Alfa Romeo Giulietta bows in Geneva

Alfa Romeo's newest small car, the Giulietta, makes its debut at the 2010 Geneva motor show, resurrecting a classic nameplate for the Italian marque. With a range of new engines, more interior space and a high level of standard equipment, the new model will arrive on Australian shores late in 2010, marking Alfa Romeo's 100th birthday.

The new Giulietta is a vitally important model for the manufacturer and will replace the ageing Alfa Romeo 147 hatchback. Though Australian specifications haven't been announced yet, the locally-delivered Giulietta is likely to enjoy iconic status from the word 'go' -- bearing a highly regarded model name from Alfa's past, as it does.

Euro-spec Giuliettas are fitted with a long list of standard features including Alfa's D.N.A. system, which features a switchable chassis system with three modes (Dynamic, Normal and All Weather). Other standard features include stability control (vehicle dynamic control or VDC in Alfa-speak) six airbags, manual climate control, 16-inch wheels, electric front windows and a trip computer. All models were rated with the highest Euro-NCAP safety score possible -- five stars.

While a quartet of turbocharged diesel and petrol engines will be offered across the Alfa Romeo Giulietta range, it is perhaps the Quadrifoglio Verde model that best embodies the new name, developing an impressive 173kW/340Nm from its direct-injected turbo petrol engine. With this much power on tap, the range-topping Giulietta will rival the likes of the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart models. The Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde (pictured) also boasts an upgraded body kit, with deeper front and rear aprons, side skirts, 17-inch alloy wheels and a lower ride height. In addition to the 173kW high performance turbo petrol engine, four other powerplants will be offered in Europe: two turbodiesel and two turbo petrol units and all of them fitted with "Start&Stop" systems to improve fuel efficiency.

The entry level petrol engine is an 88kW 1.4-litre unit, followed by a 125kW 1.4-litre MultiAir engine. The diesel range kicks off with a 1.6-litre block outputting 77kW, followed by a larger 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 125kW. Alfa Romeo will offer six-speed manual transmissions as standard and dual-clutch automatic transmissions can be optioned with the upper echelon 125kW petrol and diesel powerplants.

Alfa Romeo's top brass has high hopes for the new-age Giulietta, believing it will go on to become the brand's best-selling model range to date, recording up to 100,000 sales annually. Offered only in a five-door guise (the MiTo will be Alfa's three-door campaigner), the Giulietta is the "perfect blend of sportiness and style" according to Alfa Romeo. The front end features a new take on the Italian company's triangular shield and like many VW and Audi models will feature LED daytime running lights.

The rear-brake lights are also LEDs and the overall styling at the rear "emphasises the feeling of a muscular car, decidedly gripped onto the road surface," states Alfa Romeo.

On top of its all-new design, the Italian hatchback is slightly larger than its predecessor, with a 4350mm length compared to the 147's 4223mm. It's also slightly wider and taller and has a longer 2630mm wheelbase, versus its predecessor with a 2546mm wheelbase. Boot space is 350 litres, up significantly on the 292 litres of the Alfa Romeo 147.

Sales for the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta will begin in Europe from May, and Australian deliveries are expected to commence by the end of 2010. Pricing has not been confirmed but the 147 range currently begins at around $37k (not including government or delivery charges).

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