Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce £38,260

Engine 1995cc 4cyl turbo, RWD, 280bhp,

295lb ft Performance 0–62mph in 5.7secs, 149mph, 46.3mpg, 141g/km CO Weight 1429kg While the M3-baiting Giulia Quadrifoglio is all noise and arm-waving frivolity, the petrolpowered Veloce that sits below it is a calmer, more measured thing. There’s no Race mode and its 280bhp 2.0-litre turbo four is quiet to the point of meekness. It rides very softly on modest 18in wheels, while the 8spd auto is wonderfully smooth. So it’ll be easier to live with than any previous Italian 4dr, but it still has the handling nous. Its composed ride feels tailor-made for UK roads, while keen reactions come from being 100kg lighter than rivals. Cheaper than an Audi S4 or BMW 340i, it’s also a sports saloon without needless aggression, and all the nicer to live with – and drive briskly – as a result.