2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Australian specs revealed

One hundred Australians have signed up to buy an Alfa Romeo Giulia QV ahead of its February local launch – and without even knowing the price.

Other specifications for Italy’s M3-fighting medium sports sedan have been fully detailed, however, with the 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine delivering 375kW at 6500rpm and 600Nm between 2500rpm and 5000rpm.

In this market (and the UK and Japan) only an eight-speed automatic transmission will be available – a six-speed manual is reserved for left-hand drive production only.

Even the auto is good enough for the 1585kg Giulia QV to claim performance leadership with a 3.9-second 0-100km/h a mere tenth ahead of both the 1580kg C63 S – with identical power but an extra 100Nm – and the 1560kg M3 Competition with 331kW/550Nm. It can shift onwards to a top speed of 305km/h.

Other claims come thick and fast. Alfa Romeo asserts that its engine, with cylinder deactivation technology that can shut off three cylinders when cruising, is more frugal than the AMG and BMW pair with an 8.2L/100km consumption claim 0.1L/100km thriftier.

It further claims its rear-driver is the first in its segment with active aerodynamics thanks to a front splitter that automatically lowers at speed to reduce drag. And its Nurburgring lap time of 7min 32sec is still spruiked as a sedan record.

A new DNA Pro driver select system is standard, acting on the parameters of the standard adaptive suspension, steering, throttle and exhaust note, all of which claim to deliver “scintillating performance when you need it and refined comfort when you don’t.”

Carbon-ceramic brakes and Sparco racing buckets are on the options list, but standard equipment for our market is confirmed to include 19-inch alloy wheels, swivelling bi-xenons with auto high-beam, leather/Alcantara sports seats with full electric adjustment, dual-zone climate control and 8.8-inch colour screen with nav and 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio.

On the safety front, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning and active cruise control all appears, as is typical for the segment.

Although pricing isn’t yet released, expect the Giulia QV to be priced under $150,000 from just after its local public debut in southern Victoria at the Alfa Romeo Portsea Polo event on January 14, 2017.

Alfa’s comeback kid versus the establishment will certainly be one of 2017’s great showdowns.