Page 44 - Real Rochdale - Autumn 2018
P. 44
EVERYONE loves an Alfa Romeo I’ve been driving a mid-range Giulia Super 2.2
diesel with 180 bhp (from £33,315 OTR), which
is expected to be the best-selling Giulia as it
emits just 109g/km of CO2 and is capable of
67.3 mpg on the combined cycle, despite being
able to hit 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds, and go on
to a top speed of 143 mph.
The 150 bhp version has exactly the same
consumption and CO2 figures but is a second
slower to 60 mph.
From the outside you have to say that Alfa has
once again produced a very good-looking car.
From the front there is no mistaking it for any
other marque with that large V-shaped grille
and large, open front vents either side. The
swooping headlights are angled down slightly
at the front and give the impression the car is
eyeing you suspiciously - it’s dramatic and
appealing too.
All models look sporty from any angle as the
Giulia is quite low-slung with a slightly raised
backside. The Super features dual exhausts left
and right, which adds appeal at the back and to
my eyes it’s better looking than its main rivals,
the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and the
Audi A4. I would say it even pips the striking
Everyone loves an Alfa Romeo, right? The Giulia is a true sporting Alfa with rear- Jaguar XE in kerb-appeal.
wheel drive, lightweight body, low centre of
Even a certain Mr Clarkson reckons you’re not gravity, punchy engines and gorgeous looks. Inside, Alfa has made a huge effort to draw
a proper petrol-head until you’ve owned one. Okay, it isn’t available with a manual gearbox level with the Germans on quality of fit and
but trust me, you won’t care once you’ve driven finish, but not quite pulled it off. Some of the
So, hands up anyone who has actually bought one as the eight-speed ZF auto box is an lower plastics feel a little on the hard side and
one... thought not. absolute cracker. the infotainment scroll wheel feels lightweight
although generally you won’t find much to
You see, when it comes to our cars we’re a I could wax lyrical here about the £61,595 complain about.
pretty conservative lot. We are beguiled by Giulia Quadrifoglio with its Ferrari-inspired
beauty but when it comes to laying down cash (ahem) V6 engine, 510 bhp and top speed of Alfa has delivered a sporting saloon that is
the desire dissipates, the ‘sensible hat’ is put on 193 mph, but we will concentrate, for now, on easy to live with and very hard to beat when it
and we leave the forecourt in something the more mainstream models. comes to driving satisfaction. I also managed
German or Japanese. 48 mpg on mixed roads with quite a bit of
There are three engines to choose from - a 2.2 town driving.
However, you can now keep the desire alive, diesel with either 150 bhp or 180 bhp, a 2.0
leave the hat on and drive away in an Alfa litre petrol with 200 bhp or - in Veloce trim only Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar all produce
Romeo because the new Giulia is possibly the - a 2.0 litre petrol with 280 bhp. very capable sporting saloons but as things
best driving executive saloon on the planet and stand I would say the Giulia has them beat for
is what all Alfisti (collective term for people Prices start at £29,875 OTR for the Giulia 2.0 sheer satisfaction behind the wheel.
who love Alfa Romeos) have been hankering for petrol and rise to £38,260 OTR for the Veloce
since the demise of the RWD Alfetta GT back in which features an upgraded braking system. Alfa is back.
the 80s.
VERDICT: *****
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