Alfa Romeo improves efficiency and performance for Giulietta hatch
2015-07-28 16:25:32
The forthcoming Giulia saloon may be grabbing all the headlines for Alfa Romeo, but that means its lesser models – the Mito and Giulietta hatchbacks – are in danger of being overlooked. So the Italian company has made some changes which will see the Giulietta benefit from lower emissions, improved fuel economy and, in some models at least, better performance.
The best-selling 1.6 JTDM-2 turbocharged diesel, for example, sees its emissions drop from 104g/km of CO2 to just 99g/km whilst returning 74.3mpg on the combined cycle (from 70.6mpg). That means if you buy it ahead of September, and you will be exempt from the yearly VED. The benefit-in-kind tax rate reduces to 17%. Despite the efficiency gains, power has increased from 104bhp to 118bhp, meaning that the Italian manufacturer has been able to slice 1.3-seconds off the 0-62mph sprint time. This feat is now able to be accomplished in 10-seconds flat. It can go on to 121mph – an increase of 6mph.
All of the remaining engines have been made Euro6 compliant, reducing their BIK rates by 1% - barring the 148bhp 2.0 JTDM-2. The turbocharged 1.4 MultiAir petrol is available in two outputs: 148bhp and 168bhp. Thanks to a drop into a lower emissions band D, and if you buy before September, you will pay just £110 per year. The most powerful of the duo will be able to get you to 62mph from a standing start in just 7.6-seconds before going on to 135mph.
At the top of the tree sits the Euro6-compliant 1.7 Quadrifoglio Verde, powered by the same engine that is used in the Alfa 4C. As a result, the QV is able to achieve the benchmark 0-62mph sprint in 6.6-seconds before it tops out at 152mph. On the combined cycle, it has officially been rated at 41.5mpg.
The Giulietta range starts from £18,450. For that you will get the 118bhp 1.4 TB Progression. The QV tops the range at £28,330.
This article was prepared by our car news team First4Auto
Reported By
Andrew Merritt-Morling
Chief Editor
Associate Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers
