Lukewarm Alfa Giulia Veloce heads to Paris

If you want an Alfa Giulia you have few options. Either spend £59,000 on the 510bhp QV, or buy a sensible diesel. Alfa has recognized the lack of middle-ground as a problem, and will at the Paris Motor Show pull the wraps off this: the Giulia Veloce.

News is mostly good, but the Veloce isn’t quite the Audi S4, Mercedes-AMG C43 and BMW 340i competitor we were hoping for. Those are all turbo sixes that offer north of 300bhp, and the Veloce, erm, isn’t. Granted, it will probably be a bit cheaper, but still.

It does look a hell of a lot like the QV though, with its big wheels, bright brake calipers and specific front and rear bumpers. Inside you get sports seats and special aluminium trim, plus all the tech fitted to the standard car.

There are two engine options, one petrol and one diesel, both turbocharged four-cylinders. The petrol is a 2.0-litre with 276bhp and 295lb ft, and the diesel a 2.2-litre with 207bhp and 347lb ft. Both are paired with the eight-speed automatic gearbox and ‘Q4’ on-demand all-wheel drive.

Any good?