I HAVE two new friends. Two Italian friends. Their names are Francesco and Pasquale and they are very nice lads indeed. 

The Veloce version of the exciting new Alfa Romeo Giulia is now available to order in the Republic of Ireland, priced from €53,895 excluding works. Alfa says this new model balances the dynamics and comfort of the Giulia range to offer affordable performance and luxury.

The Stelvio, which shares many components with the Giulia, is Alfa Romeo’s first venture into the SUV market. Jon Reay finds out what it’s like.

Alfa Romeo will launch performance hybrid models across its range - but only when battery technology gets lighter and cheaper.

THE Alfa Romeo Giulietta is one of the prettiest hatchbacks on the road today, but is it any good? We put it to the test to find out.

Matt Griffin drives for the iconic Italian car company Ferrari at LeMans but would be just as happy driving his Peugeot up Molls Gap.

JSC Alfa Bank, the Russian private bank founded by billionaire Mikhail Fridman, is scaling back lending for all but the most affluent clients after a growing share of customers fell behind on payments this year.

It is probably the single most important car in the history of the storied Italian marque and without doubt the gorgeous new Alfa Romeo Giulia will play a significant part in defining the brand as it faces an uncertain future.

THIS year has been good for the motor industry, and next year will be better.

What are you currently driving?

WOULD you like to own a ‘supercar’ for just €70,000? I’ve got just the thing for you: the Alfa Romeo 4C. Pound for pound, it will deliver the shattering performance and uncontrollable testosterone that a supercar should.

ANYONE who has any hint of petrol flowing through their veins will have a soft spot for the Alfa Romeo brand.

A HUGE crowd turned out last week for the official announcement by Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland of the appointment of Dan Seaman Motors as sales and after sales partner in the south of Ireland.

IT’S been a funny couple of years for Italian giant Fiat in

FEW cars stir the blood of your average petrolhead than those from Alfa Romeo and that is most certainly the case when it comes to the company’s latest piece of design genius — the Alfa 4C.

Check out today's horse racing tips from courses around the UK.

ALFA BEAT, successful in the race a year earlier, did the business again when storming to victory in yesterday’s Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.

TWO gardaí were hospitalised yesterday when their patrol car was reportedly rammed during a high-speed pursuit on the outskirts of Limerick.

A Catholic policeman who survived a dissident republican bomb attack has regained consciousness and is showing signs of improvement, the PSNI confirmed today.

A Catholic police officer who survived a dissident republican car bomb is a hero, his chief constable said.

Just a week after winning a Jaguar car European Tour rookie Oliver Wilson put the spotlight back on himself with two more spectacular shots today – and now has a great chance to win the Nissan Irish Open.

A crisis of confidence in Russia’s banking market spread today to one of Russia’s largest banks as dozens of customers rushed to retrieve their savings only to find that they had to wait in Soviet-style queues and pay a 10% penalty.

Giorgio Pantano's place on the Formula One grid might be in doubt.

Car buyers were urged today to keep shopping around Europe for the best prices.

There has been an armed raid in Clonee this afternoon.