Alfa Romeo details Giulia line-up

ALFA Romeo has revealed the model grades and some specification for its BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia sedan that sprints into Australian showrooms in February.

The Italian-built rear-wheel-drive four-door will be offered as four variants, including base Giulia, mid-range Giulia Super, warmed-over Veloce and the highly anticipated QV performance flagship that will go head to head with the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63.

In entry-level Giulia guise, the Alfa uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 147kW and 330Nm from 1750-4000rpm, ensuring a 0-100km/h dash time of 6.6 seconds and an official combined fuel use figure of 6.0 litres per 100km.

Standard gear at this level includes 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-Xenon headlights, idle-stop, keyless start, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

A 3.5-inch TFT colour instrument cluster, the 6.5-inch UConnect infotainment system with DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity, an eight-speaker audio system and the Alfa DNA drive mode selector are all standard, as with all Alfas.

Safety wise, the Giulia includes a forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning, and an ‘integrated brake system’.

The mid-sizer was awarded a five-star crash safety rating from Euro NCAP with its 98 per cent adult occupant protection score the highest recorded by the safety watchdog. It is yet to be tested by ANCAP.

Following the base variant is the Giulia Super, which will be offered with either the 147kW/330Nm turbo-petrol engine, or a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel pumping out 132kW and 450Nm from 1750-3750rpm, offering a 7.1s 0-100km/h time and fuel use of 4.2L/100km.

Over the standard spec of the base car, the Super gains an eight-way power driver’s seat, active cruise control, heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring and a higher grade of leather.

Next up, the Veloce – likely to be a rival for the Audi S4, BMW 340i, Jaguar XE S and Mercedes-AMG C43 – uses a tweaked version of the 2.0-litre four-pot turbo-petrol unit pumping out 206kW/400Nm, ensuring a 5.8s 0-100mk/h dash and 6.1L/100km.

Extra gear at this level includes 19-inch Veloce alloy wheels, unique braking package with red callipers, Alfa SDC adjustable suspension, sports leather seats and steering wheel, a premium sound system and aluminium dash inserts and pedals.

Topping the range is the QV, powered by a blistering 375kW /600Nm twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, delivering a supercar-like 3.9s 0-100km/h sprint time and 300km/h top speed, while consuming 8.2L/100km.

The QV gains a unique bodykit, 19-inch forged alloys, bi-Xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System and auto high beam, eight-way adjustable front seats, leather and Alcantara front sports seats, 14-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, 8.8-inch multimedia system housing climate air-con controls, sat nav and the infotainment system.

Alfa is holding pricing and full specification back until closer to the launch.

The Alfa dealer network that is in the process of being finalised is holding more than 100 orders for the QV version.

Alfa’s latest model is based on a new rear-drive architecture that it will share with the forthcoming Stelvio SUV that was uncovered at last month’s Los Angeles motor show.

The Giulia will enter an increasingly busy premium mid-size segment that is currently led by the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, followed by the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Jaguar XE, Lexus IS, Volvo S/V60 and Infiniti Q50.

It will get busier in the coming years with Hyundai’s premium brand Genesis confirming it will offer a model in the segment that will be based on the G70 concept that was revealed at the New York motor show earlier this year.