Alfa Romeo Giulietta - what is it really?
“Look at me, hug me, adore me, love me… Test me before you talk about me!”
An exciting advertisement for an unusual car from a legendary brand that has loyal fans around the world. How did the Italians design the successors to the 147? Segment C is one of the most popular in our country. They ride, women and boys. Yes! real guys who love beautiful cars. Juliet - "Italian beauty".
The car is extraordinary, it attracts attention and cannot be confused with any other. Despite the premiere in 2010, the design is very fresh and attracts the attention of passers-by. Let's start with the characteristic Alfa Romeo grille, which at the same time forced the license plate to be moved to the left side of the bumper. It might look like it's made of aluminum or some other "prestige" material, but unfortunately it's plastic. It looks very good in my opinion and neither the look nor the workmanship is overwhelming. Instead, it adds aggression and sporty flair. It is impossible not to notice Yulka's interesting "eyes" with LED daytime running lights. When we look at the car from the side, we see the classic lines of a 3-door hatchback… Wait! After all, the Giulietta is a 5-door, and the rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillar. Let's go back, because here it really is. The one-of-a-kind LED lamps have a distinctive shape that even lifts the entire rear of the car and adds lightness and character to it. There are no compromises at the back, the bumper is massive and emphasizes Yulka's sporting aspirations. It will not be easy to load heavy suitcases, because the trunk threshold is very high. The car is crowned with mirrors, which may not be impressive in design, but we can choose a few colored trims and at least a little, except for the rims, of course, they will help us personalize the car.
Grabbing a comfortable and attention-grabbing handle, we open the door, jump into the driver's seat and the first thing we see is a massive steering wheel that fits well in our hands. Unfortunately, the control buttons for the radio and phone are very inconvenient and you have to press them hard to work. Here and there, Alfa makes up for poor workmanship and very mediocre materials with a very interesting design. This is the case with beautiful analog clocks placed in tubes (by turning the key, we can admire the launch ceremonies known, for example, from motorcycles) or an unusual dashboard with switches directly from aircraft. However, for the most part, plastic is of average quality and begins to creak over time. Too bad, because Alfa Roemo is struggling to make its way into the Premium segment, and using plastics from the Fiat Bravo (of which it's the sportier and "exclusive" sister) won't exactly help. As for ergonomics, the designers should be praised - everything except the buttons on the steering wheel works smoothly, conveniently and is at hand. The seats are soft, but short and do not have lateral support. This has been fixed in the updated version. There is plenty of legroom, both front and rear. Four men 180 cm tall can easily travel by car, everyone will feel relatively comfortable. The trunk, or rather access to it, is a decisive disadvantage of the car. No need to look for a hidden handle on the tailgate, the trunk is opened with a button on the key (or in fact the tailgate is only unlocked) or by pressing the logo on the tailgate. This is very inconvenient, especially if it's raining or in winter when the logo can freeze. Yulka compensates for these inconveniences with the right shapes and hooks, on which we can stretch the shopping net. The rear seat is 2/3 split but doesn't create a flat floor.
The first thing I thought about when I saw this car was if it drives as well as it looks. The answer is yes and no. A definite "yes" when it comes to everyday driving, around the city and off-road. The car is alive, there is not enough power, it is easy to park.
The engine that Alfie tested was a 1.4 turbocharged petrol engine with 120 km and 206 Nm of torque. The manufacturer spoils us with the fact that we can choose one of 7 engines (4 petrol engines from 105 hp to 240 hp and 3 diesel engines from 105 hp to 170 hp). Prices start from PLN 74, but for a well-equipped car we will have to leave around PLN 000. The top version costs about PLN 90. Remember that with this brand, list prices are one thing and dealership selling prices are another. The price largely depends on the current promotion or the negotiation skills of the buyer.
Returning to the driving experience - thanks to the turbine, we get, first of all, the sensational elasticity of the engine, the car accelerates in every gear, we do not have to constantly pump the lever. Fuel consumption during normal driving with air conditioning on in mixed mode is less than 8 liters per 100 km. On the highway we can go down to 6,5l / 100. Foreign track at a speed of 140 km / h and 4 people on board and 7,5 liters of luggage. However, with the help of all the herd slumbering under the hood, it is very effective (though not quite effective) - starting with the squeal of tires from under each lamp, checking where the car has a “cut-off”, we end up with a result of 12l / 100 in the city. This is where our “no” becomes clear, because the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is not a sports car. Despite sports accessories such as the Q2 electronic differential or the DNA system, this car is not very sporty. These add-ons are only meant to improve our experience with this cute but predatory vehicle whenever we want to. Especially the aforementioned DNA system (3 modes to choose from: Dynamic, Neutral, All-weather) will help us in winter when it is slippery outside (A mode), and let us have some fun (D). The Giulietta rides very well, the suspension is well tuned but quite soft. On the steering wheel, we can feel where the front wheels are at the moment, and the steering system itself does not disappoint and works very well, especially in dynamic mode, when the steering wheel offers pleasant resistance.
It's hard for me to sum up this car, because that's exactly what I expected. Unusual (appearance), but also "ordinary" (price, usefulness). Yulka is definitely a car for car enthusiasts, but also for people who have their own style and want to stand out from the crowd of other boring hatchback users who drive on the roads. The era of cars with soul and personality is long over. Fortunately, not with Alfa Romeo.
