attention is immediately drawn to the red start button on the left. The bottom spoke of the wheel is finished in brushed aluminium and carbon fibre, with a red, green and white strip at the bottom – a nod to its Italian heritage. There are further splashes of carbon fibre on the centre console and doors, while the instrument panel has traditional analog dials with a small digital readout in between the speedo and tacho. The centre screen is a little small, but the controls are easy to navigate.

The steering wheel is a work of art. Picture: Supplied.

The proof’s in the driving

The Alfa tips the scales at a lithe 1585 kilos, thanks to the extensive use of aluminium and carbon-fibre, including on the bonnet and roof. The light weight and ideal 50-50 weight balance contribute to stunning poise and surgical precision through the corners. If you prefer to shift gears yourself there are alloy paddles on the steering wheel, and you can sharpen the car’s responses by selecting sport mode on the dial in the centre console. Be aware, though, that race mode switches off all the stability control safety nets. The steering is very direct and takes some getting used to, but once you’ve adjusted it’s impressively accurate, with excellent feedback.