This isn’t an original statement, but the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is about as close as you’ll get to a four-door Ferrari – ignoring, of course, the SUV-style Ferrari Purosangue. It’s not hyperbole to suggest so, though, since chief engineer on the Giulia project was Philippe Krief, who’d previously worked on the Ferrari 458 Speciale.
Alfa worked hard to keep the Giulia’s weight low, and along with quick steering and a supple ride, you’ve got a car that feels incredibly fleet and agile, but not punishing on bumpy roads. It’s at its best in 500-horsepower Quadrifoglio form, and better still in its post-facelift iteration, which swapped the old unpredictable electronic torque vectoring differential for a mechanical one, giving consistent drive out of every corner.
Mercedes-AMG A45
Prices from: £63,445
There was a time that all-wheel drive performance hatchbacks had fairly prescriptive handling. You’d get plenty of traction, particularly useful in poor weather, but often a nose-led balance that made fast driving an frustrating affair, and not a lot of fun. One of the best examples of how this is no longer the case comes from Mercedes-AMG, and its A45.
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Quite aside from the fact this hatch is wildly quick in a straight line, thanks to a 2-litre turbo four-cylinder making more than 400 horsepower, it’s also a real handler too. There’s huge front end grip, but get on the power early and you feel it driving you through and out of a corner almost like it’s rear-wheel drive – but with the extra security of the front wheels helping out. It makes the A45 far more involving than four-wheel drive hatches of old.
Mazda MX-5
Prices from: £28,000