What's all this about?

We happen to adore two of the latest Alfa Romeo performance products, which are the Quadrifoglio versions of the Giulia and the Stelvio. So news of even-more-special, limited-edition versions of these Italian QF masterpieces - due to be part of Alfa's display at the Geneva Motor Show - is most welcome.

Ooh, excellent! Have they got more power than the 510hp existing cars?

Sadly, no, but then pace is not something for which the Quadrifoglios lack. However, Alfa Romeo is 108 years old and so there are 108 of each of the two specials: the Giulia Quadrifoglio Nurburgring Edition and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nurburgring Edition.

Umm, why are they named after a German track and not an Italian one?

Come on, you have to be sharper than that. Both the Giulia QF and the Stelvio QF hold the production-car lap records for their respective market segments (four-door saloon and SUV) at the Green Hell. The Giulia went round in 7 minutes 32 seconds, while the Stelvio managed a time of 7 minutes 51.7 seconds - hence, both are the Nurburgring Editions and both therefore get 'NRING' badging.

Is that all you get? An NRING badge?

Not at all! They're finished in exclusive Circuito Grey paint, while the mirror caps, side skirts and the bonnet badges are all rendered in carbon fibre. Additionally, the Giulia QF NRING has a bare carbon roof, which is a new feature for the supersaloon. Inside, a numbered plaque helpfully reminds you which of the 108 Stelvios or 108 Giulias you're in, while the standard equipment list is positively bulging - additional standard-fit items for the Nurburgring Quadris include Sparco racing seats with red stitching and carbon shells, a Mopar gearknob with a carbon insert, a leather and Alcantara steering wheel with more carbon inserts, plush floor mats with a red logo courtesy of Mopar, Active Cruise Control, a premium Harman Kardon audio system, 8.8-inch Alfa Connect 3D Navigation infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB. Phew! Oh, and carbon-ceramic brakes. Perhaps we shouldn't have left those until last, really. Ahem.

No, you shouldn't. So, just 108 of each - what else has Alfa got for the Geneva show?

There's a Performance Pack for the Stelvio SUV, which lumps together some choice options in one attractive bundle - namely, Alfa Active Suspension, a self-locking rear mechanical differential and paddle shifters machined from solid aluminium on the steering column. The Stelvios on the stand in Geneva have the PP, as well as showing off the new interior for the SUV, which now features extended leather on the door cards and dashboard.

OK, and is there anything else?

Yes, first of all there's a Giulia Veloce Ti, which uses the 280hp engine but adds Q4 all-wheel drive into the mix and a lot of carbon details, inside and out, courtesy of Mopar. No word on whether the Q4 Ti could make it to a right-hand-drive market like the UK. There are also limited-edition versions of the flawed but fun 4C sports car, again restricted to 108 examples of each. Choose from the Coupe Competizione, replete with loads of carbon fibre on the outside and a red-stitched cabin within, or the Spider Italia, boasting yellow for the calipers and interior stitching, plus asymmetrical five-spoke alloys (18 inches front, 19 inches rear) and a gaudy 'Spider Italia' sticker in red, white and green up the side of the car.