Alfa Giulia review

Leonard Hofstadter

At long long last, the Giulia is a reality and reviews of it are starting to appear.

I note that What Car? doesn't seem to be too impressed with the 2.2 diesel, they say it's not particularly well made inside and they found a few other flaws with it as well (although considering the hard-on they have for VAG products at the moment, I'm not so sure if it really is as far behind an A4 as they're making it out to be).

Autocar and Car both tested the Quadrifoglio (or Cloverleaf as it used to be known to English speaking markets) and they seem to be quite impressed, Car especially, they reckon it's fantastic to drive, although to me it seems a pity that this version will not be available with a manual gearbox in RHD markets. It's not so much the fact you can't have a manual that bothers me, it's more the fact that the auto is a traditional torque converter rather than a double clutch job. Car in particular thinks it's a return to form for Alfa.

Could it be the Alfa we've all been waiting for? It certainly has all the right ingredients, rear wheel drive, 50:50 weight distribution and so on. First Alfa with correct wheel drive in 20 odd years at this stage?

The looks are growing on me as well. Not sure how well it will do in Ireland, I suspect there will be little to no interest unfortunately despite the fact there will be a 99 g/km diesel on offer.

http://www.whatcar.com/news/2016-alfa-romeo-giulia-22-multijet-180-review/

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/alfa-romeo/giulia/first-drives/2016-alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio-first-drive

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/alfa-romeo/alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio-2016-review/

bear1

I dont see it selling here, Alfa still suffers that stupid stereotype which I think will be a factor.
Also a 2.2 diesel - which lets face it is the only chance that car has here - will probably put people off.
I think its looks the **** and if I had the cash would be going for the quadrifoglio
Heard the noise off of it on youtube and it's bloody addictive.

September1

It will be difficult, general population will have problem with brand and fact that there is now very limited amount of garages and Alfa fans might not like diesel engines and automatic gearboxes.

H3llR4iser

These reviews prove once and for all how the English speaking motoring press works. A lot of absolutely enthusiastic reviews, then "4 out of 5" verdicts. Not one negative mentioned in the review, yet they somehow dock a star. Put any BMW through their review, and although they mention things that aren't quite right, you'll be guaranteed a "5 out of 5" rating. Once upon a time, people said "it's because of RWD!". That excuse has gone now - as a poster on Alfaowner eloquently put, they gave "positive enough reviews without upsetting their German paymasters".

Funny how Autocar had to remark on the ZF 8HP being a bit "sluggish" - isn't it the same transmission everybody praised into heavens when mounted on German cars and Jags? Has it been infected by "Alfitis" and it's now sh1t?

The Whatcar review is pure rubbish. They might have summed it up: "Yeah great, it's not an Audi. We don't like that." and seem more interested in the "infotainment" system screen than anything else.

September1

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Lovely looking motor, look forward to buy a cheap one in a few years time.

If nobody purchase new ones that might not work.

Leonard Hofstadter

bear1 wrote: »

I dont see it selling here, Alfa still suffers that stupid stereotype which I think will be a factor.
Also a 2.2 diesel - which lets face it is the only chance that car has here - will probably put people off.
I think its looks the **** and if I had the cash would be going for the quadrifoglio
Heard the noise off of it on youtube and it's bloody addictive.

Yeah, I fear you're right. Hopefully with the upturn in the economy more people will be prepared to take a 'risk'? I don't see the engine size being that much of an issue - apart from the fact that it's not actually a 2.2 (it's a 2.1 litre engine despite the badging), there's a version that does 99 g/km, which is the same as the best of the German diesel saloons.

The V6 petrol sounds nice alright, not as good as the old Busso, but then again very few engines sound as good as that.

Leonard Hofstadter

H3llR4iser wrote: »

These reviews prove once and for all how the English speaking motoring press works. A lot of absolutely enthusiastic reviews, then "4 out of 5" verdicts. Not one negative mentioned in the review, yet they somehow dock a star. Put any BMW through their review, and although they mention things that aren't quite right, you'll be guaranteed a "5 out of 5" rating. Once upon a time, people said "it's because of RWD!". That excuse has gone now - as a poster on Alfaowner eloquently put, they gave "positive enough reviews without upsetting their German paymasters".

Funny how Autocar had to remark on the ZF 8HP being a bit "sluggish" - isn't it the same transmission everybody praised into heavens when mounted on German cars and Jags? Has it been infected by "Alfitis" and it's now sh1t?

