ALFA Romeo has announced prices for its new, super-fast, rear-wheel-drive Giulia, which will start at £29,180 in the UK.

The model range features five trim levels - Giulia, Super, Tecnica, Speciale and the range topping Quadrifoglio.

Prospective owners can also choose between four engine variants - two petrol and two diesel - which are all paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Even the entry trim level Giulia includes comprehensive standard specification including forward collision warning with autonomous emergency brake with pedestrian recognition, integrated brake system and lane departure warning.

Such systems have contributed to the new Alfa being awarded a Five Star Euro NCAP rating, with 98 per cent protection result for adult occupants - making it the highest score ever achieved by a car, despite the more severe Euro NCAP evaluation system introduced in 2015.

The engine range comprises the 200bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol, 150bhp 2.2 JTDM-2, 180bhp 2.2 JTDM-2 diesels and a potent 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo developing 510bhp.

All versions, which will go on sale later this year, come with a comprehensive list of kit including dual-zone climate control, the Alfa DNA rotary driving mode selector, a 3.5-inch TFT colour cluster instrument panel, UConnect 6.5-inch display infotainment system with DAB plus MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, 8-speaker audio system, rear parking sensors and cruise control.

The top of the range Quadrifoglio, which can hit 62mph in just 3.9 seconds, is powered by a new turbo charged V6 petrol engine, with an eight-speed paddle shift automatic transmission as standard and costs from £59,000.