Giulietta to anchor Alfa in Geneva
2010-03-04 10:00
THE Giulietta is the undisputed hero on the Alfa Romeo stand at
this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
A five-door hatchback, but with Alfa Romeo’s unmistakable
architecture, the new Giulietta pays homage to the time-honoured history of the
marque while at the same time providing a new benchmark in the overcrowded and
highly competitive C segment.
This is thanks in part to the refined technical solutions employed
for the suspension, the dual pinion active steering, the fine materials used as
well as the manufacturing technologies implemented.
The model will go on sale progressively in all the markets from May
this year, but visitors to the show will be able to admire five different
models: two Quadrifoglio Verde versions fitted with the 173kW 1 750 TBi petrol
engine, two
Distinctive versions with the 125kW 2.0 JTDM diesel unit and a
Distinctive version fitted with the 125kW 1.4 MultiAir Turbo petrol engine.
The name of the new car is an obvious tribute to the mythical
Giulietta which, in the 50s, caught the imagination of
generations of car
enthusiasts, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo and enjoying the high
level of comfort and technical excellence, accessible for the first time.
Exact timing for right-hand drive production is still not known,
but expect the new Giulietta to reach SA shores by the forth quarter of this
year.
The spotlight will also be on the Alfa Romeo MiTo which will be
showing off two highly interesting novelties in Geneva: the “Alfa TCT” and the
“Blue&Me-TomTom”.
The first new feature is an automatic dual dry clutch transmission
which guarantees driving comfort and a sporty feeling well above those offered
by conventional automatic transmissions, but improved efficiency and lower
consumption levels.
O
n the Alfa Mito, the new device is combined with the
Start&Stop system in order to minimise consumption levels and CO2 emissions.
In addition, the technological qualities of the Alfa Romeo MiTo are
further enhanced by the second novelty to be presented namely the
“Blue&Me-TomTom”, the latest version of the Blue&Me system.
It is a fully integrated infotainment system with a practical
colour touch-screen which allows you to manage phone calls, satellite navigation
and all the driving information you need.
The device is the result of a partnership between Fiat Group
Automobiles and TomTom, the European leader in portable navigation systems, and
integrates with the other car’s systems thanks to the Blue&Me system
developed with Magneti Marelli.