The Alfa Romeo Giulietta doesn't go on sale in the UK until June, but prospective buyers can now spec up their car on a new online configurator.
The configurator allows potential buyers to spec the inetrior and exterior of the a variety of models, including the range-topping Cloverleaf version of the car.
See the Alfa Romeo Giulietta configurator
The Giulietta will be made as a five-door only. It features a Golf-sized rear compartment but a coupe-like roofline and disguised rear door handles (as used on the 147) to enhance its sporting credentials. The shape draws obvious influence from both the outgoing 147 and the new Mito supermini, but it looks more modern than either.
It has the most striking three-dimensional version of Alfa’s shield grille yet, supported by two prominent lower lateral air intakes. The muscular sculpting of the body sides leads to prominent rear haunches, with twin exhausts and a diffuser beneath a rear panel whose LED tail-lights echo shapes pioneered in the 156.
Suspension is MacPherson struts at the front and a new multi-link design at the rear.Inside, the Giulietta echoes the twin-binnacle, driver-oriented fascia design that Alfas have traditionally used, but with the familiar centre stack replaced with a simplified, lateral panel. The interior uses novel trim textures and body-coloured metal to signify a change from Alfa traditions.
At 4.35m in length, the car is 130mm longer than the Golf or the 147. The 2.63m wheelbase is about 50mm longer than the Golf’s or 147’s, and although its extra length makes it look low, it is 50mm higher than the car it replaces.
Alfa engineers say rear seat space and boot capacity are “the same or bigger” than a Golf’s and that the overall weight is “a little bit heavier” than a comparable 147’s, even though the body-in-white is lighter.
Buyers will be offered three different designs of 16in, 17in and 18in wheel - a thick-spoke design, a multi-spoke and Alfa’s familiar ‘telephone dial’ design.
A range of the Fiat Group’s transversely mounted four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, all turbocharged, will drive the front wheels, ranging from a 120bhp 1.4-litre petrol to a 170bhp 2.0-litre diesel. Later next year there will be a 230bhp Cloverleaf model.
All Giuliettas will eventually be available with Fiat’s Multiair electro-hydraulic valve actuation. And all get automatic stop-start as standard.
The line-up will feature five and six-speed manual gearboxes, but Fiat is working on a semi-auto twin-clutch alternative. The cars will get Alfa’s DNA suspension and engine settings system.
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Re: Spec your Alfa Giulietta
Apologies for being slow but when it says that all Giulietta's will eventually be available with MultiAir does that mean all engines will eventually be MultiAir or that the MultiAir option engines will come on stream later?
Re: Spec your Alfa Giulietta
If it lives up to expectations, Giulietta will be trading on its inherent strengths. I for one won't be comparing Giulietta with common, anonymous stuff like Golf and Focus. If Giulietta is good enough in its own right, then that is what I will want. If it isn't good enough, then I'll just buy whatever car offers me adequate transport and I won't really care what the badge is. Who cares whether it's a few mm smaller here or a couple of hundred pounds more expensive there? Those timid, boring, oh-so-sensible people for whom such minor practicalities are important really should stick to Golf and Focus (and BMW and Audi) because they obviously need the uniform to hide behind. Choosing Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be an expression of self confidence and independence, by no means attributes which all possess!
Re: Spec your Alfa Giulietta