Fancy the idea of a Giulia Quadrifoglio but can't stretch to the £61K Alfa Romeo is asking for one? Well, Alfa has unexpectedly launched the next best thing - the 280hp
Giulia Veloce
Yep, we'll take blue with the Performance Pack please
When it was unveiled at the 2016 Salon de Paris, the sporty Veloce was, Alfa hinted, not destined for the UK. That's because in continental Europe, it's offered only with Q4 four-wheel drive - and since Q4 is not compatible with right-hand drive, we weren't going to get it.
But Alfa has since engineered a rear-wheel drive Veloce so that right-hand drive markets can now enjoy the evocatively-named high-spec Giulia. The Veloce slots into the Giulia range between the Speciale and the Quadrifoglio.
In the UK, the Veloce is a petrol-only model, receiving a 280hp version of Alfa's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine. Continental buyers also have a choice of a 210hp diesel.
With 280hp at 5,250rpm and 295lb ft at 1,750rpm, it's considerably more potent than the regular 200hp 2.0 petrol engine. Despite saving 60kg compared to the four-wheel drive Veloce, 'our' rear-drive version is actually 0.5sec slower to 62mph - but it's still no slouch at 5.7 seconds. The Veloce's maximum speed is also the highest in the range (excepting the Quadrifoglio) at 149mph. The CO2 figure of 141g/km is only marginally higher than the lower-powered 200hp Giulia, too, and fuel economy is claimed at 46.3mpg.
Interestingly, Veloce buyers can add a great-sounding Performance Pack for £1,950, consisting of aluminium gearshift paddles on the steering column, Q2 limited-slip diff and active Synaptic Dynamic Control (SDC) suspension, as seen on the Quadrifoglio. As with all UK Giulias, the Veloce uses a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox - the six-speed manual available in Giulias in other markets can't be had in right-hand drive.
The Veloce can be recognised by its Quadrifoglio-esque front bumper with enlarged side air intakes, new rear bumper with a diffuser, chrome exhaust tips, gloss black window surrounds and bi-xenon headlights. It also gets 18-inch 10-spoke Turbine alloy wheels - one inch smaller than the continental-spec Veloce Q4 - with 225/45 front and 255/40 rear tyres.
The Giulia Veloce is available to order now, priced at £37,880, some £2,875 more than the 2.2 diesel 180hp Speciale but a whole £23,210 less than the Quadrifoglio. Key rivals include the 252hp A4 TFSI quattro (at £38,175) and BMW 340i M Sport (£39,235), plus there are of course C-Classes and XEs to consider as well. Could this be a Giulia sweet spot?
