RE: Alfa Romeo Giulia: Driven

RE: Alfa Romeo Giulia: Driven

Tuesday 17th May 2016

2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia | Review

While the QV chases M3s and AMGs the rest of the range has to tempt us from our 320ds and C-Class diesels - is it up to it?



In one of those strange coincidences that happens when you drive lots of cars, I travel to Italy to drive the new Alfa Romeo Giulia just two days after having a go in a 2001 Alfa 156 V6. One with - get this - 150,000 miles on the clock, the continued existence of which confounds pretty much every negative stereotype about both the brand and its products.

It was not, as you would imagine, perfect. The wheelarches were rusty, trim and suspension creaked over bumps and - as it always was - the 2.5-litre engine was a torque-free zone, pretty much refusing to get out of bed below 5,000rpm and reserving its snarliest noises for last couple of hundred revs before the 7,000rpm limiter.

But it also slapped some stark perspective on the scale of the challenge facing the new Giulia. The 156 was definitely Alfa's high water mark, selling strongly on the back of its handsome design and sparky dynamics. Even today it still feels charismatic and engaging.

By contrast the Giulia arrives with Alfa at one of its lowest ebbs, and is here to spearhead a product-led renaissance that, company boss Harald Wester assures us, will give us a full range of six cars by 2020. The aim of course being to help the company's beleaguered dealers to fill their showrooms with something other than Mitos, the 4C and tumbleweed.

If it had hands, the Giulia would hold the future of the company in them.


Trazione posteriore
As established in attention grabbing style by the Quadrifoglio Verde the basics are promising. The Giulia is rear-wheel drive, the first Alfa saloon to send its power to the back since the 75 died back in 1992. It sits on an all-new platform, one that will go onto underpin various other models including a small SUV. It's powered by a range of equally fresh engines, with new four-cylinder petrol and diesel turbos and aforementioned M3-rivalling QV with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 and 510hp at the top of the range.

All right-hand drive versions will get an eight-speed automatic as standard; manuals are only being offered for left-hand drive. For similar reasons we won't get the all-wheel drive system that will be offered as an option on left-hookers; apparently demand isn't sufficient in any RHD territory to justify the costs of either the manual or integrale versions. Boo, hiss, etc.

Comparison with the 156 doesn't do many favours for the Giulia's styling. It's distinctive, but does without any of the design confidence of its grandfather. The mono nostril grille is pure Alfa - apparently I'm showing my age by still making Daniella Westbrook jokes - but the rest of it seems to have more influences than a teenage acid-funk-reggae band. I can't look at the side-on profile without thinking of the E46 BMW 3 Series - there's even a Hofmeister kink - and the back end seems to be riffing hard on the Infiniti Q50 and maybe even the Kia Magentis.


Style counsel
The cabin is spacious with usable room both front and rear and - getting sensible here - a decent sized boot. But the build quality of the cars at the launch event was, let's say, sub-optimal. Most seemed to manifest at least one electronics glitch and many of the interior mouldings feel flimsy, the switches on the centre console wobbling noticeably under pressure. The central display screen looks like it should be touch sensitive, but isn't. Instead it's controlled by an old-school turn-and-click wheel.

Sadly my plans to nab a Quadrifoglio and see what it will do on the Autostrada are stymied by the fact that it's been restricted to driving the track at Balocco, FCA's vast proving ground in northern Italy. Also through sheer pressure of numbers; Alfa has just four for 50-something journos. But then you knew about that already...

There's no shortage of diesel versions though, nor any restrictions about where to drive them. The engine is definitely class competitive, but not doing much to raise the segment average. The top-spec 180hp version spins up smoothly and stays quiet under everything but a caning, the standard eight-speed auto doing a decent job of keeping it in its powerband. Alfa claims a 7.1-second 0-62mph time - faster than the BMW 320d and Mercedes C220d - with the more relevant figure for most user-choosers probably the 109g/km CO2 figure.


Refined tastes
Refinement is good, indeed very good, with minimal road, wind and engine noise even at an indicated 160km/h on the Autostrada. It tracks straight at speed and ride quality felt good enough to have me deliberately aiming for potholes to try and catch it out; it's pliant and very well damped even on even the roughest tarmac. Alfa execs seem to prefer comparison to the 3 Series, but initial impressions are closer to the C-Class.

