What’s in a name?
If the name is Giulia, and it’s attached to an Alfa Romeo, then quite a lot – not least a serious weight of expectation.
In the quarter of a century since Alfa last offered a rear-wheel-drive saloon (the 75) – and arguably for longer than that – its cars have been beloved in spite of their abilities rather than because of them, trading on past glories and an evocative badge.
But now, after a series of false dawns, we have the Giulia Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo. Those last few details are promising, aren’t they?
And they result in a faintly ridiculous 503bhp, delivered to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ’box operated by a pair of exquisite cast-aluminium paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.
Exquisite is the word for this machine: there are flaws – the infotainment system, for example – but this is a beautifully put-together jewel of a car.
There’s lots of exposed carbonfibre – it’s real, too, for the bonnet and roof – and the interior is a special place to sit, hugged by superb sports seats and faced with cowled dials beneath a sculptural sweep of dashboard covered with soft leather.