In the 1950s the Alfa Giulietta caught the imagination of the driving public with its sporty appeal, attractive looks, and accessible pricing. Now, over 50 years later, the Italian sporting car manufacturer is celebrating its centenary with an all-new namesake which goes on sale here on September 24. In advance of that, dealers will be conducting customer previews and they will begin at the end of this month.
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta range starts from an attractive €19,995 (1.4 TB, 120 bhp Turismo ). As with the Alfa MiTo there will be four trim levels. Turismo, Lusso, Veloce, and Cloverleaf.
Alfa say that the latest incarnation of the Giulietta has been designed to beat the best in the mid-size C segment. That’s no easy task considering the excellence of the competition in a category that now contributes one out of every four new cars sold in Europe.
To take on this challenge Alfa Romeo has penned an all-new car that sits on an all-new compact platform. This employs a combination of advanced engineering and sophisticated technical solutions to ensure the Giulietta can accommodate the needs of all customers in this category.
The result is a model that combines impeccable safety credentials, Italian style, comfort and functionality with the dynamic qualities taken for granted in Alfa Romeos. The hidden rear door handles give the five door Alfa Giulietta the style of a coupé, but the 300 litre boot space and seating for five adults make this a practical car to be driven every day.
The new Alfa Giulietta has an impressive array of safety systems as standard. These include VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control ) with Hill Holder and the Alfa Romeo D.N.A system. This system incorporates Electronic Q2 which works in conjunction with the braking system to simulate the presence of a mechanical limited slip differential for improved road-holding and increased lateral grip when cornering.
Six airbags – driver, passenger, two front side and two window airbags. And whilst the distinctive front and rear LEDs are to be admired for their aesthetic quality they are also Daytime Running Lights (DRLs ) that improve visibility to other road users – a key safety feature.
The new Alfa Giulietta was recently awarded a Euro NCAP five-star crash safety rating and an overall score of 87/100: an impressive result that makes it the safest compact car built to date. The rating is even more significant considering that since 2009, Euro NCAP has adopted new judgement criteria composed of four areas of accident assessment, namely Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian Protection and a new area: Safety Assist.
With all the active and passive safety features, Alfa say that it ensures that drivers can concentrate on getting maximum pleasure out of their driving while safe in the knowledge that the car is looking after them.
A range of five new engines - three petrol and two diesel - all of which are turbocharged and Euro 5 emissions-compliant, gives the Giulietta further flexibility and makes it best in class for emissions, acceleration and fuel consumption. Even the smallest capacity, a 1.4-litre, has a lusty 120bhp. The new 1.4-litre TB MultiAir 170bhp offers the lowest emissions and fuel consumption in its class for petrol engines of this power rating.
But the Giulietta isn’t just about being fun to drive. Each model, from the entry-level Turismo specification to the range-topping Cloverleaf, has a very high level of standard equipment. Electric windows all-round along with manual air conditioning and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors are all standard. Whichever the model, owners will get one of the safest cars on the road.