The Whatcar review is pure rubbish. They might have summed it up: "Yeah great, it's not an Audi. We don't like that." and seem more interested in the "infotainment" system screen than anything else.

Oddly enough the road tester for the Autocar and What Car reviews was the same bloke (Matt Saunders). Just goes to show how much they can change things depending on the target audience.

But yeah, What Car? are totally biased towards cars that are boring and cheap to run. I suppose it is what most people want, but it's hardly the stuff that makes ones's heart beat a little quicker.

Car thinks it's fantastic.

bear1

captainspeed wrote: »

Yeah, I fear you're right. Hopefully with the upturn in the economy more people will be prepared to take a 'risk'? I don't see the engine size being that much of an issue - apart from the fact that it's not actually a 2.2 (it's a 2.1 litre engine despite the badging), there's a version that does 99 g/km, which is the same as the best of the German diesel saloons.

The V6 petrol sounds nice alright, not as good as the old Busso, but then again very few engines sound as good as that.

Twin turbo too.
I mean 506bhp is a **** load and will be a serious contender for higher powered cars but they have the clientele and the edge.
Alfa has too small a range and took too long to introduce a car.

Nonoperational

I'll own this car at some stage. Maybe not next because buying new would be a depreciation nightmare. But I will own it.

Leonard Hofstadter

bear1 wrote: »

Twin turbo too.
I mean 506bhp is a **** load and will be a serious contender for higher powered cars but they have the clientele and the edge.
Alfa has too small a range and took too long to introduce a car.

Yeah, it's a fairly stupendous amount, especially when it's only a 2.9 litre engine! I wish it was a V8 given all the power (V8s do sound so nice after all), although I don't think V8s are really an Alfa engine in a way a V6 is associated with the brand. It would be nice if they did a less powerful V6, very few people need 500 bhp after all. I long for the days when six cylinders started at just 170 bhp, like it did in the 156 V6.

166man

The fathers intrigued by this one when it hits our shores and tbh the diesel would suit him grand. I'd still love a 4C.

The chap above hit the nail on the head about the English motoring press. I can't stand to read their reviews of cars these days, every four banger German diesel is the best thing in the world and everything else falls "just short". Yawn.

The reason I see going for a V6 Captainspeed is that with a V8 it would be just to close to a Maserati/Ferrari.

I love the idea of a 2.9 V6 TT with 500bhp

bear1

captainspeed wrote: »

Yeah, it's a fairly stupendous amount, especially when it's only a 2.9 litre engine! I wish it was a V8 given all the power (V8s do sound so nice after all), although I don't think V8s are really an Alfa engine in a way a V6 is associated with the brand. It would be nice if they did a less powerful V6, very few people need 500 bhp after all. I long for the days when six cylinders started at just 170 bhp, like it did in the 156 V6.

The 156 V6 I believe was 190bhp and then the facelift was 192.
I think you mean the 155 v6?

ba_barabus

I very much look forward to seeing this in the dealers. I've yet too find anything I'd buy over another Alfa.

ba_barabus

I note on Alfa's site regarding the Guilia that Ireland is not in the dropdown menu of markets where you can keep up to date with the launch.

http://www.alfaromeo.com/keep-me-updated-Giulia

bear1

ba_barabus wrote: »

I note on Alfa's site regarding the Guilia that Ireland is not in the dropdown menu of markets where you can keep up to date with the launch.

http://www.alfaromeo.com/keep-me-updated-Giulia

I'd say Alfa have probably given up with this market.

ba_barabus

bear1 wrote: »

I'd say Alfa have probably given up with this market.

I have yet to see a 161 reg Alfa.

bear1

ba_barabus wrote: »

I have yet to see a 161 reg Alfa.

Or a 151/52.
They shot themselves tbh and a while ago I was saying they shouldn't sell to Audi at all.
Now I'm not so sure.
They need to bring back the fleet they had 20 years ago.
Hatchback, saloon, estate, suv and so on.
Back then you could have a 147 including a gta 147, 156 or sw format, exec saloon 166.
Now, a mito and a giulietta.

Leonard Hofstadter

ba_barabus wrote: »

I have yet to see a 161 reg Alfa.

Only 20 have been registered so far this year, 18 Giuliettas, the other two are MiTos.

H3llR4iser

bear1 wrote: »

I'd say Alfa have probably given up with this market.

And to be honest, I don't really see why they shouldn't do so. It's a market that at the moment only wants either super-cheap, super-economic diesel cars or base-of-the-line-windup-rear-windows premiums so that I can show "Paddy down the road" I got a 161 BMW while spending the bare minimum.

