New Alfa Romeo Giulietta Launched

The latest Alfa Romeo range to be launched is the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which goes on sale from May 2010. The range comprises of 3 petrol and 2 diesel engine options, all equipped with six speed manual gearboxes. The 5 door hatchback is styled by Alfa Romeo's own Centro Stile design division. Sitting on a 2634 mm wheelbase, it measures 4351 mm in overall length, and has a width of 1798 mm. The drag coefficient is a neat 0.31. The iconic 147-style hidden rear doorhandles make a return to Alfa Romeo models.

The three petrol engines on offer are all 16 valve four cylinders: a 1368 cc that develops 120 PS (88 kW) at 5000 rpm with 206 Nm (152 ft.lb) of torque at 1750 rpm; a more powerful version of the same size engine with power output of 170 PS (125 kW) at 5500 rpm and 250 Nm (184 ft.lb) of torque at 2500 rpm; and the range-topping 1.75 litre (1742 cc) that produces an impressive 235 PS (173 kW) of power at 5500 rpm and 340 Nm (251 ft.lb) of torque at 1900 rpm. All feature turbochargers and intercoolers. With the 1742 cc engine, the Giulietta will sprint to 100 km/h from rest in a claimed 6.8 seconds, and reach a maximum speed of 242 km/h. Emissions are 177 g/km of CO₂.

The diesel variants on offer are also 16 valve, four cylinder units: a 1.6 litre (1598 cc) with 105 PS (77 kW) power at 4000 rpm and 320 Nm (236 ft.lb) of torque at 1750 rpm, and a 2.0 litre (1956 cc) with peak power of 170 PS (125 kW) at 4000 rpm and 350 Nm (258 ft.lb) of torque at 1750 rpm. The more powerful engine endows the Giulietta with acceleration of 8.0 seconds from 0-100 km/h, and a top speed of 218 km/h. Claimed CO₂ emissions are 114 g/km and 124 g/km respectively.

The 4 lower-powered versions ride on 205/55 R 16 tyres, whilst the range-topping 1750 TBi sits on beefier 225/45 R 17 rubber. Braking on all the Giulietta models is via ABS- and EBD-equipped discs, ventilated at the front and solid at the rear. All come with 3 driver-selectable handling set-ups, Dynamic, Normal and All-Weather. these modify the operating parameters of the engine, gearbox, steering and the electronic Q2 differential.