What's the news?
Like the new Alfa Romeo Giulia (as we do)? But think that the basic diesel or 200hp petrol models are a bit weedy? Equally, can't stretch to the full-on 510hp Quadrifoglio? Then Alfa has an answer for you, and it's the 280hp 2.0-litre turbo Veloce version.
At €53,895 it's a little more than half the cost of the QV, and only around €10,000 more than a mid-spec model, but it comes with a tweaked 280hp, 400Nm version of the Giula's 2,0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The 0-100km/h sprint is covered in a brisk 5.7 seconds, while the top speed is 240km/h. Emissions are kept to a reasonable 141g/km, while fuel consumption is said to average 6.1 litres/100km (46mpg).
As well as the exclusive-to-the-model Misano Blue paintwork, the Veloce also gets some specific styling features, including sports bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels, coloured brake calipers, dark tinted privacy glass with black gloss window surrounds and a rear sports diffuser with dual exhaust tailpipes.
Other standard features on the Veloce include bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera with dynamic gridlines, power folding door mirrors and heated six-way electric front seats including adjustable side bolster support. There's also the choice of black, tan or red Italian leather sport seats.
As well as a 98 per cent adult occupant protection score on the Euro NCAP test (which Alfa says makes this the safest car ever tested by NCAP), the Giulia Veloce comes as standard with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Integrated Braking System (IBS) and cruise control with speed limiter.