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Alfa slows its heart as it finds the market's common ground. Photo Gallery
Neil Dowling road tests and reviews the Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV.
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THE map of the human heart contains a topography of passion, pain, pride and prejudice. In fact, it outlines all the emotions of owning an Alfa Romeo. The latest map from the Italian, however, marks a different route than those previously followed.
Its new car, the five-door family-sized Giulietta, details an Alfa that has less of the pain and prejudice, more of the pride and invokes almost as much passion as its predecessors. The third incarnation of the Giulietta nameplate is undoubtedly beautiful, surprisingly functional, has elements that indicate durability but in becoming a better car, had to give up some of its larrikin ways.
It's more for the family - but it still goes like stink.
VALUE
Not cheap. The Giulietta (pronounced Julietta, as if you have to be told) is tested here as the top-spec QV - Quadrifoglio Verde - is $41,990 plus on-road costs. Comparing that to its rivals (see below) shows it up as being a bit expensive. But take the feature list into account and its reasonable value for money.
Standard gear includes the turbo engine, six-speed manual - sorry, no auto yet - and a really sophisticated, tight and beautifully tied down chassis.
Safety is paramount, there's a Bose audio to rip your ears off, 18-inch spidery black alloys to make your eyes water and a top-notch infotainment unit. Did I mention that it also goes like stink?
TECHNOLOGY
The QV gets a turbo-petrol engine but there's a cheaper Giulietta with a clever 1.4-litre with solenoids controlling the intake valves. Smart! But I digress.
The QV is less technically endowed in the engine department but makes up for it with a chassis plugged into every electronic aid known to NASA, including a three-mode management nanny that acts like varying cup sizes of espresso.
Called DNA, it's a console switch that acts on the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox. Flick it to Dynamic and it's a three-espresso hit with instant engine response and a firmer steering feel (done by easing off the electric assistance - while Normal is a single espresso and is still pretty enthusiastic while "all-weather" is a frontal lobotomy designed to sluggishly get through snow.
There's also an electronic diff that uses the electronic stability control to mimic the actions of a conventional limited-slip differential.
STYLE
This thing is beautiful. It's logical to compare this car with the Volkswagen Golf but, seriously, the Golf is crisp and functional like Kiera Knightly while the Giulietta is sensual and rounded like Monica Belluci. No contest.
But that's the outside. The cabin is a tad convoluted with insufficient thought to the size and placement of switchgear. Yes, you get used to it but - back to the Golf - there's a clumsiness that could have been avoided. Note the big glovebox with a lid that will shave your partner shins; the too-small centre console holes; and the hard-to-read numbers on the gauges.
Cabin room is reasonable with the claustrophobic sensation due to the high waist and narrow glass. Room in the back is good and only marred by small and awkwardly designed door openings, while the boot matches its rivals for space.
SAFETY
This gets a five-star, six airbags (Alfa says you don't need a seventh for your knees because of the seat design) and every conceivable device to stop you safely and get you around corners quickly. For those who don't like clutches, it even has a hill-holder.
DRIVING
Forget the other switches, go straight to the Alfa DNA's Dynamic mode. It makes the QV sharp and so much fun. There's a lot of the Golf in this chassis. Punch it into a corner and the rear follows the line - there's no pushing at the nose (understeer) like you're pulling a caravan and the steering is unusually positive for an electric unit.
The gearchange is pretty good, tending to work better when the car was being hurried and the ratios are a good balance between tight stuff and cruisey highways. The ride is close to superb. No noise from the suspension, even when it's working hard, and the QV will hold its line so well - better than the superseded 147 which was actually damn good.
But the gem is the engine. It has so much torque that it feels ready to pounce in any gear. It makes driving tis thing so easy and makes it so much fun, specially when accelerating out of a corner.
But there's no theatre. The engine noise is there - muffled but there - while the exhaust is practically inaudible. As I said, like a Camry. Shame on you Alfa - you harp on about Giulietta's history and forget the soundtrack.
VERDICT
Come to the front of the class, Alfa! The Giulietta - finally - strikes a superb balance of day-to-day practicality with a chassis and engine that invites enthusiastic driving. It's dulled by a bland exhaust note and a lack of an automatic option will lose punters but it's still a great car.
RATING
4/5
OWNERSHIP
Price $41,990
Warranty 3 years, 100,000km, roadside assist
Resale 65%
Service Interval 20,000km or 12 months
Economy 7.6 l/100km; 177g/km CO2
Safety six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.
Crash rating 5 star
Engine 173kW/340Nm 1.75-litre turbo-petrol
Transmission Six-speed manual
Body 5-door, 5 seats
Dimensions 4351 (L); 1798mm (W); 1465mm (H); 2634mm (WB)
Weight 1320kg
Three Others to consider.
GOLF GTI
PRICE: $38,900
ENGINE: 2-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 155kW/280Nm
TRANS: 6-spd manual, front drive
BODY: 5-door hatch
THIRST: 7.7L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 180g/km
"One of the most engaging hatches around"
LANCER RALLIART
PRICE: $43,890
ENGINE: 2-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 177kW/343Nm
TRANS: 6-spd dual-clutch, AWD
BODY: 5-door hatch
THIRST: 10.2L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 237g/km
"Compromises drive home as Evo meets family hatch"
MAZDA3 MPS
PRICE: $38,435
ENGINE: 2.3-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 190kW/380Nm
TRANS: 6-spd manual, front drive
BODY: 5-door hatch
THIRST: 9.9L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 235g/km
"Drama-filled performance erodes neat package"
STUFF ABOUT GIULIETTA:
1954: The Giulietta - with a 60kW 1.3-litre twin-cam engine - is born.
1976: The Giulietta name was revived for new, boxy saloon using Alfetta engines and transmission.
1985: To celebrate Alfa's 75th anniversary the Giulietta is replaced by the 75.
1986: Alfa Romeo is sold by the government-backed IRL to Fiat.
2001: Alfa Romeo wins Car of the Year with the 147 compact hatchback.
2010: Alfa - for the third time - resurrects the Giulietta name in a five-door compact shown at the Geneva motor show.
