Alfa to wheel out new diesel in Paris

Alfa Romeo will wheel out a new JTDM-2 2.0-litre diesel engine at this year's Paris motor show.

The new Euro 5-compliant diesel produces 104kW along with 350Nm of torque. CO2 emissions are quoted at 119g/km, while the combined fuel consumption figure is an impressive 4.5L/100km.

As well, there's also the new dry twin-clutch auto transmission that originally debuted in the Alfa Romeo Mito and has now spread to the Giulietta range. The new auto brings Alfa into line with most others in the industry after many years dealing with the clunky Selespeed, which was an early interpretation of the automated manual gearbox (To Alfa's credit, it could probably lay claim to being something of an early adopter in that context).

The TCT twin clutch transmission will initially be combined with a 127kW 1.4-litre MultiAir engine, while a 127kW 2.0-litre diesel version will also follow some time later. Similarly to the Mito, the TCT transmission also comes with Alfa's Start&Stop system, which helps with the impressive emissions and fuel economy figures.

The Alfa stand will additionally feature Giuliettas (pictured) in both mean and green configurations: The former is the Quadrifoglio Verde version with a 175kW 1750 TBi engine, and the latter is the 78kW/320Nm "Distinctive" with a 1.6-litre JTDM engine and enviable emission and economy figures (on the urban cycle it records 3.7L/100km -- the Alfa release doesn't provide the combined figure).

The Quadrifoglio Verde drops ride height by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear, and is fitted with 17-inch alloys (18s are optional) and upgraded braking. Alfa says the Quadrifoglio Verde interior, with leather/microfiber trim, is "unique".

Two MiTo variants will be on the Alfa stand, displaying upgraded interior trim and 101kW1.4-litre MultiAir petrol or 71kW 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel engines. The latter returns a combined consumption figure of 4.0L/100km and low CO2 emissions of 104g/km. It's not all that quick though: reaching 100km/h from a standstill takes 11.6 seconds.

Also on the Alfa stand will be the MY2011 159, in sedan and wagon form, with revised interiors and the availability of the new JTDM-2 turbodiesel. (The new JTDM-2 diesel is actually quoted with three slightly different power figures in the Alfa press release -- 140bhp, 136bhp and 135bhp. In kilowatts this translates to 104kW and a rounded-off 101kW).

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