Wednesday 3rd March 2010

Geneva: Alfa Romeo Giulietta Revealed

Alfa's 147 follow-up gets its moment in the spotlight

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After months of speculation, rumours about its name and a drip-feed of leaked and official images, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta has broken cover 'in the metal' at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Focus-sized car is longer and lower than the best selling 147 it replaces. Alfa is so confident they'll see a repeat of the 147's success with the Giulietta that they're planning selling 100,000 a year.

Alfa Romeo's new design language (read: make everything look like an 8C) works out well on the Giulietta, though that rear window is a little on the small side... While it looks like a low slung (ish) hatch, it's actually 50mm taller than the 147 it replaces. We also know it'll be available with a wide selection of 16"-18" wheels, so there are plenty of choices to suit your style requirements.

The car will be available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines from launch with a 170bhp turbodiesel topping the line up. That is until the 230bhp Cloverleaf version breaks cover later this year.

No word on UK spec or prices yet, but we'll know more when the car launches at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this Summer.

[Essex Exile]

So it's longer, lower and actually 500 mm taller than the 147?
Righto!
I'm confused now

[Cacatous]

I think this car looks great. Especially in Alfa red with black wheels.

[lionrampant]

Yes indeed. Not quite as lovely as one would have hoped, but still a very chicly Italian take on the small hatch.

[anonymous-user]

Top of the range will be 170bhp Multiair Petrol

[lionrampant]

MonkeyMatt said:

Top of the range will be 170bhp Multiair Petrol

Now if Alfa would go back to RWD...

[DodoRacing]

Attractive, flowing and not overdone design that would fit with its market very well. I see some similarity to Scirocco.

[anonymous-user]

If it is as good as early suggestions are saying this could be the car that saves Alfa! though they really need a good affordable sports car to boost the lineup!

[soad]

I love it - looks great.

[Captain Vantage]

Well done Alfa, that's a beauty!
Certainly when compared to the grey lifeless shapes that Germany is currently producing in this sector.
Now all they need is an MX-5 rival with rear wheel drive, a new Duetto perhaps?!

[Alfanatic]

MonkeyMatt said:

If it is as good as early suggestions are saying this could be the car that saves Alfa! though they really need a good affordable RWD sports car to boost the lineup!

I agree, but added my 2p too.

[cliffie]

That is lovely. Love the subtlety of the rear doors on the Alfas.

[alfa pint]

Captain Vantage said:

Well done Alfa, that's a beauty!
Certainly when compared to the grey lifeless shapes that Germany is currently producing in this sector.
Now all they need is an MX-5 rival with rear wheel drive, a new Duetto perhaps?!

That would be lovely - especially since they fecked up the new spider by making it too heavy and too sluggish.

[Matt_]

Cant make my mind up on this, it looks good in these pics but I need to see a few in the metal to decide.

I hope it doesn't turn out like the MiTo which is ridiculously proportioned and looks terrible when you see one on the road

[T89 Callan]

Not the best looking Alfa of recent times....

[Alfanatic]

Matt_ said:

Cant make my mind up on this, it looks good in these pics but I need to see a few in the metal to decide.

I hope it doesn't turn out like the MiTo which is ridiculously proportioned and looks terrible when you see one on the road

I agree with that, the MiTo looked OK to me in pictures - except from the front - but when I see them in the flesh they look horribly tall and dumpy. It worries me that the Giulietta is taller than the 147, but I guess judgment needs to be reserved until seen in the flesh. But yes, this does look rather nice in the pics.

[BBS-LM]

"Alfa Romeo's new design language (read: make everything look like an 8C)"

[Dangermouse78]

It does look atad MiTo-ish but thats not such a bad thing as proportionatly this car balances the look better, Cant wait to see one in the flesh

[alolympic]

Better looking than the Mito, looks like a SEAT, umm.......no other thoughts really

[pits]

BBS-LM said:

"Alfa Romeo's new design language (read: make everything look like an 8C)"

Same as
"Aston Martins new design language (read: make everything look like a DB9)"
"porsches new design language (read: make everything look like a 911)"
"Mercedes new design language (read: make everything look like roughly the same, just change the badge on the back)"
etc etc etc

I have had a post on the subject of these car companies who have designers who design something really awesome, then apply that same style to every car in the range, everything is getting a bit bland and rubbish, Renault need to step up there game and release something really weird like they did years ago with the Megane, and the Clio

[FWDRacer]

T89 Callan said:

Not the best looking Alfa of recent times....

Front overhang is comical.