That wasn't the first pleasant surprise on the run to Modena though. As we popped out of the Channel tunnel into France, I pressed the map function on the dash and the screen promptly displayed our exact location. Of late I've come to rely on the Alfa's sat-nav more and more. It must rate as one of the easiest to use, and it'll compute the most accurate arrival time I've ever experienced.

Turns out that if you have the UK disc, it also offers skeleton coverage for the whole of Europe. It proved good enough for us to dial in the address of our hotel in Italy and then sit back for the following 943 miles. Which took 12hrs 28mins at an average of 78mph and 25.8mpg, according to the trip computer.

That was an easy day compared with the return run. The Zonda took no prisoners and snapper Andy had to stir the 166's six gears frantically in an effort to keep up. At one point he saw 157mph, but it was the ease with which vast distances were covered that really impressed. Wind noise is incredibly low, even as the V6 sings towards the redline in top.

The only mishap during the 2200-mile trip was when the Zonda flicked up a piece of wood at 100mph-plus and put a dent in the Alfa's elegant bonnet. The 166 has also fallen victim to 'anonymous clumsy parker syndrome', sustaining a dinged rear arch, so we've booked it in for a well-earned 12,000-mile service with extras.