RE: Alfa Giulia - Geneva 2016
Discussion
Of course this is PH and no doubt I will be burned at the altar of Driving Goodness for saying this, but I think Alfa have made a big mistake here.
People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
toppstuff said:
Of course this is PH and no doubt I will be burned at the altar of Driving Goodness for saying this, but I think Alfa have made a big mistake here.
People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
You are right. However, their plans to build this car were made several years ago before the SUV boom. They do have a SUV in the pipeline. Alfa's big problem is getting product to market in a timely fashion. They really are useless in that respect.People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
toppstuff said:
Of course this is PH and no doubt I will be burned at the altar of Driving Goodness for saying this, but I think Alfa have made a big mistake here.
People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
True for the UK but the 3-box shape is still very popular in other parts.People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
swisstoni said:
toppstuff said:
Of course this is PH and no doubt I will be burned at the altar of Driving Goodness for saying this, but I think Alfa have made a big mistake here.
People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
True for the UK but the 3-box shape is still very popular in other parts.People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
This Alfa is a lovely thing and I would love one, having a soft spot for Alfas. But it wont sell IMO.
The 3 series needs some competition.
In my eyes Alfa positioned itself correctly with doing the classical saloon car before the SUV. Even if the segment is shrinking they stand a better chance fighting the 3 Germans headon than going in with the plethora of small SUVs.
But they would also need the product to do so. Sadly in some of the IRL pictures (posted on other sites) interior parts still look unfinished, despite the massive delay in the project.
Gives me the impression, that cash strapped FCA underdeveloped this.
The C-Class interior is the Mini-Pagani, that the Giulia should have been.
Hope Alfa can improve my impression when the first dealer demonstrators come out, otherwise KIA will take the bacon with their RWD Sedan, that will come along next year.
Martin
In my eyes Alfa positioned itself correctly with doing the classical saloon car before the SUV. Even if the segment is shrinking they stand a better chance fighting the 3 Germans headon than going in with the plethora of small SUVs.
But they would also need the product to do so. Sadly in some of the IRL pictures (posted on other sites) interior parts still look unfinished, despite the massive delay in the project.
Gives me the impression, that cash strapped FCA underdeveloped this.
The C-Class interior is the Mini-Pagani, that the Giulia should have been.
Hope Alfa can improve my impression when the first dealer demonstrators come out, otherwise KIA will take the bacon with their RWD Sedan, that will come along next year.
Martin
Ali_T said:
The leaked memo from Alfa US listed all the engines as auto but the speech at Geneva said all the normal models have option of both in Europe. Top model for now, that isn't the QV, is the 280bhp petrol but there's definitely a 330bhp variant in testing. Rumour is it's already set an 8 minute time, as I said, but Alfa haven't confirmed that yet. That, the V6 diesels and the AWD versions will follow later, probably into next year. The standard spec is seriously good, even on base models, and all models come with an LSD, just not the torque vectoring from the QV.
That certainly sounds promising but yet again they are taking their sweet time. It seems like this car has been "coming" for years already and we have to wait another year for the one I'm really interested in. Lovely though the QV is, £60k is a bit too rich for me and I've often found the second tier petrol with around 300bhp is usually the sweet spot in the range in terms of price, running costs and driver thrills, IF it comes with a manual of course. The alternative is I wait 3 years for Alfa depreciation to work it's magic on the QV.Had a good look around this in Dubai Motor Show, the car is nice but I could never learn to love the snubbed front end. It does drop off like a cliff and has the car looking a lot like it had suffered an impact with a wall. Form side and rear and especially inside its great but that front is just not sitting well with me - too much like cyril sneer with his nose pushed in.
toppstuff said:
Of course this is PH and no doubt I will be burned at the altar of Driving Goodness for saying this, but I think Alfa have made a big mistake here.
People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
They are developing a small SUV based on the platform. People do not buy mid size saloons in the numbers they used to.
They should have spent their limited funds making a small SUV instead. Something to compete with a BMW X3 or Audi Q5. On a global basis, it would sell a lot more IMO.
phil1979 said:
In base spec I think it looks bland. But then I think the same of the base spec 159s.
If they do a wagon in a Ti-style spec with a warm engine, it's on my shopping list.
In the meantime, I'll hold on to this....
Guessing unfortunately that an SW version of the Giulia won't happen as the SUV will cover that base for AR, looks like I'll be keeping my Ti as well then.If they do a wagon in a Ti-style spec with a warm engine, it's on my shopping list.
In the meantime, I'll hold on to this....
Please let this be as good to drive as the class leaders. If its good, and they offer a proper 250bhp 6 cylinder diesel, or a petrol with around 250bhp this could finally be a viable alternative to my 330d.
BTW, the article states a V6 diesel would compete with the C350cdi. In the UK at least, the most powerful diesel C class is the 4 pot C250 cdi?
BTW, the article states a V6 diesel would compete with the C350cdi. In the UK at least, the most powerful diesel C class is the 4 pot C250 cdi?
LankyLegoHead said:
I wish they popped the 5-banger Diesel in this one. Made a cool noise.
Maybe a Ti?
I had one of those and agreed, it did make a nice noise and was a good cruising engine, but it wasn't very quick and the fuel economy was shocking.Maybe a Ti?
I swapped it for a 3.0 Z4 Coupe and found it no more expensive to run.
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