Car guaranteed we won't see in 2016

I'm pretty sure I was Italian in a past life. That could explain the obsession with pasta, gelato... And the vibrancy of Italian automobile industry.

It's an emotional investment, riding the ups and downs as you would a sporting team, but always believing in it. Even when Lancias became rebadged Chryslers, I still had hope that a corner could be turned and the Italians (besides Ferrari) could build something breathtaking once more.

The announcement of the Giulia sedan raised those hopes... But it appears they could be quashed once more, with rumoured production delays for the car that could save Alfa Romeo's future.

It's all very Italian, very Alfa Romeo, isn't it?

Despite the ride and handling issues surrounding the new vehicle, at least this time Alfa is taking the necessary steps to ensure the flagship Giulia QV works beyond the 7:39 (or 7:43, depending on who you believe) Nurburgring lap-time... on cut slicks... with 100kg pulled out of it.

Despite these performance 'enhancements', the baseline Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde package remains massively tempting, even when compared to the likes of BMW's M3 and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S.

Powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 that sounds like this, the QV apparently belts out 380kW and 600Nm, hits 307km/h, weighs 1524kg and is rear-wheel drive. Zero to 100km/h is accomplished in a claimed 3.9 seconds -- faster than either aforementioned rival.

Mentioning the donk was 'Ferrari-developed' adds further drool factor, but the QV's projected pricing dries the palette: it starts at €79,000, or $116,000 at today's rates. Should it ever arrive in Australia, expect that to grow to over $150,000 after taxes, shipping and other applicable charges.

If that doesn't scare you, buzz phrases such as active aero, torque vectoring, carbon-ceramic brakes and 50:50 weight distribution may start you salivating once more.

Even beyond the hyperactive ('nervous', I think those involved at the 'Ring stated) QV flagship, the mid-size Alfa Romeo sedan should draw attention.

Based on an article our Euro correspondent John Mahoney penned a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel will be offered in a range of tunes from 110kW to 155kW. The oilers will share equal billing with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol starting from 147kW and peaking at 206kW; and all-wheel drive could be optional on the higher-powered versions of both. There may also be a detuned version of the twin-turbo 2.9 to accommodate a self-shifting gearbox...

The basic rear-drive, manual recipe that made Alfa Romeo famous, however, appears to form the basis of this apparent return to form.

As for style, seeing the Giulia QV in the metal and carbon in Frankfurt revealed a taut muscularity that comfortably matches its rivals, from vented bonnet via those stunning alloys to a quad-tipped rear. Inside, (optional) carbon-backed front shells, a six-speed manual (though the aforementioned video offers a very twin-clutch-esque sound bite...), audacious red stitching and acres of leather beckon.

Sure, the modern technology and mass production facilities required to create this modern take on a Giulia almost certainly remove the hand-built majesty of something like this 1962 Giulia SS currently in the process of restoration, but the new car appears – on paper, at least – to provide more personality than its stated (and largely German) rivals. 2017 can't come quickly enough... Or will it be 2018?

Regardless, if the time taken to revise the Giulia saves the brand in the long term, none of us will complain. And that would be very un-Italian.