What's the news?
The Giulia is one of the most important cars in Alfa's history, and it needs to be good. With the mad Quadrifoglio version aiming its sights on BMW's M3 and the likes, the Veloce model aims to provide more attainable performance. Two all-aluminium engine choices will be available, a 2.0-litre 280hp turbocharged petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel with 210hp and 470Nm of torque which features an electrically-operated variable vane turbo.
The Q4 all-wheel drive system is a standard feature on left-hand drive models (it's currently incompatible with RHD cars, which have to make do with rear-wheel drive only), coupled to an 8-speed auto gearbox. This can apportion up to 60 per cent of drive to the front wheels if it detects rear axle slippage, but in normal conditions it sends 100 per cent of drive to the back.
Styling-wise, there are different bumpers, optional 19-inch alloys in the typical Alfa teledial style, a twin exhaust arrangement set into a rear ''extractor'' (fake diffuser to you and me) and an exclusive Blue Misano paintjob on the colour chart. Inside, it's black, black and more black with new sports seats and steering wheel, and some aluminium detailing on the doors, dash and central tunnel.
Infotainment features highly, comprising of Alfa's DNA and Connect systems with a 6.5-inch screen. There's a host of safety acronyms such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) and pedestrian recognition, the Integrated Brake System (IBS) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). Alfa won't say whether or not the Veloce will make it to these shores, but if it does it will certainly make an interesting alternative to the glut of German executive saloons currently flooding our roads.
Anything else?
As well as the Veloce and aforementioned Quadrifoglio models, Alfa showed the Giulia Super which uses detuned versions of the petrol and diesel engines and does without the Q4 transmission system. An ''AE'' or Advanced Efficiency version was also announced, with full focus on fuel economy and emissions levels. Thanks to a longer ratio gearbox, lower ride height and smaller wheels as well as a host of drivetrain efficiency improvements, combined figures of 4.2l/100km fuel consumption and 99 g/km of CO2 have been quoted by the Italian brand.