Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
A sweetened line-up sees Alfa Romeo’s hot hatch, the Giulietta, gain updates to both style and substance – and name changes across the board.

The base offering is the Super, followed by the mid-spec Super TCT and the hottest Guilietta Veloce, which was previously known as the Guilietta Quadrifoglio Verde (or QV).

For a short while it may well take the focus off the much anticipated Giulia, due in Australia in February 2017.

With a starting price of $29,900 (plus ORCs), the Giulietta represents an affordable Italian hot hatch.

The Giulietta Veloce is a hefty step-up, priced at $41,900, pitching itself against some heavy-hitting Euro rivals like the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Kit at this level is generous and Veloce-spec only details add visual drama that see it out-style its more tame siblings – red callipers, twin exhaust pipes, bi-xenon headlamps, front and rear red pinstripe details and dark gloss exterior finishes.

The options fitted to our vehicle are limited to metallic paint ($500). Matte exterior paint will set you back $1900, as will a dual-pane sunroof.

Alfa’s three-year/150,000km warranty is backed by three year’s roadside assistance.

Powered by a 1.75 litre turbo-petrol engine, the Giulietta Veloce makes 177kW and 340Nm with all power to the front wheels.

Plant your foot for a heart-warming engine note. Moving with great purpose, it has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.0sec. That’s faster than a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

While the Alfa’s six-speed dual-clutch transmission may not be as slick as the Golf’s, it more than makes up for in personality. The ride is predictably firm (maybe too firm for some) and there’s a great sense of connection at the wheel – but it’s not for the faint hearted. You need a level of driving commitment to really enjoy this vehicle – otherwise it’ll own you. And if you are that way inclined, you’ll be rewarded with an energetic and involved drive that’s a whole lot of fun.

When is it available in Australia?
You can get your hands on the three-model Giulietta range right now.

Who will it appeal to?
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce is likely to appeal to people looking for a departure from the conservative Euros and homogeneous also-rans.

Italians know how to style for impact, and there’s a level of engagement behind the wheel of the Giulietta Veloce that you’ll struggle to replicate.

With it’s tight dimensions, poor visibility and less than ideal ergonomics, it’s not perfect, but it draws emotion in spades – the stuff that enthusiasts thrive on. You’ll easily fit kids in the back, while adults may find it a little tight.

The 350-litre boot capacity is acceptable rather than class-leading in this segment.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta technically sits in the Small car under $40k segment, where the likes of the Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla live. But the Veloce tips the scale ever so slightly.

In this way it lines up with equally charismatic rivals, like the Peugeot 308 GT, Renault Megane GT and previously mentioned Golf GTI.

It’s a versatile hot hatch that brings a bit of fun to every day driving, but these days that’s not unique.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce is worthy of the hot hatch moniker, delivering a thrilling drive with plenty of Italian charm – and priced at $41,900, the value for money equation is solid.

It’s a tad raw, and you might say less conventional than the aforementioned rivals, perhaps the very reason you may just fall in love with the Giulietta Veloce.

My heart says yes, but my head thinks no… there’s better value elsewhere.

Price: $41,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 1.75-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 177kW/340Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR Combined)

CO2: 157g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Peugeot 308 GT (from $41,990 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Megane GT (from $38,490 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Golf GTI (from $41,340 plus ORCs)