The 80th Geneva Motor Show this week has seen the world debut of the longest-awaited new model from Alfa Romeo in recent year, the Giulietta. Set to be one of the biggest stars of the Swiss show over the next week-and-a-half, the 5-door hatchback slots into the vital C-segment to replace the Alfa 147 after this popular model has enjoyed almost a decade in production.

The Giulietta will arrive in the showrooms during May in key European markets. Alfa Romeo has been exuding much confidence in recent months about the prospects for the Giulietta and annual sales targets of up to 100,000 units have been bandied around by upbeat senior management.

Every time a new Alfa Romeo model is launched it is said to be a "vital" model for the brand's existence, but with the brand's future having been recently questioned by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, who plans to kick into place a product freeze once the Giulietta is on sale, its importance cannot be underestimated. Marchionne has said that Alfa Romeo quite simply cannot carry on the way it is - reportedly losing around 200 million euros a year although this is speculation as Fiat Group Automobiles doesn't breakdown the performance of its individual brands - and he has offered two forward-looking scenarios, freezing it with just the MiTo and Giulietta as the long-term survivors in its portfolio, or rolling its future D- and E-segment models onto architecture shared with Chrysler Group.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

In the centenary year, the name is a tribute to an automobile myth and Alfa Romeo. Its name only in fact only came about after Alfa Romeo was forced into an embarrassing last minute switch when its workers in the city of Milan, the brand's birthplace a century ago, objected to the use of the then proposed name, Milano. However the replacement name has been very well received. In the Fifties, the Giulietta caught the imagination of car enthusiasts throughout the world, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo and enjoying the high level of comfort and technical excellence accessible for the first time; it was last used in the 1980s to denote a popular sedan. The Alfa Romeo Style Centre has thus produced a new Giulietta, a sports car capable of expressing both great agility on the most demanding routes and providing comfort on everyday roads.

A new architecture to enhance road holding and agility in total comfort and safety

The new compact Alfa Romeo has been designed to appeal to customers looking for a distinctive saloon providing excellent levels of comfort and the best possible dynamic performance. The Giulietta introduces an entirely new architecture - referred to as "compact" - designed to satisfy the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding, agility and safety. It ensures both exceptional dynamic performance and high comfort levels, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, a new-generation steering system, a light and rigid structure created from materials such as aluminium and high-strength steels and avant-garde manufacturing techniques. This new architecture will allow the Giulietta to accommodate the needs of all customers in this category, teaming on-board comfort with functional interiors and boot, with the typical dynamic qualities of every Alfa Romeo.

Driving satisfaction and comfort can be adapted to meet every customer's specific needs thanks to the Alfa DNA selector, a device that customises the vehicle's behaviour to suit different road conditions and driving styles. The new architecture of the Alfa Giulietta was in fact designed to integrate the vehicle's different systems and exploit them to the full, thus emphasising the three set-up functions (Dynamic, Normal and All Weather) available through the Alfa DNA selector. This device, fitted as standard on the entire range of the new model, is designed to modify the operating parameters of the engine, gearbox, steering system and Q2 electronic differential, in addition to the behaviour logic of the Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC).

Sporty and comfortable, Italian style

The perfect blend of sportiness and style, the Alfa Giulietta redefines the Brand's technological standards and emotional values. The front is a development of Alfa's trademark triangular grills, with a brand new interpretation of the classic shield, embedded in the front bumper and suspended between the air vents. This is the point of origin for the design of the entire car, which teams an energetic personality with marked stylish shapes. The front headlights have DRL with LED technology and a daytime function for maximum active safety. Even the profile of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is brimming with personality, making the model appear to be an agile and sturdy car. This is mostly due to the side windows which recall the appearance of a coupé, emphasising the dynamism and fluidity of the shapes, thanks also the concealed rear door handles. The ribs on the vehicle sides elongate the car while the clean lines which end at the rear accentuate the angular shape of the car body.

The rear, like the front and side, features marked styling which emphasises the feeling of a muscular car, decidedly gripped onto the road surface. In addition, like the headlights, the innovative rear lights also use LED technology which serves not only a stylish purpose but also preventive safety. Lastly, the measurements of the new car design a compact and dynamic shape, while at the same time guaranteeing excellent comfort and a spacious boot (350 litres): in fact, it is 4.35 metres long, 1.46 metres high and 1.80 metres wide, with a wheelbase of 2.63 metres.

