The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is now available to order with Alfa's TCT twin clutch, semi automatic transmission.

Available with either the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170bhp petrol engine or the 2.0 JTDM-2 170bhp diesel, the dry clutch system is said to be six per cent more efficient than 'wet' systems offered by competitors. This equates to better fuel economy with the petrol version returning 54.3mpg (on the combined cycle) and the diesel doing 62.8mpg. CO₂ emissions have also improved with the petrol putting out 121g/km and the diesel 119g/km. This compares with 134- and 124g/km for non TCT equipped cars.

Performance-wise the MultiAir can complete the 0-62mph sprint in 7.7 seconds and has a top speed of 135mph. The JDTM-2 diesel has the same top speed and at 7.9 seconds is only marginally slower than its petrol counterpart off the line.

Both cars are available in Lusso and Veloce trims with prices starting from £22,345 for the petrol and £24,040 for the diesel.

Paul Healy - 25 Oct 2011