The Irish market, at large, can't really appreciate cars at the moment. It's changing again a bit as the economy turns back up - I'm starting to see some decently spec'd BMWs/Mercs/Jags, so there is hope.

Hopefully they'll bring the 2.0 petrol models here and not just push the diesels.

bear1 wrote: »

Or a 151/52.
They shot themselves tbh and a while ago I was saying they shouldn't sell to Audi at all.
Now I'm not so sure.
They need to bring back the fleet they had 20 years ago.
Hatchback, saloon, estate, suv and so on.
Back then you could have a 147 including a gta 147, 156 or sw format, exec saloon 166.
Now, a mito and a giulietta.

Man, it's actually the other way around. Up until a couple of years ago, I was of the idea that they should, afterall, sell Alfa to the VAG group. This sounds crazy coming from a long-time Alfista, but it made sense - they acquired other brands and brought them back into the fold, sometimes without significantly altering them (see Lamborghini), while the FIAT group clearly underestimated what they got - they seemed more intent in the frankly desperate idea of selling 500s in the USA or reviving Lancia.

Now, not so much - Marchionne has finally realized what the Alfa Romeo brands potential is. They do have a plan for a full lineup in the next few years (I believe a lot will depend on how well the Giulia sells) and are even considering the idea of re-entering it in motorsport, possibly even F1 - although I would say that Ferrari will get sideways and the most likely route will be Alfa's historical hunting grounds, Touring Car Championships.

Ah, they never had a SUV. I wish they never ever put out such a monstrosity of a car, but they will as the (crappy) market taste demand for one. That said, last month I was in Italy and saw a couple of FIAT Freemont going around...it doesn't look too bad, actually. Very "American", if I get the concept across.

EndaHonesty

H3llR4iser wrote: »

That said, last month I was in Italy and saw a couple of FIAT Freemont going around...it doesn't look too bad, actually. Very "American", if I get the concept across.

The Fiat Freemont is just a rebadged Dodge Journey. So yes it's very American.

H3llR4iser

EndaHonesty wrote: »

The Fiat Freemont is just a rebadged Dodge Journey. So yes it's very American.

That would explain why it looks way better than the other EU based SUVs (read - cars on stilts).

bear1

They are still missing that flair that they had years ago. I'm hoping the Giulia will turn that around but I think in this day and age that's a very hard thing to fo.
The 156 was a belter of a car, brilliant handling no matter which engine you took.

166man

OSI wrote: »

They'll have a lot of work to do to regain peoples interest. The Giulietta and MiTo are just incredibly uninspired cars and have nothing of the Alfa DNA in them. I test drove a 08 159 SW one day, and a 141 Giulietta the next and the Giulietta was a serious step back in every direction. It felt like a low spec Fiat Bravo.

Unless the Giulia comes out and is better than the competition by a big enough margin that it starts making headlines, I don't see it making as big a splash as it needs to.



Well it's a rebadged Dodge isn't it?

Agreed.

The Mito was a poor car and the Giulietta was actually even worse. An embarrassment to the Alfa Giulietta badge I think. Dreadful interiors in both and the engines are indeed uninspiring. Even the Cloverleaf Giulietta wasn't good.

The 159 was actually a very very good car and made up all the flaws that the 156 had (not that it had any of course)

166man

bear1 wrote: »

They are still missing that flair that they had years ago. I'm hoping the Giulia will turn that around but I think in this day and age that's a very hard thing to fo.
The 156 was a belter of a car, brilliant handling no matter which engine you took.

Yup, mines in Ireland all on it's lonesome and I still look forward to getting back and driving it again. Funny how cars are like that 😊

bear1

166man wrote: »

Yup, mines in Ireland all on it's lonesome and I still look forward to getting back and driving it again. Funny how cars are like that 😊

My biggest getting rid of a car regret is 5 cylinder 156.
It had damn near 250k miles on her when it was scrapped.
I've never regretted giving a car away so much and pine for another but I know another one won't have the character mine had.
Even the reg I cant forget 01-wd-3066.

quadrifoglio verde

bear1 wrote: »

They are still missing that flair that they had years ago. I'm hoping the Giulia will turn that around but I think in this day and age that's a very hard thing to fo.
The 156 was a belter of a car, brilliant handling no matter which engine you took.