Innovative features for maximum in-car wellbeing

Attention to detail and high quality materials used for the interiors are, today as yesterday, the most evolved expression of Italian style. More specifically, the dominant concept in the interiors of the new model is lightness. The lines are taut and the dashboard develops horizontally. The seats are wraparound and, at the same time, their shape was designed to ensure maximum comfort even during long journeys. Thanks to the enhanced ergonomics in the interior design, every command is ideally located: the main ones are grouped together at the centre of the dashboard and feature the same design as the commands on the 8C Competizione. In addition, the navigation system with pop-up display allows the driver to see maps or to display the mechanical operating parameters set on the Alfa DNA device without having to take the eyes off the road. There are practical open storage compartments situated in various parts of the passenger compartment: in front of the gear lever, on the centre console and on the door interior covers. There are closed storage compartments - depending on the chosen version - on the top of the dashboard, under the dashboard opposite the front passenger (cooled with dual zone climate control), in the front and rear armrests.

Innovative engines for a thrilling yet environmentally-friendly drive

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta guarantees the highest levels of performance and technology through a range of engines that are purely state of the art in terms of technology, performance levels and environmental-friendliness. At the time of its commercial launch, 4 Turbo engines will be available, all with Euro 5 type-approval and fitted with the “Start&Stop” system to reduce consumption levels and emissions fitted as standard: two petrol versions (120 HP 1.4TB and 170 HP 1.4TB MultiAir) and two diesels (105 HP 1.6 JTDM and 170 HP 2.0 JTDM, both second-generation MultiJet engines). Lastly, the range is completed by the astounding 235 HP 1750 TBi teamed with the exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde interiors.

More specifically, the new model equipped with the 235 HP 1750 TBi engine is a true representative of the way in which Alfa Romeo interprets the high end of this segment offer. Not just a means of transport, but a vehicle that can really connect with the customer. There is muscular acceleration thanks to plenty of torque even at low revs, a smooth response that minimises gearbox use thanks to the extension typical of modern petrol engines, and an engine noise that is engaging without ever becoming intrusive. In detail, the 1750 Turbo petrol engine boasts advanced technical solutions including direct fuel injection, two continuously variable valve timing units, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system that gets rid of any “turbolag”. The resulting performance is comparable to – or better than – that of many 3 litre engines while still delivering fuel consumption typical of a compact four cylinder unit. It should be noted that the specific power of 134 HP/litre is the highest in the world for a 4-cylinder unit fitted on this category of vehicles, as well as being the highest ever achieved by an Alfa Romeo engine. The specific torque too, totalling 194 Nm/litre, is the highest of all petrol engines in this category, while the maximum torque of 340 Nm, reached at 1,900 revs alone, is an absolute best.

The range of engines available can accommodate the needs of all customers. First of all the 120 HP 1.4TB is the ideal engine for those in search of a car that can handle city traffic effortlessly while keeping running costs to a minimum. The turbo engine guarantees prompt response even at low revs (the maximum torque is achieved at just 1,750 revs) while the Start&Stop, in the city, makes it possible to cut consumption and harmful emission levels drastically, without compromising comfort and on-board safety.

The 170 HP 1.4 TB MultiAir engine is an amalgam of technology, which blends high performance levels with the lowest emissions and fuel consumption levels in its class for petrol engines of this power rating. It is a powerful and flexible engine, with a maximum torque of a generous 250 Nm (when set to Dynamic), fitted with the Start&Stop system and with fuel consumption and emission levels resembling more a diesel engine than a petrol one of this power rating (4.6 l/100 km in the extra-urban cycle and 134 g/km of CO₂ emissions). The teaming of this engine with the new architecture ranks the Giulietta at the top of its class both for its dynamic qualities as well as comfort and practicality during everyday use.

The 105 HP 1.6 JTDM is a flexible and economical diesel engine that will surprise customers due to its prompt response (in Dynamic mode, the max. torque is a generous 320 Nm at just 1,750 revs) combined with extremely low fuel consumption (in the extra-urban cycle, it is just 3.7 l/100 km). This is possible thanks to the combination of second-generation MultiJet technology and Start&Stop system. Consequently, it is an engine dedicated to all those in search of a car with character and a distinctive style, affording the typical agility and handling of an Alpha Romeo yet able to combine them with limited running costs.1.6 JTD

