Small engine, big power
It is safe to assume that the Giulietta would fit perfectly in the North American compact car landscape. It has no noticeable shortcomings. The Alfa even offers up numerous advantages, namely in the motivation department.
In Europe, this Alfa can be purchased with one of five powerplants; two of these are actually accessible in different sates of tune. While we can kiss the idea of diesel technology ciao, at least for the foreseeable future, my tester's 1.4L 4-cylinder engine is the most likely to make it when it comes to our market...
Right. It would appear as though the Giulietta is expected to replace the Dodge Caliber as Chrysler's compact car. Nothing concrete as of yet, but we should learn more as we get closer to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Stay tuned!
Back to our regularly scheduled programming: This MULTIAIR 1.4L is more or less the same as the one currently found in the Fiat 500. The Giulietta's version features that all-important, Honeywell-sourced turbocharger. At base boost, the engine produces 120 hp and 152 lb-ft of toque. As tested, my Veloce featured the 170 hp version with 180 torques.
Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, this Giulietta is capable of hitting 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds. I quickly learned while driving that although the mill is full of pep, it's the music from the charger and the growl from the cylinders that are particularly enjoyable. The turbo whistles its tune as boost swells; it's a lovely accompaniment to the scenery as it flies on by.
Longing for Stelvio Pass
The Giulietta is cracking fun to drive. The shifter and clutch's action take a few moments to adjust to, but once that adjustment is made any wheel time becomes good fun. Steering is responsive, with some vague on-centre feel. When loaded, it firms up nicely to provide feel and confidence. The same can be said about the car's smart-performing, 4-wheel disc brakes.
My brief drive took me through some country roads in and around Monticello, NY, and the suspension setup proved to be well suited to this type of driving, even when surfaces were not perfect. Any which way you look at it, it will drive better than what Dodge and Chrysler have in their compact and midsize segments at the moment.
As it were, I've recently spent a week with a 2012 Dodge Charger and the work that was accomplished to improve the car's dynamics is immediately noticeable. As I've noted, the Alfa's moderately nervous nature would bring much to the table for the Chrysler brand's identity.
It is safe to assume that the Giulietta would fit perfectly in the North American compact car landscape. It has no noticeable shortcomings. The Alfa even offers up numerous advantages, namely in the motivation department.
In Europe, this Alfa can be purchased with one of five powerplants; two of these are actually accessible in different sates of tune. While we can kiss the idea of diesel technology ciao, at least for the foreseeable future, my tester's 1.4L 4-cylinder engine is the most likely to make it when it comes to our market...
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| As tested, my Veloce featured the 170 hp version with 180 torques. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
Right. It would appear as though the Giulietta is expected to replace the Dodge Caliber as Chrysler's compact car. Nothing concrete as of yet, but we should learn more as we get closer to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Stay tuned!
Back to our regularly scheduled programming: This MULTIAIR 1.4L is more or less the same as the one currently found in the Fiat 500. The Giulietta's version features that all-important, Honeywell-sourced turbocharger. At base boost, the engine produces 120 hp and 152 lb-ft of toque. As tested, my Veloce featured the 170 hp version with 180 torques.
Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, this Giulietta is capable of hitting 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds. I quickly learned while driving that although the mill is full of pep, it's the music from the charger and the growl from the cylinders that are particularly enjoyable. The turbo whistles its tune as boost swells; it's a lovely accompaniment to the scenery as it flies on by.
Longing for Stelvio Pass
The Giulietta is cracking fun to drive. The shifter and clutch's action take a few moments to adjust to, but once that adjustment is made any wheel time becomes good fun. Steering is responsive, with some vague on-centre feel. When loaded, it firms up nicely to provide feel and confidence. The same can be said about the car's smart-performing, 4-wheel disc brakes.
My brief drive took me through some country roads in and around Monticello, NY, and the suspension setup proved to be well suited to this type of driving, even when surfaces were not perfect. Any which way you look at it, it will drive better than what Dodge and Chrysler have in their compact and midsize segments at the moment.
As it were, I've recently spent a week with a 2012 Dodge Charger and the work that was accomplished to improve the car's dynamics is immediately noticeable. As I've noted, the Alfa's moderately nervous nature would bring much to the table for the Chrysler brand's identity.
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| When loaded, the steering is firms up nicely to provide feel and confidence. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |