RE: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde: Driven
Discussion
Friggatron said:
I really think this looks so good, especially in this colour too, I love how distinct it looks. Was behind a Maserati Ghibli earlier and it really didn't look prestige at all, which of course, not being 'shouty' is no bad thing, but it was at the lights alongside some Hyundai thing and a somethingorother Peugeot Estate, and all 3 seemed to have identical tail lights. The front of the Ghibli however is lovely, but if I was in the bracket for a sporty saloon in this bracket, i'd be straight to the Alfa dealership.
I seem to see Ghiblis alot and think you could put any badge on it. A shame that Maserati have diluted their prestige with diesel 5 series chasers.I'm glad to alfa back to RWD but this car looks like a cross between 3 series and XF imo.
Maybe the reason Pistonhead journos were kept waiting and didn't get much track time is because of the sites increasing irrelevance. The website design is outdated, the forums are full of non car people and the journalists whinge, PH journalists are not surprisingly way down the pecking order.
J1JPE said:
Odd how the paddles aren't attached to the steering wheel so remain at 9 and 3 o'clock position ...
How many other DSG, PDK autos have paddles that rotate with the wheel like the Giulietta does?
There's a definite division on this but then it's open season on "interior design" at the moment (with some really BAD ideas being tried)How many other DSG, PDK autos have paddles that rotate with the wheel like the Giulietta does?
Example: You have Ferrari putting s
t on the wheel which has NO PLACE BEING THERE like the Start button (you use it ONCE when you get in the car - why the fk is it on the wheel??) and indicators (no really, fk RIGHT off)You also have the 'connected or unconnected' paddles thing - some cars the paddles are a 'rocker' so you can go up/down on the left/right side (e.g. do everything one-handed if you wish)
FOr the record, I think putting them on/locking them to movement of the wheel is stupid but hey!
peter450 said:
I don't how much longer the 335 will stay as a six, fact is inline 4's will likely be the only options at sub 40k with very few exceptions...
Yup, already sort of happened -- they dropped the 335. It's a four pot 330 now, the 340 gets the only six in the non-M range. BMW being so obsessed with efficiency and/or greed actually makes it a bit easier for Alfa to compete IMO. Still would have liked a cooking Giulia with a petrol at launch time. The QF is over budget for me, although in Germany I think it's pretty good value. Starts at € 71.8k which undercuts the M3 by € 800.
crostonian said:
Maybe the reason Pistonhead journos were kept waiting and didn't get much track time is because of the sites increasing irrelevance. The website design is outdated, the forums are full of non car people and the journalists whinge, PH journalists are not surprisingly way down the pecking order.
That's not very nice.kambites said:
That sounds plausible and it's still a very respectable weight for the market sector.
Par for the course at least. German brochure lists the QF's EU weight at 1.655kg. 45 kilos more compared to a naked M3 but also 80 plus horses. The Giulia has bigger wheels, that active aero stuff and probably more kit -- so well done! Surprising IMO: they not only beat the M3 in price and power/weight, but also in playing the NEDC -- 198g CO2 vs. 204g. Not that any of this is really relevant 
.Talking of weight, if the numbers are correct, things look good for the cooking versions as well. Brochure lists the MT diesel Giulias at 1449kg. A 320d comes in at 1505kg, the equivalent A4 also 1505kg, a comparable C-Class 1550kg (and down on power). Closest the XE 20d in "PURE" spec at 1490kg. Would be rather nice if they really pulled this off -- would mean a basic petrol Giulia might end up only ~ 100kg heavier than a Toyobaru.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Still a bit disappointed as well. I was hoping for something in the vein of the 156/159. A bit less 'aggression' and a bit more elegance. But I can understand what they are doing. There must have been enormous pressure on the guys in styling, and what they came up with is something that plays it a bit too safe. Blends in nicely with the competition and looks fairly pretty in comparison -- but sadly not more. Haven't seen one in the metal though...Really hope they can shift loads of these so they can make a coupé and a Giulietta on the same platform. With BMW pulling out of RWD compacts, that makes a nice niche for them to take over...
Is it me or has Alfa suddenly developed headlight design problems? After the 4C's hideous Christmas tree design to spoil what is a lovely looking car, they have managed to do it again IMHO. They should have kept the triple light style (updated of course) of the 159, and the rears are not much better either. They look like they're off a Hyundai i40! Great looking var otherwise.....
405dogvan said:
J1JPE said:
Odd how the paddles aren't attached to the steering wheel so remain at 9 and 3 o'clock position ...
How many other DSG, PDK autos have paddles that rotate with the wheel like the Giulietta does?
There's a definite division on this but then it's open season on "interior design" at the moment (with some really BAD ideas being tried)How many other DSG, PDK autos have paddles that rotate with the wheel like the Giulietta does?
Example: You have Ferrari putting s
t on the wheel which has NO PLACE BEING THERE like the Start button (you use it ONCE when you get in the car - why the fk is it on the wheel??) and indicators (no really, fk RIGHT off)You also have the 'connected or unconnected' paddles thing - some cars the paddles are a 'rocker' so you can go up/down on the left/right side (e.g. do everything one-handed if you wish)
FOr the record, I think putting them on/locking them to movement of the wheel is stupid but hey!
Agree on the start button - would be better so ewhere else - and use the space for something else
Kolbenkopp said:
Still a bit disappointed as well. I was hoping for something in the vein of the 156/159. A bit less 'aggression' and a bit more elegance. But I can understand what they are doing. There must have been enormous pressure on the guys in styling, and what they came up with is something that plays it a bit too safe. Blends in nicely with the competition and looks fairly pretty in comparison -- but sadly not more. Haven't seen one in the metal though...
Really hope they can shift loads of these so they can make a coupé and a Giulietta on the same platform. With BMW pulling out of RWD compacts, that makes a nice niche for them to take over...
Remember that this is the 500 HP nutter car you are seeing. Take most of the twiddly bits off, and the "cooking" versions will look better. Similar with the 156 and 156 GTA. Really hope they can shift loads of these so they can make a coupé and a Giulietta on the same platform. With BMW pulling out of RWD compacts, that makes a nice niche for them to take over...
Bladedancer said:
So there is a manual version but it's not coming to UK?
That is just plain stupid IMO.
Out of interest, why? I imagine the market for RHD, manual versions of these cars is forecast to be tiny, why would they bother putting in the effort and spending the money on something that'll barely sell?That is just plain stupid IMO.
There's not doubt it's a shame for anyone that wants one and could afford one, but you can hardly call Alfa stupid for making the decision. Seems like good business sense to me.
MDL111 said:
The indicators on the wheel are perfect - much better than the usual position - esp if it is a car with paddles behind the steering wheel
Problem when you move something as ubiquitous as an indicator stalk, is almost no-one will come to your car and then never drive another car ever again and so you'll always be the 'wrong way' (I'm pretty sure no-one who owns a recent Ferrari will never drive anything else?)Note: As someone who's been lucky enough to have the indicators on the proper "RHD" side (e.g. owned an older Japanese car) I get annoyed enough that we mostly get them on the "LHD" side as is!!
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