She’s finally arrived; her name is Giulietta - a noble and perfect name to honour the company’s Centenary that is just around the corner.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta will make its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motor Show and will be available on all main markets as from next spring. Let’s explore it together.

Performance purists and comfort lovers will surely agree: the technical solutions adopted on the car, from the suspensions to the new generation steering system up to the rigid yet light body combining aluminium and high-resistance steels, contribute to making this a truly unique car of its kind. The DNA function will be a standard feature on all models, thereby confirming the success of the system that was previously experimented on MiTo.

Engines
The car will be launched with standard “Start&Stop" function and a choice of 4 Euro-5 Turbo engines:
two petrol-powered versions (120 HP 1.4 TB and 170 HP 1.4 TB MultiAir) and two diesel-powered versions (105 HP 1.6 JTDM and 170 HP 2.0 JTDM). Finally, the range is completed by the sharp-performing 235 HP 1750 Tbi version combined with the exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde fit-outs.

Safety and dynamic behaviour
Suspensions, steering and brakes were designed for ensuring maximum balance, even during extreme manoeuvres.
Moreover, Alfa Romeo Giulietta offers total protection for both driver and passenger alike and, as a result, has the maximum Euro NCAP rating.

Alongside the DNA function, the car’s other standard features include the following sophisticated electronic systems for dynamic behaviour control:
- VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control)
- DST (Dynamic Steering Torque)
- Electronic differential Q2

Sports car character and comfort in pure Italian style
Personality, dynamism and elegant forms are the trump cards of Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a car that evokes the brand’s past glory while adding a strong dose of technology and modernity.

The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) function for the LED front and rear lights ensures maximum active safety.
The compact, solid and muscular forms add a sports car character to the car without sacrificing the roominess of the interior (that evokes the style of the 50’s Giulietta and of the 8C Competizione) and the boot capacity (350 litres).

Fancy discovering all the Alfa Romeo Giulietta secrets? The website is due to be activated soon: it will provide detailed information and pictures of the most recent Alfa Romeo creation.

As soon as the website goes online, we will inform you on how to link up … so subscribe!

Arrival and lunch

Upon arriving in Carisio, we are warmly welcomed by Giorgio from IconMediaLab, who is teased by almost everyone because the car he rented to drive here from Milan is not an Alfa.
Later we are joined by Laura Pezzotta (Web Project Manager) and Andrea Vecchi (from the Alfa Romeo Marketing Dept.), and the conversation picks-up as we start discussing product and communication strategies.

Balocco, here we go!

After the very interesting lunch/focus group, we head for the Balocco Experimental Centre. In the visitor parking lot, some of the bolder members of the group cannot resist the temptation to get a closer look at the 940 and 199FL spare cars. But it’s the MultiAir we’re here for. So without further ado, we head towards the farmyard where we are welcomed by the press-preview prototypes that are waiting to take to the racetrack again, on that very same course where they were developed.

The briefing session

Riccardo greets us as we arrive, and after introducing us to the test-drivers, walks us to the Autodelta room, the current temple of 8C customers.
A cross-section of the MultiAir engine is on display in the 8C delivery area for the presentation to press. Here Riccardo holds a briefing session on the engine’s new technology and on the test-drive we’ll soon be taking.
As the first bloggers depart, I’m left with Laura and Riccardo with whom I exchange a few words while I wait for my turn to drive.

MultiAir & Langhe

Now it’s my turn. Rocco, my test-driver, waits with the 135 HP 289 Alfa Red Turbo Petrol MultiAir MiTo that I will be driving.
I immediately notice the improved engine sound. The 135 HP now has a deeper, stronger sound, thanks to the new exhaust system with a straight-bore central pipe, 155 HP ISO. Unlike the previous MiTo petrol engines, the sound of the engine mechanics no longer sounds anything like that of the Fire engines. At low revolutions, a slight ticking sound similar to that of diesel engines can be heard; it's caused by the activation of the electrovalves.
As we start around the circuit, Rocco launches the car in Dynamic mode while brushing the curves and occasionally accelerating to steer the car. Thanks to the electronic Q2 system, the front wheels stay pointed towards the inside of the curve while the rear stays in line without losing composure.
With the demo lap over, I settle into the driver’s seat. After adjusting the seat and steering wheel, I fasten my seat belt and I’m ready to go! I start off with the control lever in Normal mode. My first impression is that this is a highly responsive and fluid engine during acceleration, combined with immediate torque delivery and no turbo-lag. There is muted feedback throughout these phases due to the accelerator’s torque filtering and the specific delivery curves of Normal mode. After driving through a few curves, I notice that the steering has been improved and now feels much more precise.
After a brief stop to test the Start&Stop function, we begin the second lap, this time in Dynamic mode. Rpm climbs rapidly and vigorously during acceleration, with a truly pleasant downward thrust, then stabilises above 4,000 rpm. The maximum torque available is not very high but its delivery is very satisfactory, putting this car in the “fun-to-drive” category. The quick engine response can also be attributed to the accelerator pedal map that between 1,500 rpm and 5,500 rpm divides into two operating modes selected through the DNA selector.
In terms of handling, MiTo responds more accurately compared to previous versions. In particular, the rear wheels offer a precise road feel without the much-discussed loss of rear wheel grip. The steering provides accurate feedback in Dynamic mode and once the car enters a curve, it’s fun to experiment with the electronic Q2 system, by keeping the steering wheel fixed and using the accelerator to steer the car – without exaggerating of course, otherwise the car will obviously understeer.
I was also impressed by the modified gear couplings that are now shorter and ensure more accurate and quicker gear engagement. The seats have a standard contour and are not very forgiving for track-driving purposes, although the excellent and comfortable foot rest provides plenty of anchorage to the floor.

A roaring conclusion

Thanks to Laura’s invitation, we MiTomaniacs discover a pleasant surprise: the 8C Alfa Competition. The car is easily recognisable by the four-leaf clover symbols (“Quadrifoglio”) on the mudguards (which I adore), its woven red leather interior, and the 202 Red body.
After coming to a brief stop with the engine on, the 8C drives away greeting onlookers with a roar that can be heard from a long way off.

Conclusions

I had a wonderful day in Balocco. My first MiTo Blog event was no doubt a highly positive experience.
I experienced superb sensations at the wheel of the Alfa MiTo MultiAir : it is truly an excellent engine for its category and, thanks to the other improvements made, the car offers even greater driving satisfaction.
The crowning moment and most interesting part of the event, however, was the opportunity to directly interact with the Alfa Romeo management team and technicians. It’s rewarding to be able to express one's expectations on the company face-to-face, but the most gratifying feeling is to discover that your feedback is being taken into account (see the modifications mentioned above). You’re definitely on the right track for the future.

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