The v6 wanted to put you into the hedge/barrier on the other side of the road at every corner :eek:
Really didn't rate the 156 v6 in the handling department. It was fantastic to drive though in that on the edge kind of way

Ive always thought we're lucky to get them in rhd. Wonder how much they lost on each rhd gtv back in the 90s

166man

bear1 wrote: »

My biggest getting rid of a car regret is 5 cylinder 156.
It had damn near 250k miles on her when it was scrapped.
I've never regretted giving a car away so much and pine for another but I know another one won't have the character mine had.
Even the reg I cant forget 01-wd-3066.

Can we meet someday and both pine after our 5 cylinder Alfas? Really miss my one was the 175bhp 20V.

One of the best engines of the late 90's and early 00's without a doubt.

Between that and the Busso Alfa really had some cracking engines 😊

bear1

166man wrote: »

Can we meet someday and both pine after our 5 cylinder Alfas? Really miss my one was the 175bhp 20V.

One of the best engines of the late 90's and early 00's without a doubt.

Between that and the Busso Alfa really had some cracking engines 😊

That would be some meet
Have you ever driven the 155 v6? Shag all power, think they were 165bhp but seriously fun to be in

carsfan2

http://www.completecar.ie/car-news/article/6556/Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-Irish-prices

Seems well priced compared to the opposition.
Hope it is a success for them.

Leonard Hofstadter

carsfan2 wrote: »

http://www.completecar.ie/car-news/article/6556/Alfa-Romeo-Giulia-Irish-prices

Seems well priced compared to the opposition.
Hope it is a success for them.

I agree, I hope it will work out for them, it is much better for competition and moving cars forward if there is more high quality options available to buyers rather than being just a choice of the three Germans.

bear1

150 is quite low for a modern 2.2 jtd.
But just under 40k, I was expecting around the 50 mark.
Interesting that the 200 bhp version is 400e only more than the entry diesel model.

Avatar MIA

I bought a 210 BHP 2.4 JTDM 159 new and while I enjoyed it, this new Alfa doesn't do it for me.

If it were the first Alfa I'd own, then maybe, but there's too many other choices to pick from.

MTBD

bear1 wrote: »

150 is quite low for a modern 2.2 jtd.
But just under 40k, I was expecting around the 50 mark.
Interesting that the 200 bhp version is 400e only more than the entry diesel model.

The difference between them is only a map so thats all it should be. Unlike the difference between a 316D and a 320D which is still only a map and there is €1500 in the difference.

Anyway, I cant wait to drive one. I am in two minds though. A new one of these or a 3 year old 4C in a couple of years time? I have no need for a car as big as a Giulia and practicality is not exactly important when I have a van. God its nice to have a couple of Alfas to actually really want again.

bear1

In Ireland unfortunately if you want any chance of selling it then the Giulia would make more sense.
Fun wise I'd have the 4c.
If I was going for the Giulia then only a petrol.

166man

You'll be surprised in person Bear, the giulia isn't that big of a car and the boot is quite small.

I'd like to know if an estate is coming.

bear1

2018 supposedly.

MTBD

bear1 wrote: »

In Ireland unfortunately if you want any chance of selling it then the Giulia would make more sense.
Fun wise I'd have the 4c.
If I was going for the Giulia then only a petrol.

Yes, I'd go petrol too. Tax difference is negligible and fuel consumption is now quite good in petrol.

The thing with the 4c is you could possibly sell it for more than you bought it, the Giulia on the other hand would just be like burning money on a standard depreciation curve like any relatively new and mainstream car.

Ardennes1944

Saw one on the way to Zurich last night, wasnt a very high spec model or anything but wasnt impressed at all.

bear1

I had seen one near rome but it was the 500 bhp one.
The sound alone would convince me.

GavMan

It will be interest to see if they do a PCP offering and if so, where do they set the GFMV compared to say a 3 series or an A4...

ba_barabus

I drove a preproduction one along the Amalfi coast in July.

I wasn't a big fan after seeing pictures and a few early reports but I was converted after driving it. It's great and looks a lot better in the metal.

I did have a few concerns over quality which I was assured would be addressed in the final version. As such I'll reserve full judgement when I see it.

Incidentally I drove a 2.2 diesel manual which we're not getting here.

