RE: Alfa Romeo Giulietta estate
Wednesday 21st December 2011
Range-depleted Alfa Romeo is plotting an estate version of its strong selling Giulietta hatchback.
Bigger bootied Giulietta on its wayThis year Alfa culled almost as many models as featured in Renault's recent announcement, although unlike the French maker the axe wasn't confined to the UK. The Italian firm stopped making the 159 saloon and estate in November, which joined the Brera and Spider, as well as the long-running GT coupe, in heading for the door. Alfa hasn't sold the 166 saloon since 2007.
Mid 80s Alfa 33 Sportwagon had 4WDThe same 2010 plan revealed two crossovers are in the works, and it's possible the smaller, Jeep-based Qashqai rival could hit showrooms by the end of the 2012 although, given Alfa's timekeeping, it looks unlikely. A larger X3 rival is pencilled in for 2014.
Lovely Giulia SW proves estates can be glam tooIt also gives us the ideal excuse to run a picture of the very rare SW based on the 60s Giulia. Wrong name of course, but given how cars have expanded, a good size match we'd wager
Alfa Romeo Giulietta estate
Bigger bummed Alfa Romeo Giulietta is on its way
However the planned SW won't go on sale until 2013, according to Automotive News Europe, leaving the marque with just two models, the Giulietta hatch and MiTo supermini, to sell next year.
Bigger bootied Giulietta on its way
Alfa's five-year plan unveiled last year promised the 159 replacement, the Giulia, would be launched next year. However that has now been delayed until 2013. Also on the horizon is the much anticipated 4C coupe, but again that won't be on the market until 2013.
Mid 80s Alfa 33 Sportwagon had 4WD
However, despite having to rely on two models, Alfa in the UK is having a very good year. Up to the end of November, sales were up 41 per cent on this time last year, with the total so far of 10,995 soundly beating last year's figure of 8,834 cars sold. Back in 2008, the firm shifted just 5,960.
The promise of a new Giulietta-based estate would fill a niche last catered by the 33 Sportwagon from 1985. That came with the surprising option of four-wheel drive, with the rear diff reducing practicality by munching into the boot space.
Lovely Giulia SW proves estates can be glam too
Discussion
Good news for us Alfa fans.
Alfa only hold around a 1% share of UK sales at the moment so only a minnow. But then this is part of the appeal as it makes many of them a rare sight on the roads.
Has been reassuring to see a lot of Mito's and Giuliettas on the roads this year.
Quality has come on a loooong way with recent models over the old 147/ 156s.
Lets hope they can enjoy the same success with the new models due in 2013 and that until that time they can continue to do well with the Mito and Giulietta.
Alfa only hold around a 1% share of UK sales at the moment so only a minnow. But then this is part of the appeal as it makes many of them a rare sight on the roads.
Has been reassuring to see a lot of Mito's and Giuliettas on the roads this year.
Quality has come on a loooong way with recent models over the old 147/ 156s.
Lets hope they can enjoy the same success with the new models due in 2013 and that until that time they can continue to do well with the Mito and Giulietta.
[quote]Mid 80s Alfa 33 Sportwagon had 4WD
[/quote]
And was pish. I had one. Always found Alfa's naming of it as Permanent 4 to be ironic as it would happily spin the front wheels for 2-3 seconds before the diff would even think of transferring any power to the rear, usually accompanied by a horrendous thump and screech.
[/quote]
And was pish. I had one. Always found Alfa's naming of it as Permanent 4 to be ironic as it would happily spin the front wheels for 2-3 seconds before the diff would even think of transferring any power to the rear, usually accompanied by a horrendous thump and screech.
Alfa159Ti said:
Good news for us Alfa fans.
Quality has come on a loooong way with recent models over the old 147/ 156s.
really ? mines in the garage again ! its a rattly heap of crap and we should have bought a golf.Quality has come on a loooong way with recent models over the old 147/ 156s.
but it is very pretty well ours is the 3 others in the works carpark arnt they look a bit noddy on the standard small wheels
Alfa159Ti said:
Good news for us Alfa fans.
Alfa only hold around a 1% share of UK sales at the moment so only a minnow. But then this is part of the appeal as it makes many of them a rare sight on the roads.
Has been reassuring to see a lot of Mito's and Giuliettas on the roads this year.
Quality has come on a loooong way with recent models over the old 147/ 156s.
Lets hope they can enjoy the same success with the new models due in 2013 and that until that time they can continue to do well with the Mito and Giulietta.