Corners enable the Giulia to show off some impressive agility. The steering is quick geared - bordering on too fast for my taste - with keen front end responses and lots of grip. Weighting is good and, although there's little feel through the EPS, the taut chassis gives a strong inertial sense of what's going on. Sending torque backwards definitely helps to minimise steering corruption, but it quickly transpires that it's not allowed to do anything else. There's less initial understeer than in a 3 Series, but approach the lateral limits of the rear tyres and the stability control steps in with all the subtlety and restraint of a Silvio Berlusconi pool party. It's not long before I'm looking for the off switch.

And not finding it, for the simple fact there isn't one. The rotary 'DNA' controller enables the usual selection between Normal, Dynamic and All-Weather modes, but it lacks the extra 'Race' position that the Quadrifoglio gets. Meaning no way to turn the traction even half-off, which seems a waste given how fundamentally decent the chassis seems to be in the Quadrifoglio. The result is a car that feels fast and accurate, but lacks much of a sense of fun. It's a bit clinical. And that's not really an Alfa word, is it?


Forza!
The petrol version scores a considerably nicer engine. There's a hint of lag as the twin-scroll turbo gathers pace, but it pulls harder and sounds far nicer while it does so. Peak power comes at 5,500rpm, and the automatic refuses to rev the engine past 5,750. Switching the manual mode and 'Dynamic' mode, which won't shift up when it reaches the limiter, proves the engine will go to 6,000rpm, but only for a couple of seconds before it winds itself back down to 5,750rpm. Which is a bit odd, but doesn't get in the way of the driveability. The stability control maintains its iron fist discipline, though. With the practical hat back on, CO2 emissions set to be under 140g/km aren't too bad either.

Yes, the lack of a manual gearbox is a bit disappointing. However, as 80 per cent of the segment in the UK now comes with a slusher and Alfa's making a standing start in a part of the market it's not been in for over five years, there's no surprise that investment has gone elsewhere. You don't install a new bathroom while your roof is on fire.

There's lots to like about the Giulia, there really is. Control weighting is pretty much spot-on, there's genuine feel through the brake pedal and the auto 'box shifts impressively quickly in its manual mode, and the metal change paddles behind the steering wheel feel great. It's got presence as well, certainly in Italy where the reaction to this home team champion seemed to be universally positive. In a segment where it seems to be almost impossible not to make a default choice, it's a breath of Alpine-crisp air - we just need to hope some of the niggles are addressed before it arrives later this year.


ALFA ROMEO GIULIA 2.2d 150/180
Engine
: 2,143cc, four-cylinder turbo diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual (8-speed auto), rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 150@4,000rpm/180@3,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@1,500rpm (332@1,750rpm)
0-62mph: 8.4sec (8.2sec)/7.2sec (7.1sec)
Top speed: 137mph/143mph
Weight: 1,374kg (1,445kg)
MPG: 67.3
CO2: 109g/km
Price: £35,000 (estimate)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Tim Brown

Author
Discussion

Guvernator

Original Poster:

13,103 posts

164 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
After looking forward to this car (who wasn't excited by the promise of a RWD Alfa to take on the boring Germans?), I have to say I'm feeling a little disappointed. No manual gearbox on the QV and no decently powered mid-range petrol engine to compete with the M\AMG\S sub-brands of the Germans.

I'm sure the lower power petrols and diesels will be a breath of fresh air for fleet\company buyers as an alternative to the ubiquitous German rep diesels but there is nothing here to stir the blood of the enthusiast IMO which is a shame as a petrol manual with 300bhp or possibly even the QV was definitely on my radar as my next car.

Not even a DCT box? The 8 speed ZF is a decent auto but it doesn't belong in a performance saloon I'm afraid. The QV will be relegated for me to the same bin as AMG cars, good cars with great engines, spoiled by choice of gearbox.

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Guvernator said:
After looking forward to this car (who wasn't excited by the promise of a RWD Alfa to take on the boring Germans?), I have to say I'm feeling a little disappointed. No manual gearbox on the QV and no decently powered mid-range petrol engine to compete with the M\AMG\S sub-brands of the Germans.

I'm sure the lower power petrols and diesels will be a breath of fresh air for fleet\company buyers as an alternative to the ubiquitous German rep diesels but there is nothing here to stir the blood of the enthusiast IMO which is a shame as a petrol manual with 300bhp or possibly even the QV was definitely on my radar as my next car.

