Lady driver

The 147 family hatchback was left to grow old and decidedly pungent before this replacement arrived. Launched in 2000 and named European Car of the Year in 2001, it was a good car that had been left behind by a rapidly developing market. That the Giulietta would be a substantial improvement on the 147 was a given long before the covers came off at the 2010 Geneva Motorshow. The tricky bit was making substantial improvements on the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, let alone out-classing the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. The family and premium hatchback markets are tough places to operate but if the Giulietta could rekindle some of the old Alfa magic, it would be in with a fighting chance.

The engine technology Alfa has come out with over recent years can stand comparison with the very best. The emphasis has been on small turbocharged engines of the petrol and diesel varieties and the Giulietta showcases the best of them. A 120bhp 1.4TB engine kicks things off and above that, is another 1.4 that’s also turbocharged but additionally has the sophisticated MultiAir valve-timing system helping it up to 170bhp. For the high performance range-topper, there’s an even cleverer petrol unit, the 1750 TBi. Through a whole series of high tech innovations, Alfa has managed to squeeze 235bhp from this 1.75-litre engine which is a remarkable feat.

The diesels will inevitably be popular and the Giulietta has a 105bhp 1.6-litre and a 170bhp 2.0-litre on offer. Both use the JTDm second-generation common-rail injection configuration and while they might not be as energetic as the petrols, neither efficiency nor muscle will be in short supply. All models get a six-speed manual gearbox and a dual clutch automatic is offered with the 170bhp units.

The DNA selector that debuted on Alfa’s MiTo supermini, winning praise for the way it adapted the car’s driving parameters and for how nice the metallic control switch looked, reappears on the Giulietta. Dynamic, Normal and All Weather (can you see what they’ve done there?) modes can be chosen. These then adjust the settings of the engine, gearbox, steering, Q2 electronic differential and VDC stability control system to optimise the car’s behaviour to the conditions of the driver’s preference.

Even when Alfa’s products have left something to be desired in the build or engineering departments, they’ve invariably looked great. The Giulietta certainly looks to have the stance, proportions and detailing to turn a head or two and its sporty elegance should be a big draw in a family hatch market that isn’t overly endowed with pretty cars.

The fact that this is a five-door hatch is neatly disguised by rear door handles hidden in the C-pillars. At the front, the famous triangular grille is given plenty of space to breathe with the air-intakes cut low and the headlamps, complete with daytime running lights, pushed out to the corners. It’s the look we first saw on the 8C Competizione supercar. The best view may well be from the rear where the lines rise up to the narrow screen and the huge red lights that spread out across the tailgate.

At 4350mm long and 1800mm wide, the Giulietta is one of the larger models in the family hatch class. That’s given Alfa’s designers a little more room to execute those sleek lines without impinging on practicality inside. The 350-litre boot is competitive and Alfa has built a range of storage options into the cabin. The controls are arranged in tiers on the sweeping dash and there’s a suitably racy-looking set of cowled instruments. On plusher models, the navigation screen pops up from the top of the dash, putting key information in the driver’s eye line.

With a single five-door bodystyle and three trim levels named Progression, Distinctive and Cloverleaf, the Giulietta range looks a simple one but there are Sport and Premium packs offered to add a little complexity. Alfa has given the car a generous specification as standard, presumably to give it an edge over premium-badged hatchbacks like the BMW 1 Series and Audi A1. Slightly less prestigious models like the Volvo C30 and Volkswagen Golf will also be in its sights.

At the ‘basic’ Progression level, customers get the DNA system with the Q2 electronic differential, VDC stability control with a hill holder function, six airbags, climate control, 16" alloy wheels and a trip computer. The famous Cloverleaf badge is revived for the range-topping Giulietta and that model includes various sports styling enhancements plus 17" alloy wheels.

The comparatively small engine capacities in the Giulietta petrol range promise strong economy and low emissions. Sure enough, the 170bhp 1.4 MultiAir produces just 134g/km of CO2 and returns over 50mpg on the combined cycle. Better still is the diesel contingent. The 1.6 JTDm engine gets around 60mpg while the 2.0-litre 170bhp units chips in with over 50mpg and 124g/km emissions. All of these figures are assisted by Fiat’s Stop&Start technology which turns the engine off when the car is stationary to save fuel.

There’s a proud history at Alfa Romeo and the Giulietta name is bundled up in that. Now it’s part of what the brand hopes is a proud present as well. The signs are encouraging for the Giulietta family hatchback. The all-turbocharged engine range, generous equipment levels and strong safety credentials will keep buyers interested. The big draw, however, will still be the way the car looks and that evocative badge on its nose. With Alfa Romeos, it has ever been thus.