Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce

Refreshed 276bhp saloon continues to make a strong case for forgoing the obvious German options

- SAM JENKINS

INITIALLY LAUNCHED IN 2016 AS ALFA Romeo's most potent Giulia model without a four-leaf-clover badge, the Veloce applies some of the Quadrifoglio's magic to a more affordable, practical saloon. Over half a decade on, the model has been given a midlife update, but are the tweaks enough for it to keep up with the latest German rivals?

Alongside the refresh comes a rationalisation of the Giulia line-up. Quadrifoglio aside, all UK cars now receive the same 2-litre turbocharged 'GME T4' four-cylinder, all with 276bhp and 295lb ft. The 197bhp 2-litre petrol is therefore no more, joining the 2.2-litre diesel in retirement. So while there are three trim levels - Sprint, Veloce and Competizione - the names no longer imply different power outputs. An eight-speed ZF automatic remains standard across the board and is still operated via some of the most tactile column-mounted paddles you'll find outside of Maranello.

While the Giulia's closest rivals, the 254bhp Mercedes-Benz C300 and 288bhp BMW 330e, have turned to hybrid assistance, the Italian has bucked the trend and stuck to combustion power alone. Thanks to this, along with an aluminium block and some surprising weight-saving measures (such as a carbonfibre propshaft that weighs just 7kg, saving 15kg), the Giulia tips the scales at a modest 1429kg. That's some 416kg less than the aforementioned BMW...