Not even a DCT box? The 8 speed ZF is a decent auto but it doesn't belong in a performance saloon I'm afraid. The QV will be relegated for me to the same bin as AMG cars, good cars with great engines, spoiled by choice of gearbox.
I've heard, on the Alfisti grape vine, that the ZF in the QV is a stop gap as the TCT box isn't ready yet. A TCT was definitely listed for the QV in the earlier leaked engine range that's proven to be true, so far. As for other petrol options, they're coming, as is a V6 diesel out the Ghibli. They've already shown a 280bhp version of the 2.0 I4 at New York, and there's also been rumour son a 330-350bhp version in development. No other V6 petrols confirmed, though.

Edited by Ali_T on Monday 16th May 12:21

Oddball RS

1,757 posts

217 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
I think this is a case of expectations being 'unrealistic' we imagine Alfa to be something they haven't been for decades and decades and get upset when their product is well average.

And don't mention the dealer back up / attitudes.

Crunchy Nutter

246 posts

193 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
"the 2.5-litre engine was a torque-free zone, pretty much refusing to get out of bed below 5,000rpm and reserving its snarliest noises for last couple of hundred revs before the 7,000rpm limiter."

You write that like it's a bad thing... wink

Guvernator

Original Poster:

13,103 posts

164 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Ali_T said:
I've heard, on the Alfisti grape vine, that the ZF in the QV is a stop gap as the TCT box isn't ready yet. A TCT was definitely listed for the QV in the earlier leaked engine range that's proven to be true, so far. As for other petrol options, they're coming, as is a V6 diesel out the Ghibli. They've already shown a 280bhp version of the 2.0 I4 at New York, and there's also been rumour son a 330-350bhp version in development. No other V6 petrols confirmed, though.
I'd not heard about the TCT but did hear rumours of a more powerful petrol so there is possibly some light at the end of the tunnel, it just seems to be taking ages to get there.

The fact that they cite cost as the reason for not making a RHD manual petrol isn't promising though as I don't see that changing any time soon. A TCT is preferable to an auto but still not quite the real deal in terms of driver engagement IMO.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Not sure about the profile and the rear end of this car. I'll await real judgement until I've see it for real.

The 159 should've been RWD with a lightened GTA V8 version, that would have really boosted Alfas fortunes. I really would like to run Alfas business one day to really sort it out.

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Sounds like they've done a good job overall (which itself is a novelty for Alfa) but it really doesn't have anything to distinguish it from the Germans for me.

dlockhart

434 posts

171 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
kambites said:
Sounds like they've done a good job overall (which itself is a novelty for Alfa) but it really doesn't have anything to distinguish it from the Germans for me.
Dont worry the germans will be far cheaper to finance.

loudlashadjuster

5,081 posts

183 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
£35,000 when the equivalent BMW/M-B/Audi is around £30k? Yeah, good luck with that, Alfa.

Really want to want one of these cars. They're building a new Alfa dealership just along from my work in Slough and I can't wait to have a poke about the Guilia. I've got another couple of years in the Skoda but then I should in theory be all over a suitable Guilia, what with a dealer next door to handle the inevitable reliability niggles/engine implosions </alfajoke>

What's the betting then that optimistic pricing, daft engine/specification combinations and resultant industry pessimism means the cost differential between the Guilia and something German is just too much to contend with?

It may not come to pass but if it does it'll be frustrating that, as with the XE, it almost seems that Alfa might not want me to buy one of their cars.


loudlashadjuster

5,081 posts

183 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
kambites said:
...it really doesn't have anything to distinguish it from the Germans for me.
Can you blame them though? I mean, that's obviously what people "want".

I trust there'll be enough Italo-quirkiness remaining to make it an interesting proposition.

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Guvernator said:
I'd not heard about the TCT but did hear rumours of a more powerful petrol so there is possibly some light at the end of the tunnel, it just seems to be taking ages to get there.

The fact that they cite cost as the reason for not making a RHD manual petrol isn't promising though as I don't see that changing any time soon. A TCT is preferable to an auto but still not quite the real deal in terms of driver engagement IMO.
This is the leaked spec sheet which has proven true, so far, covering the first year.



The lack of transmission options for RHD aren't a surprise. Especially the AWD, though it is disappointing, but even Jaguar do it for us. We're one of the few RHD countries that might use AWD (certainly not needed in South Africa, Australia and India!).

Esceptico

7,334 posts

108 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Looks a bit like a 3 series with an Alfa nose grafted on it.

