Geneva Motor Show - In a fantasy world, Alfa Romeo would just run with the 375kW Giulia Quadrifoglio that it unveiled last year as its sole model and everybody would just buy that and live happily ever after.
In the real world not everyone can afford such an extravagance and so Alfa Romeo has to offer a full range of more affordable four-cylinder models to boost volume so the sums add up.
This expanded range was revealed at the Geneva show on Tuesday, bringing the tally to three trim levels and four engines with outputs ranging from 110kW to 375kW.
The latter figure belongs to the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 fitted to the already-announced Quadrofoglio and allegedly capable of catapulting the car from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
Joining it in the petrol line-up, albeit at the other end of the scale is a new 147kW 2-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol. The motor also pushes 330Nm of twist from just 1750rpm.
The other four-cylinder option is Alfa's first all-aluminium turbodiesel. The new 2-litre unit, featuring the latest-generation MultiJet II injection system, will be available in two output levels: a 110kW/380Nm and 132kW/450Nm. Performance specifications for the new four-pot engines will be announced at the international launch scheduled for around midyear.
REAR-WHEEL DRIVE
Most enticing for enthusiasts is that the Giulia marks Alfa's return to rear-wheel drive. Linking the engine to the back wheels is a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, which offers flappy paddles as well as Dymamic and Race modes in the Quadrofoglio version.
To achieve the best possible handling balance, the Giulia boasts a perfect 50:50 weight weight distribution and a four-arm independent rear suspension design, complete with an Alfa-patented toe adjustment solution.
For the sake of agility, performance and efficiency, Alfa Romeo uses a raft of lightweight materials, including aluminium doors and fenders and carbon fibre driveshaft components. The net result is that the Giulia is light for its size, tipping the scales at between 1374 and 1524kg, depending on the model.
Other technological highlights include the Integrated Braking System, which combines the stability control and traditional servo to improve response and lower weight, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Brake with pedestrian detection, Active Aero Splitter and a new 22cm Connect Nav 3D infotainment system.