TURIN: The facelifted Alfa Romeo Giulietta has been unveiled simultaneously in five locations across Europe, with the main event taking place in the Alfa Romeo Museum, Arese.
Further enhancing the range, following its extensive revision in 2014, the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta features revised front-end styling that includes a striking new honeycomb grille, piano black bumper inserts (with red highlights on sporty models) and revised headlamp and fog lamp surrounds.
Making its debut is the new 120hp 1.6 JTDM-2 turbo diesel combined with the Alfa TCT twin dry-clutch transmission.
The new look emphasises the Giulietta’s close ties with the new Giulia sports saloon and is complemented by new badge designs (both the “Alfa Romeo” and “Giulietta” logos), new alloy wheel designs, revised tail pipes, new colours (Alfa White and Lipari Grey) and a new engine and transmission combination.
The Giulietta is equipped with a host of features developed by Magneti Marelli - from lighting devices to powertrain, suspensions and exhaust systems.
Inside the Giulietta are revised seat upholsteries, dashboard and door panel finishes, a Uconnect infotainment system now with smartphone-enabled LIVE services (music streaming with Deezer and TuneIn, news with Reuters, Facebook Check-In and Twitter, plus eco:Drive and my:Car services and traffic updates for navigation-equipped models).
Also debuting on the new Giulietta is Alfa Performance, a new service specifically created to enhance the driving experience. Using an array of digital gauges and instruments, drivers can control the main parameters of the car, measure their performance using special timers and see driving statistics on their smartphone, in addition to receiving real-time driving tips. The service is available on Uconnect 6.5” Radio Nav LIVE.
Under the bonnet there’s now the option of combining the 1.6-litre JTDM-2 turbo diesel engine with the Alfa TCT twin dry-clutch transmission. Employing second-generation MultiJet technology with a variable geometry turbo charger, this engine produces 120hp at 3,750rpm and 320Nm of torque from just 1,750rpm and, when paired with Alfa Romeo’s quick-shifting and smooth Alfa TCT transmission, it can be used as a full automatic (with its responsiveness and shift patterns adjusted via the three-mode Alfa DNA drive selector, along with the power steering assistance, ESC and Q2 electronic differential settings and throttle and brake responsiveness) or as a full manual, either by slotting the gear selector into its sequential gate or by using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
This engine and transmission combination has a top speed of 195kph and can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 10.2 seconds, while its official combined cycle fuel-economy and emissions figures matches those of the manual version, returning 3.8 l/100 km and producing just 99 g/km of CO2.
The refreshed style elements are accompanied by a comprehensive standard equipment list which includes a leather steering wheel with audio remote controls, air conditioning, five-inch Uconnect LIVE with Bluetooth connectivity, the Alfa DNA selector, six airbags, 16-inch ‘Turbine’ alloy wheels, one-touch electric windows all round and steering-wheel paddle shifters on TCT-equipped models.
The engines available include the 120hp 1.4-litre turbo petrol and 120hp 1.6-litre JTDM-2 turbo diesel, 120hp 1.6-litre JTDM-2 turbo diesel TCT, 150hp 1.4-litre turbo petrol, 150hp 2.0-litre JTDM-2 turbo diesel and 175hp 2.0-litre JTDM-2 turbo diesel TCT.
In Europe, the Giulietta line-up features three trim levels (Giulietta, Giulietta Super and Giulietta Veloce), two new packs (Veloce and Lusso) and nine engine versions, including the new 1.6 JTDm 120 HP TCT turbo diesel. The palette to choose from includes 11 body colours, comprising the new Alfa White and Lipari Grey, 12 different alloy rims (each size with one new pattern) and two more packs (Comfort and Visibility) to meet varied customer needs.
The introduction of the new Giulietta was staged simultaneously on Wednesday at an international event called “Fuel your Instinct” in five cities. The central event was held in the Alfa Romeo Museum (La Macchina del Tempo / The Time Machine) in Arese, headlined by a special DJ set by British singer and songwriter Skin, with simultaneous musical events in Turin, Paris, Madrid and Frankfurt, all featuring high-profile local DJs, musicians and celebrities.
The car will make a public debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March before going on sale in Europe from April.
