The Alfa Romeo Giulietta has been on sale unchanged since its launch in 2010. Now, the car receives a cosmetic touchup, though sadly, few will actually know that any work has been done.
Good thing they did a great job designing it in the firsts place so that they don’t have too much updating to do before it’s phased out – it’s the Alfa way as seen in the 159 that lived its life with no visual changes whatsoever.
However, in the case of this Giulietta hatch, they have tinkered with the grille, which is somehow different and the all-important customer-attracting…foglamp bezels – the new-design alloy wheels will probably attract more attention, though.
The same light touch is applied inside, where the seats have been made sportier and more supportive whichever Giulietta you go for, and there are also new door trims and a new steering wheel which is only marginally less unattractive and bulky-looking than the current car’s helm. Digital DAB radio is now also offered with the optional Uconnect infotainment system.
Revisions reach the engine lineup too, which now features a new JTDM-2 diesel with 150 PS (148 hp) and the highest low-rpm torque in the segment – 380 Nm at 1,750 rpm.
Pricing for the revised Giulietta has been announced for the UK market, where the vehicle starts at £18,235 OTR. Trims available are called Progression, Distinctive and Exclusive.
The first is entry-level and “equates to almost £1,700 worth of additional standard equipment for a modest £470 price increase compared to the outgoing Turismo;” entry level diesel and petrol engine are the sole options here, and all the basic amenities are in place: “air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, VDC stability control and Alfa Romeo’s electronic Q2 differential.”
Move up to Distinctive, and you get the aforementioned new infotainment with digital radio, as well as the option to specify the new engine too. It also adds “rear parking sensors, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, front fog lights, chrome-effect window surrounds, sports dials, an alarm system, a height-adjustable passenger seat and a front armrest with storage.”
The second most exclusive trim is called…Exclusive and it adds a reported £2,000-worth of extra kit for a £920, and Sportiva Nav sits at the very top, adding with it £2,500 in options for £810. These include: “sports suspension; 18-inch alloy wheels in a dark titanium finish; red Brembo brake callipers with uprated discs and unique badging – but is now fitted with a sports steering wheel with white stitching; leather and Alcantara upholstery; front parking sensors and, as the name suggests, a new 6.5-inch Uconnect.”
In the future, Alfa plans to add a 175PS version of the 2.0-liter diesel to the range, and it will only be made available in the top two trims.
By Andrei Nedelea
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