ShadowHearth

I love the looks. Something really nice since 159.
Price looks okay. Unfortunately I won't be able to buy something like that brand new, but in a few years, I would.
The only thing that is very disappointing is the 2.2 diesel engine. Only 150hp? Alfa managed to get 150hp out of 1.9 for the last 10 years, surelytheu could have improved. If it would be 200hp, it would be perfect.
Then again I would be more interested in that turbo petrol engine.

carsfan2

Sat into one in the dealers today.
Love the looks on the outside.
Surprised how small it was inside especially in the back.
Quality of interior plastics OK but not as good as Germans generally and way off Audi.
Specced up a nice 180 bhp diesel and was 50 grand.
Dealer said they are getting interest from lots of diverse buyers and a few orders from Bmw and merc owners bored and looking for a change.
One of the problems I see is that the dealer is selling fiat and Citroen too and the whole set up doesn't seem premium enough for somebody spending this amount of cash.

Avatar MIA

carsfan2 wrote: »

One of the problems I see is that the dealer is selling fiat and Citroen too and the whole set up doesn't seem premium enough for somebody spending this amount of cash.

You have a point here - I bought a €55k 159 and the dealer made a hash off what turned out to be 2 main issues, because he wasn't used to selling the type of cars. It took an independent Alfa specialist to fix it. It took some of the joy out of the first two years of ownership.

wotswattage

I remember the first time I saw a 159 in 2006/7, my jaw dropped. I had to have one at some stage!
I saw a few Giulias in Italy recently and while they look nice there is nowhere near the same 'wow' factor...

*The interior is gorgeous though

JoeA3

The power outputs of their engines seem a tad on the low side. Did I see the 2.0 petrol option **only** has 200 bhp? And the diesels are 150?

Great looking car and I'd love to see it do well. Sadly though I think the terrible dealer network and fears of unreliability / stone-like depreciation will work against it.

ba_barabus

carsfan2 wrote: »

Sat into one in the dealers today.
Love the looks on the outside.
Surprised how small it was inside especially in the back.
Quality of interior plastics OK but not as good as Germans generally and way off Audi.
Specced up a nice 180 bhp diesel and was 50 grand.
Dealer said they are getting interest from lots of diverse buyers and a few orders from Bmw and merc owners bored and looking for a change.
One of the problems I see is that the dealer is selling fiat and Citroen too and the whole set up doesn't seem premium enough for somebody spending this amount of cash.

Clareview motors limerick I assume?

bear1

carsfan2 wrote: »

Sat into one in the dealers today.
Love the looks on the outside.
Surprised how small it was inside especially in the back.
Quality of interior plastics OK but not as good as Germans generally and way off Audi.
Specced up a nice 180 bhp diesel and was 50 grand.
Dealer said they are getting interest from lots of diverse buyers and a few orders from Bmw and merc owners bored and looking for a change.
One of the problems I see is that the dealer is selling fiat and Citroen too and the whole set up doesn't seem premium enough for somebody spending this amount of cash.

Are you ordering one?

MTBD

JoeA3 wrote: »

The power outputs of their engines seem a tad on the low side. Did I see the 2.0 petrol option **only** has 200 bhp? And the diesels are 150?

Great looking car and I'd love to see it do well. Sadly though I think the terrible dealer network and fears of unreliability / stone-like depreciation will work against it.

A lot of comment about this on the Alfa forums. All of them are showing more power than quoted on the dynos. 150bhp is more like 165bhp in reality.

I can't agree about the interior quality comments. I drove one on the same day as an a4 and 3 series and there was no gulf in quality and I was specifically looking for weaknesses in the Alfa and exceptional quality in the Audi. I think that's is in your head more than anything. If you can test them back to back I'd love to see the specific areas where there is this lack of quality you talk about because I couldn't see it or feel it.

MTBD

carsfan2 wrote: »

One of the problems I see is that the dealer is selling fiat and Citroen too and the whole set up doesn't seem premium enough for somebody spending this amount of cash.

I get where you are coming from to an extent but here's my problem. An Audi a4 shares its engines and gearboxes with a Skoda octavia, seat Leon, VW Passat, etc. Surely this is a much bigger deal breaker when it comes to judging if a car is premium or not than the appearance of its dealerships?

Do people want a premium product or merely the illusion of a premium product? The same goes for Mercedes with their Renault engines.

kyote00

Cant really see the point of driving a diesel alfa. There is supposed to be a 2.0 petrol turbo coming with 280hp for US market....

Not sure if the petrol engines are the same GM based unit that was in the 159/Brera JTS models

RWD is great but not sure about the carbon fibre driveshaft.....

As others mentioned, the dealer network in Ireland is nearly all gone. Same as when the 156 came out, sales went thro the roof but the dealers could not cope.....

bear1 wrote: »

In Ireland unfortunately if you want any chance of selling it then the Giulia would make more sense.
Fun wise I'd have the 4c.
If I was going for the Giulia then only a petrol.