Just 48-hours before the pre-launch announcement of its vitally important new mid-liner, Alfa Romeo has taken the controversial step going for a last-minute re-name. The Golf-rival was supposed to be called Milano, but the name has been dropped in favour of Giulietta.

The decision has been made in light of the mass-redundancies made at Alfa's Milan factory – and naming the new car Giulietta is to avoid the company looking insensitive. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March to coincide with the beginning of the marque's marque's centenary.