Alfa only hold around a 1% share of UK sales at the moment so only a minnow. But then this is part of the appeal as it makes many of them a rare sight on the roads.
Has been reassuring to see a lot of Mito's and Giuliettas on the roads this year.
Quality has come on a loooong way with recent models over the old 147/ 156s.
Lets hope they can enjoy the same success with the new models due in 2013 and that until that time they can continue to do well with the Mito and Giulietta.
The way I see it, the Giulietta could develop in the way the 155 did. You could spin an estate, four-door saloon, two/three-door coupe and maybe even a convertible off the same platform, and so long as each model is cohesively penned individually by an Italian design house rather than just chopped and tweaked versions of the same car with the same corporate 'face', it'll retain the Giulietta's driving characteristics.
Alfa's problem was that they had too many platforms spread out over too many models. By consolidating them all under this one, and raising their profile with the 4C, they can do rather well.
I remember a few years ago, it was pretty much decided that if the Mito failed, Alfa would fail. The fact that it's become a big seller means they can contemplate a future like this.
Not sure about the SUVs though. Alfa has done them in the past (1900 Matta, 156 Crosswagon), and if they're more along the lines of hunkered-down 4WD sports-estate they could be onto a winner, but a great hulking soft-roader designed around the paranoid whims of Daily Fail readers would be completely against their values.
Twincam16 said:
it'll retain the Giulietta's driving characteristics.
Isn't that the problem? The Giuletta's biggest criticism is its rather average dynamics, even compared to the theoretically humdrum Focus and Astra, both of which embarrass this supposed premium sporting hatch on the road.Ali_T said:
Twincam16 said:
it'll retain the Giulietta's driving characteristics.
Isn't that the problem? The Giuletta's biggest criticism is its rather average dynamics, even compared to the theoretically humdrum Focus and Astra, both of which embarrass this supposed premium sporting hatch on the road.
Twincam16 said:
Huh? I've heard the exact opposite.
I've yet to read a remotely glowing review of the handing. Competent and safe seem to be the words used most often. But the QV is a big disappointment even against the Golf GTi, never mind the Renaultsports, STIs and Evos of the world, and the pricing in the UK actually makes it more expensive than the latter two if you even glance at the options list (most of which come as standard on the Japanese cars).Ali_T said:
I've yet to read a remotely glowing review of the handing. Competent and safe seem to be the words used most often. But the QV is a big disappointment even against the Golf GTi, never mind the Renaultsports, STIs and Evos of the world, and the pricing in the UK actually makes it more expensive than the latter two if you even glance at the options list (most of which come as standard on the Japanese cars).
Not sure where you have been reading, Giulietta handling is rated almost everywhere that I have seen but agreed they seem to be less keen on the QV.AutoCar
The Giulietta is a great car to drive, balanced and accurate, but reasonably supple with it. The steering is sweetly weighted and loads gently as cornering speeds rise, but is so high geared (2.2 turns lock to lock) that you never need to alter your hands from ten-to-two, not even for hairpins. The car has class-leading grip, plus neatness and poise in corners and will throttle-steer neatly when driven hard.
Car
the Giullietta rides with a suppleness that’s been sorely lacking in recent Alfas, even on our optioned-out test car with its sportier dampers and 17in wheels. It steers crisply too thanks to a new fully electric twin pinion steering rack whose motor is mounted away from the steering column to minimise artificial sensations through the rim.
With just 2.2 turns between the stops it’s fast but never nervous around the straight ahead and with a realistic build-up of weight as the cornering speeds rise. And they really can rise: the Q2 electronic differential standard on every single model provides a staggering amount of traction, even on rain-drenched tarmac and the body control on our sport-equipped car was good.
Top Gear
With the ‘DNA' switch - the button that allows you to adjust dampers, differential settings and throttle response on the fly - set to sharpest ‘dynamic' mode (an action which also causes a nice little G-meter to pop up on the satnav screen, making us very happy indeed), it's sublime, deliciously supple and controlled. As far as it's possible to tell on drenched roads, it clings on nicely, but can be easily coaxed into cheeky, controlled wet-roundabout slides.
There's an almost organic quality to the Giulietta's steering that makes your A3 feel lifeless, your 1-Series feel over-brittle. On a good road, it's everything an Alfa should be. Fun.
Alfa have no doubt tried to strike a better balance of sport and safety with the Giulietta but it seems to be going down well. I have driven one and the 1.4 TBI is a cracker of a car.
