Alfa Romeo Giulietta - Thoughts?

Motorcheck

Took some video at the fleet launch of the Giulietta yesterday afternoon. It will be replacing the 147 in Alfa's C segment.

Would you buy one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flYgHUhFqmg

Matt Simis

It looks good, but the name will hurt them more than they may ever know in English speaking countries IMO.

Eric Cartman

Looks alright for a hatchback....

the name in my mind has instantaneously thrown it into the shirt lifter / female appeal catagory

resale value will be horrible considering alfas reputation.

i wish alfa the best with it but i dont see this as the goldmine they had hoped, the only real thing i can see is because the bog spec is in band A lots of the general irish sheep (whod rather vote garry glitter and a catholic priest into minister for children than pay over 150 euro in road tax) will buy it for being 'cheap to tax'

robtri

persoanlly i love alfa's think most of them are glorious looking machines....

but this is a bit of a pig really for me... if i was buying a C class segment car... would look elsewhere...

and the name is a bit ghay alright.... so no thanks alfa

Chriscl1

Cyril sounds like he doesnt know what he is on about:D

pburns

I'm unsure about the front, would need to see it in reality but otherwise what's not to like? Great interior, handles well by all accounts (great reviews in the press even allowing for rose-tinted affection for Alfa) and some fabulous engines (170bhp 1.4 petrol in VRT band B!)

If it was a VAG marque the Boards populace would be wiping sticky gooey stuff off the keyboard...

And Giulietta is a traditional Alfa name. No gayer than an A3 and a fair bit less camp than a MINI IMO...

And in response to the original question - hell, yeah I'd buy in a flash compared to anything else in this class...

Anan1

Eric Cartman wrote: »

the name in my mind has instantaneously thrown it into the shirt lifter / female appeal catagory

robtri wrote: »

and the name is a bit ghay alright.... so no thanks alfa

And you two call yourselves car enthusiasts? The name Giulietta means something to anyone with more than a passing interest in cars - that's like not knowing what a Capri is!

CarMuppet

This is my wifes next car, and I will have no problem driving this car.
It always has been a great name. Personally sends shivers down my spine. But that's just me. Always been a sucker for Italian cars.

Joe 90

Giulietta is a traditional Alfa name but traditional Giuliettas were RWD.

Mr.David

I love it, saw one in white in the flesh and it looks very good especially the rear end.

Great range of engines too.

Hope they've upped the interior quality over previous models.

The biggest issue is the savage depreciation :mad:

Eric Cartman

Anan1 wrote: »

And you two call yourselves car enthusiasts? The name Giulietta means something to anyone with more than a passing interest in cars - that's like not knowing what a Capri is!

theres a big difference between this and the old model, the old model first off was rear wheel drive, the marketing slogan was never 'its 104 euro road tax' and considering alfa are marketing it based on cheap road tax that also means not a single one of them will be bought in the higher version, only poverty spec, so in summary its another tiny engined fwd hatchback with cloth seats and massive depreciation

just like films, the remake is never half as good as the original

CarMuppet

Eric Cartman wrote: »

theres a big difference between this and the old model, the old model first off was rear wheel drive, the marketing slogan was never 'its 104 euro road tax' and considering alfa are marketing it based on cheap road tax that also means not a single one of them will be bought in the higher version, only poverty spec, so in summary its another tiny engined fwd hatchback with cloth seats and massive depreciation

just like films, the remake is never half as good as the original

This is all true. But you can't blame Alfa for resurrecting such a brilliant name and trying to make a few quid to survive at the same time. But let be just say my wife will be getting a petrol one NOT an oil burner. The only oil that should be burnt in an Alfa is the 10W30 variety..


.....,. waits for abuse.

Eric Cartman

CarMuppet wrote: »

This is all true. But you can't blame Alfa for resurrecting such a brilliant name and trying to make a few quid to survive at the same time. But let be just say my wife will be getting a petrol one NOT an oil burner. The only oil that should be burnt in an Alfa is the 10W30 variety..


.....,. waits for abuse.

im sure it will do plenty of that

Tae laidir

It was originally to be called 'Milano', but Fiat closed the Alfa Romeo factory there, build it their factory in Turin, and decided to resurrect the much loved (in Italy) Giullietta.

As for the puny engines, a 140bhp 2.0 Litre diesel with 119g/100km will be available shortly. Band A motoring will never be as good.

Unfortunately, in Ireland, too many got seduced and burned by the 156 experience, and I fear it will remain a car for the few.
Then again, I thought that about the Renault Megane!!

johnos1984

I passed a white one on the M7 today outside Kildare.

I was VERY impressed with the looks.

So much to I kept stairing as I passed it and in the rear view mirror. The driver realising this flashed the lights

Very nice looking on the road however I feel as others have pointed out it will only be a niche vehicle at best

Mr.David

Eric Cartman wrote: »

im sure it will do plenty of that

Considering FIAT (i.e. Alfa) have pioneered probably the most significant advances in the internal combustion engine over the last 20 years I hope that's a tongue in cheek comment!

CR diesels, the multiair etc.

