Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce to launch in Paris

The roll-out of Alfa Romeo’s new Giulia compact executive saloon continues at the Paris Motor Show next month with the launch of a new Veloce version. Sitting below the rapid Quadrifoglio range-topper, it’s a performance saloon Alfa is pitching as a rival to the Audi S4.

Befitting its positioning as a faster version of the regular Giulia four-doors, Alfa is offering it with a choice of two warmed-over engines: either a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol producing 276bhp, or a punchy new 2.2-litre turbodiesel rated at 207bhp.

Each engine is paired with a standard eight-speed automatic and, in Germany, where the Veloce has already been launched, it’s equipped with all-wheel drive.

This, however, is a potential sticking point for an eventual launch in Britain: we will only get it if the Italian engineering HQ builds a rear-wheel drive version, something that’s yet to be confirmed.