Evo:
Dynamic also loosens the tail a little before VDC intervenes, but this is still not a car to be pointed keenly into a bend on a trailing throttle and caught with a dab of power. It's too tied-down and inert for that, which is a shame for an Alfa Romeo. This is more a GT than a proper hot hatchback, an impression heightened by the engine's inability to pass 6250rpm, and a trick has been missed.
Fifth Gear:
The Giulietta handles in a way that is better described as proficient, rather than thrilling. The steering is responsive, but it is best left in Dynamic mode should you wish to attack a corner with any vigour. It lacks some of the flair that has made Alfas distinctive though.
Autocar:
What’s it like?
That rather depends on your expectations. If you’re looking for a focused hot-hatch then you’ll be mildly disappointed.
Should I buy one?
Not if performance and handling are top priorities
Top Gear:
But there is a problem. If you drive the Giulietta on the raggedy edge, it loses some of that composure. Where Megane RenaultSports or Golf GTIs keep on giving no matter how much they're pushed, the Cloverleaf doesn't become better the quicker you go. The steering bucks around in your hands more and the damping can't keep up with the higher speeds. Go barrelling into a corner in the Alfa too hard and the car gets too nose heavy, with no sensation of the Cloverleaf pivoting around you like the best hot hatches have. The natural chassis balance isn't quite there.
Auto Express
What a disappointment. The Alfa looks great and has cracking petrol and diesel engines, but its uninspiring chassis undermines the package. The ineffective DNA drive mode selection system prevents the driver from getting the best combination of steering and throttle responses.
2nd last in 20 hot hatches:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests...
I could go on but I didn't buy one, in the end, and have no regrets going the Evo X route (which was cheaper BTW). But it's rather sad that the one thing the fastest Giulietta lacks is any real feeling of it being fun to drive. That should be a given on an Alfa, but hasn't been for decades.
Dynamic also loosens the tail a little before VDC intervenes, but this is still not a car to be pointed keenly into a bend on a trailing throttle and caught with a dab of power. It's too tied-down and inert for that, which is a shame for an Alfa Romeo. This is more a GT than a proper hot hatchback, an impression heightened by the engine's inability to pass 6250rpm, and a trick has been missed.
Fifth Gear:
The Giulietta handles in a way that is better described as proficient, rather than thrilling. The steering is responsive, but it is best left in Dynamic mode should you wish to attack a corner with any vigour. It lacks some of the flair that has made Alfas distinctive though.
Autocar:
What’s it like?
That rather depends on your expectations. If you’re looking for a focused hot-hatch then you’ll be mildly disappointed.
Should I buy one?
Not if performance and handling are top priorities
Top Gear:
But there is a problem. If you drive the Giulietta on the raggedy edge, it loses some of that composure. Where Megane RenaultSports or Golf GTIs keep on giving no matter how much they're pushed, the Cloverleaf doesn't become better the quicker you go. The steering bucks around in your hands more and the damping can't keep up with the higher speeds. Go barrelling into a corner in the Alfa too hard and the car gets too nose heavy, with no sensation of the Cloverleaf pivoting around you like the best hot hatches have. The natural chassis balance isn't quite there.
Auto Express
What a disappointment. The Alfa looks great and has cracking petrol and diesel engines, but its uninspiring chassis undermines the package. The ineffective DNA drive mode selection system prevents the driver from getting the best combination of steering and throttle responses.
2nd last in 20 hot hatches:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests...
I could go on but I didn't buy one, in the end, and have no regrets going the Evo X route (which was cheaper BTW). But it's rather sad that the one thing the fastest Giulietta lacks is any real feeling of it being fun to drive. That should be a given on an Alfa, but hasn't been for decades.
if the demo cars the mags got has geometry anything like ours has then it will be s
te 
camber on front is stupid inside of tire was sub 1.6 yet outside edgge was at about 6 the rears are wearing in a seemingly wavey pattern to quote the alfa tech that looked at it ive never seen anything like it oh and they claim there is nowt they can do after they have replaced the entire rear end dampers and bushes etc it still knocks over speed bumps and the drivers door rattles god knows what
te camber on front is stupid inside of tire was sub 1.6 yet outside edgge was at about 6 the rears are wearing in a seemingly wavey pattern to quote the alfa tech that looked at it ive never seen anything like it oh and they claim there is nowt they can do after they have replaced the entire rear end dampers and bushes etc it still knocks over speed bumps and the drivers door rattles god knows what Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff