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And that’s a good thing

Just like with the GranSport, there are certain jobs you need to make sure you have had the previous owner do, namely the suspension at £2k a corner. To be honest, if you’re used to Maserati servicing it’s not too horrific and unlike Maseratis there are a plethora of specialists around the...

My dad had a Spitfire and always loved an E-type but he wasn't a car enthusiast in the years I knew him. I think I got the love of fast cars/speed from my mother, in particular a Talbot Horizon that she used to drive on two wheels when we were late for school. The Horizon was actually two cars...

Hmm, with my objective hat on an XK150 XKR is good value. Not as sporty, but has the oomph and comfort (at least in the front) that the GS doesn’t quite have. It’s tiny in the back seat, mind. However there are more Jaguar specialists, parts etc around at least in the UK. Swinging the needle...

The long term plan has always been to spin off Maserati, imo. It’s been a separate business unit to Alfa and the other Stellantis brands for many years.

I think – Italian employment law experts may know better – that Stellantis had to offer this or face some kind of penalty. What was less excusable was offering a 10-15 per cent discount on a new Maserati to the staff it had just laid off via automated email a year or so ago

As a journo it annoys me too. There was that big hoo-hah about sales production dropping 50 per cent and an enormous €400m bill. Well yes, that's the cost of shutting down the former Bertone plant and ceasing Levante/Ghibli production. Clickbait gotta click though I guess Still, the doom...

My mind drifts back to the GS fairly often, as the value for money is spectacular at the moment. I did give considerable thought to taking a GS, fitting a MC-V steering rack and then fitting an aftermarket suspension kit. While I love the MCV, the front carbon splitter is a bit awkward looking...

My problem with the standard GS is A) I've driven an MCV B) the cost of the clutch replacement and any suspension work is getting on for what, £8k these days? And that's before you budget for rectifying anything else – and they're getting to the age where general old car stuff happens. I believe...

It's changing a little bit now, given Meloni's populist mantra there's a growing appreciation for Italian classics of the 80s/90s/00s, which is further compounded by relative rarity. But Italy has always had difficulties with luxury cars – the very reason for the Biturbo's existence is that...

Also, for all the Bella Macchina stuff, and adoration for Ferrari, luxury/performance cars are very rare in Italy. It’s not even in the top five for Ferrari markets. It might not be in the top ten. It works at all levels - remember the infamous ‘train driver’ ad for the Fiat Coupe? Well it turns...

Assetto Corsa prices in Europe, anyone?

The Trofeo prices were beyond ridiculous though.

Ambition in advance of maintenance costs.

Depends on the motoring journalist, really. If you’re on a new car mag if you’re over 25 you’re part of the long term test crew so there’s not usually a reason to own your own car. Those that do usually either have a classic/modern classic, not a brand new car because… well, what’s the point?

Well they were great business when they were ICE. Couldn’t sell enough of them and they were restricted by supply. Fell off a huge cliff going EV. Nobody wants them.

The majority of Alfa sales, I’m told, are Giulia/Stelvio Quads. And there isn’t many of those. Alfa HQ aren’t taking anymore orders after March/April; clearly the dealers don’t have great faith in the Tonale and Junior. It is, alas, understandable. With Abarth sales wiped out, even more so.

The R is not about performance figures per se, it’s about involvement and feel. And aren’t the ratios on the 718 a bit cack?

You really ought to try a Cayman R. It really is rather excellent, and not at all boring and clinical like the regular Cayman can be. Whisper it - as a road car, I prefer it to a 911 GT3…

For me, personally, it was the four pot turbo. It was the same with the 4C. Modern four pot turbos are neither amusingly laggy like the cars of old nor truly n/a linear, so you end up with a disappointing mixture of both. Because - again entirely for me - the Alpine is too impractical to be a...