There are other car brands more familiar when it comes to safety ratings, but Alfa Romeo must be chuffed by the top gong given its new Giulietta model by the EuroNCAP organisation.
The Alfa 147 replacement, which has just gone on sale in Australia, has been named by EuroNCAP as the safest car in its category and the leading small car tested in 2010.
Scoring maximum points in side barrier tests, the 147 was found by EuroNCAP to be "stable in the front impact" while the head restraints offered "good protection against whiplash."
The Alfa also did well in terms of pedestrian protection, scoring maximum points in protection from bumper impacts, with the bonnet providing good protection in most areas "likely to be struck by the head of a child".
It also scored well in accident-avoiding technology with a EuroNCAP score of 86 per cent.
Ratings achieved by the Giulietta according to new judgment criteria introduced in 2009 were: 97 per cent Adult Occupant, 85 per cent Child Occupant, 63 per cent Pedestrian Protection and 86 per cent Safety Assist (accident avoidance).
With EuroNCAP testing getting more demanding over the four years from 2009 to 2012, Alfa Romeo says these scores ensure the Giulietta will remain with a five-star rating in 2012.
The Giulietta comes with six airbags, SAHR self-aligning front head restraints and multiple electronic safety aids including anti-lock brakes with EBD, HBA hydraulic brake assistance and a new "Pre-Fill function" for the brakes that sets the system up for emergency stopping.
The body of the Giulietta is designed not only to protect occupants from injury in just about every imaginable form of accident, but to also minimise damage caused to other vehicles.
In Australia, the Giulietta is available in 125kW and 173kW form, priced, pre on-road costs, at $36,990 and $41,990 respectively.
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