For customers who use the car mostly on the motorway or who demand the maximum performance levels from a diesel engine, Alpha Romeo suggests the 170 HP 2.0 JTDM. Again, it is an amalgam of technology which combines second-generation MultiJet technology with the Start&Stop system. The result is a vehicle with best-in-class performance levels, extremely flexible driving (with the DNA selector set to Dynamic mode, the available torque at 1,750 revs is a generous 350 Nm), among the lowest fuel consumption and emission levels in its class for cars with this power rating (124 g/km of CO2 and 4.1 l/100 km in the extra-urban cycle). Thanks to the exceptional qualities of the new “compact” architecture, this version is able to blend fantastic dynamic and motoring performance levels with best-in-class comfort and practicality. All the engines are teamed with a state-of-the-art manual 6-speed gearbox from the three axle transmission family, which can withstand and transmit high maximum torque values. Subsequently, the MultiAir and 170 HP 2.0 JTDM engines will also be teamed with an innovative dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Segment-beating safety, comfort and dynamic control

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was designed to achieve the highest Euro NCAP rating to offer total protection for both driver and passengers. In addition, the new architecture was devised to guarantee the utmost interaction of the systems in charge of controlling the vehicle dynamics. All this is controlled by the real "brain" of the vehicle, namely the Alfa DNA device, in charge of all the sophisticated electronic devices for dynamic vehicle control: VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), Dual Pinion Active Steering, the Q2 electronic differential, the response and torque curve of the engine, the braking system with pre-fill function. All these systems guarantee genuine Alpha Romeo driving safety, vehicle traction and performance. The new “compact” architecture, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension and the materials used (high-strength steels, aluminium, magnesium, xenoy, etc.), can accommodate the needs of the most demanding customers in terms of on-board comfort and noiseless running, ranking the Giulietta at the top of its class even for the everyday practicality of the vehicle.

Extensive and diverse range

Intended for a dynamic customer who will not compromise on on-board comfort and safety, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is available in two versions (Progression and Distinctive), along with two custom packs (Sport Pack and Premium Pack). All the devices linked to active and passive safety are fitted as standard on the entire range. Indeed, the Progression version comes standard with the Alfa D.N.A. system (with Q2 electronic differential and DST), VDC (including ASR and hill holder), 6 airbags, front seat belts with dual pretensioners and front seats with anti-whiplash system. The standard equipment also includes manual climate control, 16’’ wheels, front electric windows and the trip computer. The latter version (Distinctive) offers the following in addition to the standard equipment of the former: dual zone automatic climate control, leather steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, radio with CD and MP3 player and dual tuner function, fog lights, reconfigurable instrument panel, seats upholstered in “Competizione” fabric and the stylish chromed insert (chrome line) framing the side windows. The dashboard on the Distinctive version also stands out for the stylish insert painted in magnesium grey or, alternatively, in Ghiaccio white, Alfa Red as well as in brushed burnished aluminium.

As on the MiTo, customers can further customise their Giulietta with two specific Packs (Sport and Premium). The first pack is designed to enhance the sporty soul of the vehicle with specific features which improve the already excellent handling of the car and includes 17’’or 18’’ alloy wheels, side skirts, sports pedals, wraparound seats with leather and microfibre fabric upholstery, brushed burnished aluminium dashboard insert and burnished headlight frames. For customers in search of even more technological and complete on-board equipment, the Premium Pack includes bi-xenon lights with AFS function, the Blue&Me system with bluetooth function, USB port and MP3 player, rear parking sensors, electrically folding door mirrors and electrochromic rear-view mirror.

To customise their Giulietta, customers can also choose from the list of optionals available, including the large panoramic sunroof, the navigation system with maps and pop-up display with European maps on SD card and TMC Pro (service available for Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain) and Bose Hi-Fi system. In addition, the Blue&Me^® MAP system is also available, which adds to the functions of the Blue&Me (hands-free function with Bluetooth® interface and advanced voice recognition, USB port, MP3 player and SMS interpreter) navigation functions thanks to the TomTom portable navigation system which is perfectly integrated with the vehicle's existing systems thanks to the Bluetooth® interface. Note that the portable navigation system is embedded into the dashboard thanks to a purpose-devised interface, designed to blend in seamlessly with the ergonomics of the passenger compartment and to guarantee maximum safety in the event of a crash.

Lastly, the range is completed by the 235 HP Giulietta 1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde (four-leafed clover), a legendary symbol which has competed on tracks all over the world. Equipped solely with the highest-performing engine in the range, this version stands out for its thoroughbred sports styling, teamed with 17’’ (18’’ as optional) wheels, guaranteeing best-in-class driving pleasure and surprisingly reduced fuel consumption for this power rating. The “Quadrifoglio Verde” is thus reinterpreted with a modern touch, combining the utmost driving pleasure with greater environmental awareness for a conscious and environmentally-friendly sportiness.