Driving Alfa Romeo revised Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan – a powerful compact lightweight sports sedan of incredible ability, yes expensive at $143,500 but offering the well-heeled motoring enthusiast a sensational performance.

Powered by a Ferrari-derived 2.9-litre twin-turbo 375kW V6 driving the rear wheels via an 8-speed ZF automatic with manual shift paddles plus Alfa Romeo’s DNA Pro drive mode system. Updated last year the Giulia Quadrifoglio, Q for short, gained a more comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features. A sports sedan that can reach 100km/hour in just 3.9 seconds and not that you ever likely to see it, a top speed of 307km/hour.

I selected a drive to Warragamba Dam as a means of finding some quiet back roads where I could legally explore its potential. The handling from a torsionally rigid body is staggering, eating tight corners with ease offset by performance that leaves you in awe in the way it’s delivered, the engine sound almost orchestral through a massive quad exhaust system.

Despite the massive performance its ability to lope along in a very relaxed manner when required is impressive, a point my wife suggested gave her great relief at times on our drive. Ride, hard on anything but a billiard surface but that goes with the high-performance territory. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Q an outstanding performance sedan in every sense.

I’m David Berthon.

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