What is it?
A revised version of Alfa Romeo's long-standing Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra rival.
Besides myriad cosmetic tweaks, including a new grille and alloy wheel designs, the Alfa benefits from a host of interior upgrades - most notably the addition of an all-new 'Uconnect' media system, redesigned seats and different trim panels.
A new 2.0-litre 'JTDm-2' diesel, more powerful and cleaner than the previous 2.0-litre unit, has also joined the Alfa's engine range. It uses new injectors, ones which can fire up to eight times per combustion cycle, resulting in more efficient combustion cycles.
Output from the turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel is rated at 148bhp and up to 280lb ft, some 10bhp and 22lb ft up compared to the older unit, which is sent through the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
Alfa claims 67.3mpg on the combined cycle for this 2.0-litre diesel Giulietta, and an appealing low emissions rating of 110g/km of CO2 - 4.5mpg more and 9g/km less than the outgoing engine.
Performance appears adequate on paper too, with a claimed 0-62mph time of 8.8sec and a top speed of 130mph, marginal improvements of 0.2sec and 3mph compared to the previous Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
Trim levels have also changed for the 2014 model year, with the new range comprising of 'Progression', 'Distinctive', 'Exclusive' and 'Sportiva Nav'.
We tested an Exclusive variant which comes as standard with dual-zone climate control, cruise control, sports suspension, a 5-inch Uconnect multimedia system with DAB and Bluetooth, USB and aux-in connectivity.
A range of cosmetic upgrades also feature in the Exclusive model, including tinted glass, 17-inch alloys, 'darkened' headlights, aluminium sports pedals and side skirts.
Prices have increased slightly trim-for-trim compared to the previous generation, but Alfa counters this by claiming that the kit levels have increased even more so; for example the Exclusive trim adds £2000 worth of kit for a hike of £920, compared to the Veloce model it supersedes.
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Good points - thank you.
Glad to hear the opposite view from Marc also. I have to buy a V60 or and XC60 for the missus at some point this year and I'd much rather get myself a MultiAir with TCT, I can tell you.
The clutch rest issue is
So nearly but no cigar ? The
Andrew 61 wrote:So nearly but
I wouldn't get too hung up on interior quality, I have one, my wife now has a new Golf and I came to the Alfa from a Volvo V60 and I don't feel I'm stepping down when getting into the Alfa, of those three it's the Alfa I'd rather be in every time. The V60 didn't have a foot rest in the foot well either and the rear accomodation is on par with the V60 too. It's also probably has the best riding/handling combination of any hatchback I've driven for some time and that includes having a Focus Zetec before the Volvo.
And then you need to experience the 1.4 multiair engine, near diesel economy and enough performance to keep pace with any hot hatch out there.
There's not alot wrong with the Giulietta other than ignorance/prejudice from car buyers who simply head to the default marques without sampling what's actually out there first. Along with alot of the motoring press who can't get there heads out of Fords/BMW's backsides and make their decisions based on nothing more than a couple of hours twatting around some back roads.