952 Giulia

FIRST unveiled in mid-2015, the 952 Giulia was released in Australia in early 2017 to take on the BMW 3 Series and co.

Built on the company’s rear-drive Giorgio platform, and offering 50/50 weight distribution, the Italian-made four-door sports sedan brandished double wishbone suspension and all-turbo powertrains to return the marque to its ‘60s international glory years.

Four variants were on offer initially, base Giulia, mid-range Super, warmed-over Veloce and BMW M3-baiting QV high-performance flagship.

In entry-level guise, the Giulia used a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 147kW and 330Nm. The Super brought either a 147kW/330Nm turbo-petrol engine equivalent, or a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel pumping out 132kW and 450Nm.

The Veloce upped the power ante to 206kW/400Nm, while the QV, powered by a blistering 375kW /600Nm twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, delivered a supercar-like 3.9s 0-100km/h sprint time and 307km/h top speed.