Tea 1000

Best looking sub-30k car by far, possibly best looking hatch ever? One of them anyway!

RobertM

The new platform it's based on is brilliant as well. Top marks in the Euro Ncap, excellent choice of engines and above all, it's an Alfa, what more do you want ?

peasant

Eric Cartman wrote: »

the name in my mind has instantaneously thrown it into the shirt lifter / female appeal catagory

Giulia = Julia
Giulietta = Juliet

So the car has a female name and you won't drive it because of it? Yet all 'proper men' call their car "she" and "her".

I'll never understand either

Eoin

Eric Cartman wrote: »

im sure it will do plenty of that

It is, by all accounts, an excellent engine (award winning too I think).

Eric Cartman wrote:

so in summary its another tiny engined fwd hatchback with cloth seats and massive depreciation

This is what it looks like with the leather interior. Not too shabby.

colm_mcm

samsemtex

People who buy a Golf/Focus/Auris over this really are what makes the world a boring place at times. There is not another car in this sector i would take over it.

1750 tbi please.

Bodhan

I'll have the petrol one for test in December, I can't wait to have a go in it. Looks nice but it's a bit like the Mito around the front.

johnos1984

Bodhan wrote: »

I'll have the petrol one for test in December, I can't wait to have a go in it. Looks nice but it's a bit like the Mito around the front.

Its far nicer than a MiTo round the front in real life

Nonoperational

Saw a white one in the flesh - looked amazing. I'd be very interested in 2/3 years when I am changing again.

TCP/IP

I test drove one this week lovely car. Looking for one for the wife. The rear of the car looked super. And the cloverleaf spec is great.

SomeDude

johnos1984 wrote: »

Very nice looking on the road however I feel as others have pointed out it will only be a niche vehicle at best

I think part of the reason this car won't be a big success in Ireland is the Alfa dealer network. They only have 6 sales dealers in the country. 4 in Dublin, 1 in Waterford and 1 in Cork. That's not a lot of troops on the ground when your up against the likes of VW and Ford!

MetzgerMeister

I think it looks absolutely deadly!!! If I was in the market for a new car in this segment, I'd definitely buy one no matter what people said about it!!

Well done Alfa, you've just built an affordable, smaller 8C

-Chris-

Lovely looking car and pretty cool video too - fair play Motorcheck!

I'm not sure about the fleet angle though, I doubt any of the fleet companies are going to sell this car in any meaningful numbers. I think they'd be better off working really hard at the retail end of things.

Idleater

As a MiTo owner I have to confess my like for the new Alfa look. Saw the Guilettas again today and I really like them.
The multiair turbo is really great to drive too.

murphyebass

Alfa you've done it yet again. Fantastic stuff.

Interior (This) is by far and away at the top of that segment and the exterior is just jaw dropping.

How on earth anyone could buy a ****in boring Golf or Auris over one of these stunning cars I just don't know.

-Chris-

Do the sums and you may be paying an extra couple of grand for that sexy interior.

alpina

For those still in the dark with the name, the reasoning, the centenary, the models etc. have a browse...

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z17770/Alfa-Romeo-Giulietta.aspx

mickdw

murphyebass wrote: »

Alfa you've done it yet again. Fantastic stuff.

Interior (This) is by far and away at the top of that segment and the exterior is just jaw dropping.

How on earth anyone could buy a ****in boring Golf or Auris over one of these stunning cars I just don't know.

Looks stunning there for sure however I feel if you sat in it, there would be one too many hard plastics around the cabin if previous alfas are anything to go by. I owned a 166 and to be fair, the materials were good but then sitting in a 156, it was terrible by comparison as was 147.

Leonard Hofstadter

Looks class, like all Alfas do, according to the press it's up at the top of the class so it will be the first decent Alfa in years.

I really like the idea of a 170 bhp petrol that only costs €156 to tax, roll on a few years when it can be bought second hand for half nothing:D!

R.O.R

One of these came up (quickly) behind me on the M50 yesterday afternoon, on the way back from Portlaoise.

From the pictures I thought it looked OK, but in the rear view mirror, there is something wrong with the nose of the car - bit pointy I think.

Got out of it's way and pulled in behind it again, and it's a better view from the back.

If the handling of the last Bravo is anything to go by, I'm expecting big things from this.

adamshred

Fantastic looking car.

I'm unsure as to who exactly the target market is . . ? Anyone shed some light on this?

Would it be the Mini Cooper - Fiat 500 types?

Seems like they'd have trouble doing Volkswagen and Toyota out of any business with the Golf and Auris end of things, given the price, which leads me to my initial question.

Eric Cartman

peasant wrote: »

Giulia = Julia
Giulietta = Juliet

So the car has a female name and you won't drive it because of it? Yet all 'proper men' call their car "she" and "her".

I'll never understand either

yes but pre naming the car for you takes away the manliness

eoin wrote: »

It is, by all accounts, an excellent engine (award winning too I think).



