Alfa Romeo Giulia Q takes five

The potent 375kW Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is taking five. No, the winner of the 2018 Australia’s Best Driver’s Car is not being temporarily put out to pasture, it now, literally, takes five.

A small but important detail may have slipped through to the keeper on our overview of the changes to the local MY19 Giulia range. Previously only offered as a four-seater, the Italian rival to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C 63 now matches its counterparts by offering seatbelts (if not accommodation) to buckle in three rear-seat passengers.

Alfa Romeo Australia hosted a refresher on the Giulia Quadrifoglio as part of its roll out of the new Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV at the Albert Park F1 circuit today.

The Stelvio and Giulia range-toppers share the Ferrari-developed twin-turbo V6 engine that so impressed motoring.com.au’s ABDC judges, but the new Stelvio Q SUV features a rear-biased Q4 all-wheel drive system. Under normal running the system is almost 100 per cent rear drive, however, as conditions require up to 50 per cent of available torque can be shifted to the SUV’s front axle.

Giulia will remain staunchly rear-drive Down Under, however. Although a RHD AWD Giulia Q is offered in the UK, Alfa Romeo Australia says there are no plans to offer the all-wheel drive option for the Italian super sedan.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia boss, Steve Zanlunghi, was tight-lipped on his plans for Alfa Romeo moving forward, deflecting any questions re additions or cuts to the local Alfa line-up with a: “Today, we’re talking about the Stelvio Q”.

He did confirm that the Giulietta hatch continues as part of local line-up, however, and that the recent showing of the Tonale compact SUV concept pointed “perhaps” in the direction of future priorities.

Around 30 per cent of the Giulias sold in Australia are Qs. High-grade Veloces make up another 30 per cent, brand exec, Fulvio Antonelli, told carsales.

Alfa Romeo has sought to simplify its line-up and equipment levels in comparison to direct competitors. The latest Giulia Q offers just a handful of options including a carbon-ceramic brake upgrade and carbon-backed sports seats.

The five-seat layout of Giulia Q is here to stay, however. Buyers looking for a four-seater will need hunt down an MY17-spec Giulia QV to escape from the middle seat blues.