Alfa Romeo Giulia QV sold out

Anyone who reckons the fire-breathing, 375kW Alfa Giulia QV sounds like a pretty tasty performance package and is thinking of buying one might be in for a big disappointment.

They've missed the boat, because the entire first shipment to arrive in Australia has sold out.

Such is the demand for the 307km/h compact Italian sedan and rival for BMW's M3 or Mercedes-AMG's C63 the first 100 cars to arrive here have found buyers even before it was officially due to go on sale at the end of February.

While that's good news for Alfa Romeo's Australian arm, the even worse news for anyone who has missed out is nobody is quite sure when the next lot of QVs will arrive.

"With the QV we've sold out our initial allocation and we're working on getting more," said Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australian sales director Ed Butler.

"We're quite confident we can get some more but at the moment there's more demand than supply which is a good position to be in."

Butler said the Giulia QV - which with its twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 and rear-wheel drive can accelerate to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds - represented "solid" value against the M3 and C63.

"There is a wait list, we are taking orders, but I would say that you would be waiting for around six months to get a car," he said.

"It's not just the fact we're getting more production but there's also the shipping time, there is the reality of us being on the other side of the planet."

Interestingly, for those willing to wait a little longer there might be an alternative in a Quadrifoglio version of the upcoming Alfa Romeo Stelvio medium sized SUV.

The Stelvio QV shares a platform and will use much of the Giulia QV's performance hardware including the drivetrain and suspension, but adds all-wheel drive to the equation, as well as a more practical wagon-style body.

Alfa Australia is expecting the Stelvio to arrive here early in 2018, but according to Butler if it gets here earlier, might be on sale later this year. It is not known if a Stelvio QV will be offered simultaneously with cheaper versions, although that has happened with the Giulia range.

"I think that [the Stelvio] opens up Alfa to what is obviously a growing segment," Butler said.

"SUVs are growing and luxury SUVs are growing also and I think there's space for us to fit in there with what is a stunningly beautiful vehicle."

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