Alfa Romeo is launch their first high performance model in years, Giulia QV in Australia. Hit dealers in February, the car is carrying a starting price of AUD 143,900, plus on-road costs, which means that it's roughly AUD 4,000 more expensive than the equivalent BMW M3, but AUD 11,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-AMG C63 S.


The range-topping Giulia comes with numerous technology and driver assist equipment, but the highlight is the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which was co-developed with Ferrari, paired to an eight-speed automatic. It pushes out 503 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque to the rear wheels, allowing the QV to accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds, before topping out at 305 km/h.


In this form, the impressive Italian machine holds the Nurburgring lap record for production sedans at 7 minutes and 32 seconds, but it's not just fast, as it turns out to be safe too, after achieving the top rating in Euro NCAP's tests.