Alfa Romeo is 100-years old in 2010 and the best way to celebrate is with the official unveiling of the new Giulietta hatch at the
Geneva motorshow.
The 147 replacement has had a troubled start to life with three name changes before pressure from Alfa's workforce dictated the Giulietta name. Now that's sorted, Alfa has said the five-door hatch will be launched in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June.
Five different models will be on display at the Geneva show, including two Cloverleaf models that will especially appeal to Alfa's enthusiastic followers. Each Cloverleaf version will be powered by Alfa's 1750 TBi turbocharged petrol engine with 235bhp. There will also be a 170bhp 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo petrol and a pair of 2.0-litre turbodiesels with 170bhp.
A 120bhp 1.4 petrol turbo will be the entry-level engine for the Giulietta when it goes on sale in the UK at the end of June. This engine will come with Alfa's Start&Stop technology to switch the engine off when the car is stationary, reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
The 170bhp 1.4 petrol engine and the turbodiesels will also feature Start&Stop as standard. A six-speed manual gearbox will also be part of the package in all Giuliettas and higher spec models will come with Alfa's 'DNA' selector for different driving modes. This offers the choice of Dynamic, Normal and All-weather settings that alter the steering and throttle responses to suit the conditions. All Giuliettas will come with VDC traction and stability control.
Cloverleaf performance variants will come with 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, while other models will use 16-inch alloys. Other standard kit will include climate and cruise controls, CD stereo with MP3 connection and seats trimmed in Alfa's Competizione fabric. Sport and Premium packs will be available to upgrade the Giulietta, with the Sport pack offering larger alloy wheels, side skirts, alloy pedals and sports seats. The Premium pack provides Alfa's Blue&Me infotainment system, rear parking sensors and electrically folding door mirrors.
Alfa will reveal prices for the Giulietta closer to it going on sale in the UK, but expect them to be competitive in the same way as the MiTo is, as Alfa wants to take sales from mainstream rivals such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.
Alisdair Suttie - 26 Feb 2010
