Giulietta has fire and soul

The 173kW/340Nm lurking under its sleek bonnet is powerful enough to fire it from zero to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 242km/h.

However, if this sounds a bit like a soppy love song dedicated to this fiery Italian brand by a slobbering Alfa anorak, let me assure you it's not. I have always enjoyed driving Alfas but I have never owned one, probably because I grew up in an era where many petrol-heads believed that Alfas were like babies and small children; nice to have around for a while but then you give them back to their parents.

For, although Alfas were good for the soul, they were not always good for pocket and patience. Finicky, and like spoilt children, they demanded constant attention. But that was long ago and even though some sceptics remain sceptic, for the past number of years Alfas turned out to be solid and reliable.

And great fun, which is precisely where the new Giulietta models press many right buttons. Because typically Alfa they not only handle well but are sexy to look at and brim with fancy kit and good safety features. The new models certainly have fire and soul.

A name with magic, and memories

Let's also not forget the magic of the Giulietta name which at one stage, many years ago, made it so popular in this country that South Africa became the second biggest market in the world for the brand. A regular on local and international race circuits it became the dream car of many a budding Fangio or James Dean.

For the past number of years Alfas turned out to be solid, reliable - and great fun!

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The latest Giulietta comes to South Africa in three model choices: two 1.4-litre turbo-charged versions and a halo model, the1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde, guaranteed to make even a non-Alfa fan's heart beat a little faster.

At the Media launch of the Giulietta I drove the stepped version of the two 1.4-litre models, the 123kW Distinctive as well as the 1750 over a rather spectacular route. It kicked at the elegant La Motte Wine Estate at Franschhoek and took us via the old Du Toitskloof Pass to Worcester, Villiersdorp past Theewaterskloof, down to Kleinmond all the way back to Sir Lowry's Pass and via the Franschhoek Pass back where we started - a distance of about 340km.

I loved the looks, performance and handling of the 1750 but it was actually the baby 1.4-litre that really blew my socks off.

This is an absolute little sizzler that seemed to thrive under punishment... the harder I pushed it, the better it performed.

It likes to talk the torque

It's quite rev-hungry, but feed it copious quantities of high octane and it squirts along with a smile, keen to play and to show off. Perhaps not quite as refined as its main opponents the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and BMW 116, but delightfully Italian and different, in true Alfa tradition.

As befitting its Don status, the flagship 1750 lifts the bar by quite a few notches with the sort of performance showmanship that will bring tears to the eyes of the Alfisti.

The gauges, dials and knobs lay-out is simple and you-a can-a find-a them nice-a and easily. Comprendere?

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Although not scorchingly fast the 173kW/340Nm lurking under its sleek bonnet is powerful enough to fire it from zero to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 242km/h.

However, it's not so much about top end gallop but the way this stylish car with its coupé-like stance behaves when you whip it through the twisties. It handles beautifully and provides a confident, exciting ride without compromising comfort or performance.

All the engines are linked to a slick, short-shift manual 6-speed gearbox but expect a dual-clutch automatic transmission (TCT) model to reach local shores later this year.

The latest five-door Giulietta hatchback is based on an entirely new platform, called Compact, to create optimum space, comfort, safety, practicality, handling and performance and after spending a few hours at the wheel of two models our group of motoring journalists generally agreed that the latest version ticks all the right boxes.

It's all in the DNA

The cabin is spacious enough for four and even five at a squeeze, the seats are on the small side but comfortable and nice looking.

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Probably one of the most impressive components of the model range is called the Alfa DNA Selector which, in short, allows the driver to select the ride set-up of the vehicle at the flick of a button, even at speeds of up to 100km/h with choices between Dynamic, Normal and All Weather.

Designed to adjust the operating parameters of the engine, gearbox, steering system, Q2 electronic differential and even the Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC), it makes an instantly noticeable difference to performance, cling and handling.

Needless to say we spent most of the time in Dynamic mode which I suspect is what most Alfa enthusiasts will also do.

The cabin is spacious enough for four and even five at a squeeze, the seats are on the small side but comfortable and nice looking, the gauges, dials and knobs lay-out is simple and, (almost un-Italian) logical and easy to locate. Finding a comfortable driving position is easy, thanks to fully adjustable seats and steering column (the seats on the 1750 are electronic).

Lots of mousey-holes for in-cabin storage, adequate boot space and fold-down rear seats make the Giulietta nice and user-friendly. You will find all the usual kit such as aircon, audio, electrical windows, doors, mirrors etc, a lot of it standard across the range, but naturally things become fancier as you move up in the range and price.

Stylish - and she handles beautifully.

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The suits and titles at Alfa Romeo SA say the new Giulietta is expected to appeal to the 30 to 49 year market, with the younger end probably going for the sexy flagship.

Safe, my mate

The family market will be attracted by the fact that The 5-star Euro NCAP rated Alfa Romeo Giulietta achieved the highest safety score (87/100) ever by a compact car and that it is equipped with a wide range of safety features. These include 6 airbags (standard across the range); three-point seatbelts with double pre-tensioners and load limiters; a collapsible pedal unit and steering column; the second-generation anti-whiplash system, Isofix child safety seat attachments and a day light system which automatically turns on the front and back lights when the engine is started.

She's got the right DNA - in both senses.

All models also come standard with ABS anti-lock braking, EDB (Electronic Brake force Distribution), VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which is Alfa's version of ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), DST (Dynamic Steering Torque), HBA system, the hydraulic brake assistance device that automatically increases brake circuit pressure under emergency braking situations. In addition, you have the Hill-holder system, which prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards at start-off on a hill.

These may sound much too high-tech for most of us but they are all vital components in keeping you and other occupants of the vehicle as safe as possible before and during emergencies.

But besides good looks, exciting handling, fancy goodies and numerous safety features the new Giulietta models come with appealing bonuses. These include a five-year 150 000km warranty (the first on a premium brand) plus a six-year/90 000km service plan for the 1.4-litre models (with service intervals of 30 000km) and a six-year/105 000km service plan for the flagship 1750 TBi (with 35 000km service intervals) -a benchmark in the highly-contested C-segment.

The models and prices (inclusive of VAT and emissions tax) are:
1.4 TB Progression - R243 000
1.4 Multiair 1.4 TB Distinctive - R279 900
1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde - R330 275
See full specification and optional extras list below.

Specifications

Standard & Options List with prices.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta review by autocar.co.uk

Fifth Gear Web TV - Alfa Romeo Giulietta Road Test

Alfa Giulietta 1750 tbi Cloverleaf in Car at Ballocco, Italy, Alex Fiorio