Paris show: Alfa warms up Giulia

ALFA Romeo has uncovered its BMW 340i-fighting warmed-up Giulia Veloce sedan ahead of its official debut at next week’s Paris motor show.

Dating from 1956, the Veloce name will be applied to variants that are not quite as ballistic as the hi-po 380kW/600Nm Quadrifoglio but still offer buyers a pinch of spice.

In Giulia, the Veloce will be offered with two new engines including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder all-aluminium turbocharged petrol unit that delivers 209kW at 5250rpm and 400Nm and 2250rpm.

The new powerplant features a ‘2-in-1’ turbocharger system and direct injection with a 200-bar high-pressure system that Alfa says makes for quicker accelerator response.

The second new engine is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel delivering 210kW at 3500rpm and 470Nm at 1750Nm. It is the first all-aluminium diesel produced by Alfa Romeo.

Both petrol and diesel engines will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

GoAuto understands that the Veloce variants will be offered in Australia when the full Giulia range goes on sale in March next year, but Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia is remaining quiet on future plans.

The warmed-over Veloce will be pitched against the likes of BMW’s 340i – the most potent sub-M3 3 Series – that pumps out 240kW/450Nm and can complete the 0-100km/h dash in 5.1 seconds.

Other premium mid-sizers in the Alfa’s crosshairs include the 155kW/350Nm Mercedes-Benz C250, Audi’s 185kW/370Nm A4 quattro Sport, Infiniti’s forthcoming 224kW/400Nm Q50 and Jaguar’s 177kW/340Nm XE 25t.

Mercedes’ performance-honed 270kW/520Nm C43 AMG and Jag’s 250kW/450Nm XE S could also be considered rivals.

The Veloce gains a number of visual tweaks to differentiate it from standard variants, including unique bumpers, glossy black door trim, a special rear extractor incorporating double exhaust pipes, and optional five-hole 19-inch alloy wheel.

It also marks the debut on Giulia of the new Blue Misano exterior colour.

Standard gear includes dual-zone climate control, the Alfa DNA system and 6.5-inch Connect infotainment system, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian recognition, integrated brake system, lane departure warning and cruise control with a speed limiter.

Alfa Romeo is also showing the Giulia Advanced Efficiency at Paris that is powered by a 180kW 2.2-litre diesel unit and has an official European combined cycle fuel use figure of 4.2 litres per 100km, 1.0L/100km thirstier than the Mercedes-Benz C200d.

Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system will be offered on Veloce.It features an active transfer case and a front differential “designed to accommodate the specific technical requirements of Alfa Romeo”.

The lightweight AWD system adds just 60kg to the overall weight of the rear-drive Giulia.

It is unlikely that the AWD or the Advanced Efficiency versions will be offered in Australia.

Also on the Alfa stand in Paris will be the facelifted Giulietta hatch – revealed earlier this year at the Geneva motor show.

The ageing A-Class rival will be shown in Veloce trim, which will replace the sporty QV when it arrives in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year.

An updated MiTo will also be on display, but this model has been discontinued from the Australian line-up.