- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.8T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
177kW, 340Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, 150000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2011)
Alfa Romeo Giulia first drive review
Alfa Romeo built its foundations on a series of affordable, iconic sporting sedans.
But it's fair to say, like Roman ruins, any strength it had in the compact luxury segment has been eroded over the last few decades.
It hasn't had a four-door sedan to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 since the 159 ceased production three years ago. And even when that model was first introduced, back in 2004, it was hardly a serious challenger to the German triumvirate.
So, there's a fair weight of expectation bearing down of the all-new Giulia range, a car the brand has promised will be good enough to take on the best in the business as the cornerstone of a $5billion investment to restore faith, popularity and profitability to the famed Italian brand.
With luxury car sales on the rise, particularly in Australia, the Giulia arrives at a prime time to achieve Alfa's aspirations. But it cannot trade on its heritage alone and the Giulia has to prove it is not just a worthy alternative but a trusted, reliable one that banishes Alfa's reputation for poor quality.
It is a car that not only has to be good, it has to be better than good, and one that offers a clear point of difference - with some Italian charm thrown in - for customers to walk away from the blue chip brands. No pressure then...
The Giulia will arrive in Australian showrooms early in 2017 in four distinct trim levels. While Alfa Romeo Australia has yet to lock in final prices and exact details on specifications, it has promised the range will be priced competitively against its German rivals with a likely starting price around $60,000 for the entry-level Giulia which will be powered exclusively by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder that drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The engine is a brand new motor developed specifically for the Giulia and features lightweight aluminium construction with a Multi Air cylinder head, twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection to produce a maximum 147kW at 5000rpm while torque peaks at 330Nm across a band of revs from as low as 1750rpm. Fuel consumption is a claimed average of 5.9L/100km.
In Australia, the car is expected to feature a relatively high level of standard gear including leather trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and an 8.8-inch colour multi media display with sat nav, Bluetooth connectivity and the likelihood of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. It will also feature a comprehensive suite of safety systems, including a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, six airbags, forward collision warning and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
The same engine will feature in the mid-spec Giulia Super, which gains added equipment such as unique design 18-inch alloys, higher quality leather, optional dual-colour interior combinations and extra safety features.
The Super will also be the only model available with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel four cylinder that generates 132kW at 3750rpm and 450Nm from 1750rpm and has a combined fuel economy of 4.2L/100km.
While yet to be officially confirmed, it is expected the Giulia will also launch in Australia with a sportier mainstream model, dubbed Veloce, that sits under the high-performance Quadrifoglio with an uprated version of the 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder that pumps out 205kW and 400Nm.
After a brief drive of the petrol-powered Giulia Super at the car's international launch in Milan this week, which included a stint on the Autostrada before heading into the base of the Italian Alps on some winding and pockmarked roads, our first impression of the car is fairly positive.
Firstly, it's a stylish machine in the metal with a distinctive appearance, great proportions and a purposeful stance on the road. It's certainly a world apart from the Teutonic competitors and unmistakably an Alfa Romeo.
But its packaging isn't compromised by its style with a cabin that offers good space for front seat passengers and plenty of rear leg room for adults to travel without restrictions. The sloping rear roofline does restrict rear headroom for those over six feet tall (even more so when fitted with the optional dual sunroof), but there's thoughtful convenience with rear air vents and USB power outlets in the back as well as decent-sized doorbins big enough to fit a water bottle.
The boot isn't the most capacious in the class, but it is deep and easy to access and certainly big enough for regular family duties.
The overall ambience of the cabin is one that mixes style with simplicity. The organic dash design flows nicely from the twin cowls over the clear instrument panel and across the colour display in the centre to provide passengers with an uninterrupted view through the windscreen. The controls are easily laid in the centre console with three rotary dials for the dual-zone ventilation system in the middle of the dash and another three in the centre console, one for the DNA drive mode controller, another for audio volume and a large iDrive-style controller for the multi media screen.
Small item storage is taken care of by two cupholders in a covered binnacle at the front of the dash and a square flip-top console with a leather armrest between the seats and USB, 12V and AUX inputs. It doesn't set the benchmark for convenience or quality, as there were some panels in our test car that didn't quite align properly and the materials didn't look as classy as the best in the class, but it's not that far off to be a deal breaker either.
The driving position is great with plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel, the instruments are clear to read and there's good vision thanks in part to raked A-pillars that provide minimal obstruction.
The Giulia also impresses in how it drives. With the range designed from the top down, ensuring the high-performance QV sets the pace in its class, Alfa claims the basic structure offers the greatest rigidity and best noise suppression among its rivals. The double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear are also designed to give it a genuine sporting character, even at the base level.
The end result is a car that rides a fine balance between comfort and handling with great body control, sharp steering and playful dynamics with a level of compliance in how it soaks up bumps that should make it handle Australia's rough roads without too much trouble.
The engine, however, doesn't have the same degree of fizz. It's nice and linear in how it delivers its power with minimal turbo lag and a strong mid range, ensuring it is effortless to drive at everyday speeds and its performance is accessible for quick overtakes on the freeway. While it feels modern and refined enough to match the base-level Germans, it doesn't have the punch or passion to separate it from them or provide the Giulia with a clear point of difference.
It works well with the eight-speed automatic, which has a broad range of ratios to help it feel spritely away from the lights and efficient out on the highway, where the car is also remarkably quiet.
In the end, the Giulia is a strong foundation for Alfa Romeo's restoration. It doesn't re-set the benchmarks in the class, and there are some areas where it could use a bit more polish, but it has the substance to stand the test of time and cement itself as a genuine rival.
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super pricing and specifications
On-sale: February 2017
Price: $65,000 (estimated)
Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 147kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 330Nm at 1750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel Use: 5.9L/100km (estimated)
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