I suspect that a lot of people with have a think about this and then go the "safer" route of buying German (at least if it is their own cash).

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
loudlashadjuster said:
kambites said:
...it really doesn't have anything to distinguish it from the Germans for me.
Can you blame them though? I mean, that's obviously what people "want".
It's a difficult one isn't it? If you make your car different than the big-three, no-one buys it because it's different; if you make it the same, no-one buys it because it's the same but people have less faith in the brand/dealers/whatever which in turns hurts residuals which increases rental rates.

KTF

9,788 posts

149 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
I wonder if it is the position of the clutch pedal or mechanism that is stopping the manual box being available for RHD cars. I would imagine the gearbox and clutch itself would fit in the same space as the automatic regardless of steering wheel position?

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Manual Giuliettas certainly lacked a left foot rest so could be.

robemcdonald

8,715 posts

195 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Realistically it won't matter how good the car is until the dealer network is sorted out. Imagine a Audi, merc, BMW die hard putting up with a tiny waiting room with a broken coffee machine or an 11 year old fiat punto courtesy car.
I hate to say it but I will be surprised if Alfa are still in the uk in 5-10 years time.

Speed1283

1,163 posts

94 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
Raid wanted to like this as in the next year or so I'll probably be looking for a sporty (ish) saloon as next move from my Z4.

Currently top of the list is the 340i, which is available with a manual box, has above 300bhp and is available with some hefty discounts. As others have said, such a shame that there is no 6 cylinder to sit between the QV and 2.0 turbo.



loudlashadjuster

5,081 posts

183 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
robemcdonald said:
Realistically it won't matter how good the car is until the dealer network is sorted out. Imagine a Audi, merc, BMW die hard putting up with a tiny waiting room with a broken coffee machine or an 11 year old fiat punto courtesy car.
I hate to say it but I will be surprised if Alfa are still in the uk in 5-10 years time.
That's one of the reasons I'm keen to see Thames' new showroom.

It's a brand-new combined Jeep/Alfa dealer and I've plenty of recent experience with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, VW, Audi and Jaguar to judge them against. They wouldn't be able to justify the expense against continued sales of a handful of Mitos so I'm hoping they're going to make it worthy of a product like the Guilia.

You're right though, if Alfa slip up here (and previous experience of Alfa dealers does not inspire much confidence) then they'll be sitting ducks in the market as the 'customer experience' is something all other premium brands seem to be working very hard on.

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
loudlashadjuster said:
robemcdonald said:
Realistically it won't matter how good the car is until the dealer network is sorted out. Imagine a Audi, merc, BMW die hard putting up with a tiny waiting room with a broken coffee machine or an 11 year old fiat punto courtesy car.
I hate to say it but I will be surprised if Alfa are still in the uk in 5-10 years time.
That's one of the reasons I'm keen to see Thames' new showroom.

It's a brand-new combined Jeep/Alfa dealer and I've plenty of recent experience with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, VW, Audi and Jaguar to judge them against. They wouldn't be able to justify the expense against continued sales of a handful of Mitos so I'm hoping they're going to make it worthy of a product like the Guilia.

You're right though, if Alfa slip up here (and previous experience of Alfa dealers does not inspire much confidence) then they'll be sitting ducks in the market as the 'customer experience' is something all other premium brands seem to be working very hard on.
This particular market segment (the fleet market) is absolutely brutal if the product and the product support is not perfect.

The write-up worries me, if Alfa can't even get a small number of press cars without quality issues, what hope the customer.

Unfortunately, the UK dealer network will seal this Alfa's fate - there effectively isn't one! You'll find a BMW, Audi and Benz dealer in every decent sized town - and they are generally all of a very contrived but similar standard.

I honestly can't remember passing an Alfa dealer in the last few years.

XJ40

5,983 posts

212 months

Monday 16th May 2016
quotequote all
I think it looks decent though I'm not bowled over by it, just seems a little on the bland side? At least it's something interesting/different in the market.

Interesting that there's no mention of or comparison with the 159 for which this is effectively a belated successor. I've a 159 and had a 156 previously. Looks-wise there are obvious similarities though I much prefer the distintive individual front lamp arrangement of the 159, that it shared with the Brera, to this more generic faired-in treatment. Though it sounds like the Giulia will be a good improvement dynamically, the RWD appeals. I'd consider the diesel in a few years time once it's lost a fair chunk of it's value...