Alfa Romeo is a manufacturer renowned for lightweight cars boasting exquisite handling
and style, sure to stir the soul of their drivers.
In fact, it’s become something of a motoring by-law, that if you’re a true petrol head
you have to owned at least one Alfa.
But, recently, there hasn’t been too much for Alfa fans to get excited about.
The 159 was too heavy and underpowered, and while the Giulietta and MiTo aren’t bad
cars, they are based on Fiat underpinnings, and their handling always fell short of the
class leaders.
With the Giulia, Alfa Romeo is trying to put all this right.
Compared with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Jaguar XE, the Giulia is very light, very
high-tech and wonderfully good-looking.
Oh, and did I mention there’s a Quadrifoglio version with over 500bhp…well I’ll be
driving that on track later.
So, what of the standard Giulia.
Well, it has either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and in the UK it comes exclusively with
an eight-speed automatic.
Now, Alfa hasn’t adapted its manual gearbox for right-hand drive cars, but don’t worry.
This ZF auto is sublime, and has fantastically aluminium shifters, which stem from the column,
so you always know where they are.
Engines are a 2.0-litre petrol with just under 200bhp and a 2.2-litre diesel with 148 or
178bhp, roughly the same as the Jag.
We’re driving the latter, and it’s not bad, even if it’s a little vocal if you
rev it hard.
But there’s so much torque, you can make easy, refined progress.
It will hit 62mph in just over seven seconds and 67mpg isn’t out of the question, matching
the BMW 320d.
But really, think of this engine as a tool to access the chassis.
It has been a long time since Alfa Romeo built a rear-wheel drive saloon, and it has been
worth the wait.
With 50:50 weight distribution thanks to some clever use of materials, the Giulia is a real
joy to drive.
The steering is really direct, in fact I was worried at just two turns lock to lock it
would feel nervous.
But, you soon get used to it, and it’s wonderful to feel the rear tyres load up as you slice
through a corner.
And then there’s the feeling you get in here.
Alfas often have some design flourishes inside, but they haven’t been renowned for the best
quality.
Well, the Giulia has the best Alfa cabin to date by a long chalk, with an attractive dashboard
layout, lovely steering wheel and 8.8-inch infotainment system, compatible with Apple
Carplay and Android Auto.
OK, an A4 might feel more expensive and tech-filled, but the Giulia fights back with character.
But really, the best place to look at the Giulia is from the outside.
There’s something about its triangular grille, low stance and curvaceous lines which oozes
appeal.
You just know you’d love to have one parked on your driveway, painted in blood red amongst
a sea of hatchback’s and crossovers.
While the Alfa 4C grabbed well-deserved attention with its carbon chassis and mini-supercar
looks, such a small volume car could never turn around alfas fortunes single-handedly.
No, Alfa has always been most famous for its nimble saloons, and the new Giuliua is certainly
one of them.
It feels lithe and agile, it can be a refined and economical cruiser when you want it to
be and the QF is hugely exciting.
I for one, can’t wait to drive it in the UK, because its looking like alfa has well
and truly started its comeback.