New Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde gets Alfa 4C engine

The new Alfa Giulietta & MiTo Cloverleaf Heading for Geneva next week will be a pair of updated range-toppers from Alfa Romeo – the Alfa Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde and MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde – with the Giulietta the more interesting of the two. The engine in the new Alfa 4C is based on the engine in the current Alfa Giulietta, but now Alfa has decided the old 1750 TB engine in the Giulietta should make way for its new, lighter sibling from the 4C so the Giulietta will come with the same 1750 Turbo Petrol developing 237bhp and good for a 6.6 seconds 0-62mph sprint. Other tweaks for the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde include big tail pipes, 320mm Brembos, new bodykit, 18″ alloys, sports seats, leather and Alcantar trim, new instruments and a black roof.

Dacia Duster (2012) priced from £8995

Renault's sub-brand Dacia will price its Duster compact SUV from just £8995 when it goes on UK sale on 28 June 2012. That puts the Duster among Ford Fiesta and Hyundai i10 prices, and around £6000-7000 less than its rivals from Skoda and Nissan. A new 4x4 for less than £9000?

Lotus Evora hits London showroom

Despite the fact that the new Lotus Evora is not due to start delivery until next Summer, Lotus of London, in Park Lane, has this week taken delivery of the first Evora to hit a showroom anywhere in the world, and it will be on show from the 22nd December. The Evora is going to be on display until the 9th January, offering potential buyers, and the terminally nosey, the opportunity to see this exciting new Lotus in the flesh. Finished in Frost White (trendy, but I’m not sure it suits the Evora that well), with a red leather interior, the 2+2 is the first proper new Lotus car for more than a decade.