Yesterday saw the launch of the new look(ish) Alfa Romeo Giulietta which will come in a choice of five trims, with the basic model starting at £18,450 and the top of the range starting at £28,480. The new models have received revised styling details as well as a higher level of standard equipment.
What's Changed?
The new Giulietta features a new honeycomb grille - similar to the one found on the Giulia -as well as new alloy wheels, piano black bumper inserts, new badges and revised tail pipes. Two new colours are also available, Alfa White and Lipari Grey. The interior has also been revised, with improved upholstery, dashboard/door panels plus improved technology. Forming the technological revisions are a new trip computer plus Alfa's Uconnect infotainment system, which now uses smartphone-enabled live services such as Deezer, TuneIn, Reuters, Facebook and Twitter.
Other changes to the new model include the choice to mate the Italian brand's 1.6 litre JTDM-2turbo diesel with the ALFA TCT twim dry-clutch transmission. This offers a modest 120 bhp with 320Nm of torque. This translates to a top speed of 121 mph with a 0-62 time of 10.2 seconds. This figures are far from sporty but on the plus side it does make this combination frugal as Alfa claim the Giulietta can offer 74.3 mpg.
Want More Performance?
However, if you are looking for something more sporty - let's face it, you're buying an Alfa so you probably are - then you can opt for the range topping Veloce which features the 1.7 litre engine which offers a more competitive 240 bhp - that's more like it. This means you can take advantage of top speed 152 mph, with 0-62 coming in 6 seconds. That is much better, BUT, this model starts at £28,480 and that is rather steep.
Rivals
This price puts the Giulietta dangerously close to the award winning Focus RS (priced at £30,000) and more expensive than the Golf R. However, it is cheaper around £5,000 cheaper than the BMW M135i around £12,000 cheaper than the Audi RS3 Sportback and Mercedes-Benz AMG A45. I'll be honest though, as stylish as the Alfa is, I think I'd rather go with the Focus or the Golf....