This is what it looks like with the leather interior. Not too shabby.

i agree the leather looks great, and if we were in the UK id have a different tune but in reality how many people in this country will buy this car and order the leather / climate / all the other bits - none, because Irish people hate optional extras and it would be the same price as a 3 series beamer at that rate and most people would go for the rwd powerhouse instead

pburns

Eric Cartman wrote: »

...in reality how many people in this country will buy this car and order the leather / climate / all the other bits - none, because Irish people hate optional extras and it would be the same price as a 3 series beamer at that rate and most people would go for the rwd powerhouse instead

RWD powerhouse? More like a boggo 318d on steel wheels for most badge-conscious Paddies...

Infairness tho, I think buyers (younger in particular) are more conscious about the spec these days. Even German cars come with decent equipment these days (leather standard in 5-series for example)...

Eoin

Eric Cartman wrote: »

i agree the leather looks great, and if we were in the UK id have a different tune but in reality how many people in this country will buy this car and order the leather / climate / all the other bits - none, because Irish people hate optional extras and it would be the same price as a 3 series beamer at that rate and most people would go for the rwd powerhouse instead

I agree that it might not sell so well, but you were saying that the name was girlie, that the interior was crap and implying that the engine was weak. All three points have been cleared up for you

I do agree with the depreciation - which is another bonus for most people who know not to buy brand new.

so in summary its another tiny engined fwd hatchback with cloth seats and massive depreciation

Eric Cartman

eoin wrote: »

I agree that it might not sell so well, but you were saying that the name was girlie, that the interior was crap and implying that the engine was weak. All three points have been cleared up for you

I do agree with the depreciation - which is another bonus for most people who know not to buy brand new.

sorry i should have worded it better, its not the name that makes it seem girly, i think its the overall car just gives off girly vibes to me. but the name doesnt help .

i was implying the engine was small, didnt say weak, said small, fair dues to them on the power output , but it still wont have the wonderful roar only a 3+ litre block can give.

ill have to conceed my views on the interior , it looks well and the build/materials quality is high, i just hope some people will actually consider the leather / full spec option.

i suppose its just down to personal taste, I just really dont like small hatchbacks , as unreliable as they are i dont have anything against alfas (the 157 is a lovely beast) but I always think cars of this size (while necessary) are a letdown to a brand (merc A/B class, BMW 1 series, Audi A1/A3) and shouldnt be applauded as anything different to just this particular brands take on small starter motoring to get somebody into a brand in the hopes theyll buy the bigger model

Idleater

adamshred wrote: »

I'm unsure as to who exactly the target market is . . ? Anyone shed some light on this?

Would it be the Mini Cooper - Fiat 500 types?

That'd be the MiTo you are thinking of. It's based on the smaller punto platform than the Giuletta which is bravo based.

L1011

Eric Cartman wrote: »

i agree the leather looks great, and if we were in the UK id have a different tune but in reality how many people in this country will buy this car and order the leather / climate / all the other bits - none, because Irish people hate optional extras and it would be the same price as a 3 series beamer at that rate and most people would go for the rwd powerhouse instead

Two things here:

1: Fiat Auto Ireland have a far higher minimum spec in Ireland for interior trim than the UK. Feck knows why, always have though. I can't find the specs on the Irish website (which has it as yet to arrive despite Tractamotors having TWO in their showroom as of tonight) but cloth may not be an option. Basic/manual aircon (aircon with no temperature input) is likely a given, climate maybe not.

2: Having looked at a lot of second hand Alfa's for my sister during the past year, a huge number of them in Ireland have leather. Alfa buyers aren't BMW Paddy-spec buyers, it seems.

edit: I found the spec, aircon is standard; even on the version with cloth seats and steelies.

-Chris-

Posts about 159 pricing have been moved to this thread:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056045777

Leonard Hofstadter

MYOB wrote: »

Having looked at a lot of second hand Alfa's for my sister during the past year, a huge number of them in Ireland have leather. Alfa buyers aren't BMW Paddy-spec buyers, it seems.

That's a bit harsh. The 5 series has leather as standard these days:)!

(but the 1 series still hasn't a/c as standard and also has steel wheels, so they haven't lost it just yet)

RobAMerc

I saw quite a few testing in Italy and am a big fan, the only thing I didn't like is the huge cloverleaf badge on the upper front wing( of the cloverleaf ) - ferrariesq perhaps but a bit lairey for my liking, otherwise they are stunning compared to the competition, although a recent comparison to the Golf gti didn't fair too well !

Lastly - anyone who didn't know what a Giulietta was should not be allowed post on any car related forum ffs - my 2 yo could point one out - same people probably advise everyone to buy a Toyota - a real enthusiast :rolleyes:

edit : I;ve just watched the video - that red one is the Cloverleaf I saw with the badge on the wings - i'm not in the video though ;-(

Hotwheels

Saw a black one, they look fab in and out, If they are fitted with the 2.0 16V 170BHP JTDm then you'd have a nice machine

CompleteCarGuy

Just finished a week in the Giulietta - just writing up the review here as I speak. Paddy Comyn

rocky

^ needs more sharpening

CompleteCarGuy

The car does or the picture?
P

Hotwheels

CompleteCar.ie wrote: »

The car does or the picture?
P

Picture I'd say, A Polarizer filter would help reduce the glare on the car...good background, but very busy