Early start for Alfa Giulietta diesel and TCT

Ateco Automotive, the local distributor for Alfa Romeo, has announced the official retail launch of two new variants joining the Giulietta small car range — as much as six months ahead of schedule.

The distributor expects the two new variants — self-shifting TCT-equipped models and a diesel-powered variant — to account for the major component of the Giulietta's local sales in Australia. Running dry-plate clutches, the TCT (Twin Clutch Transmission) provides the distributor with a self-shifting option for buyers of the Guilietta with either the existing 1.4-litre TB MultiAir petrol four-cylinder or the new 2.0-litre turbodiesel four.

“The new versions of the Giulietta will take over the majority of sales in Australia for Giulietta,” says Andre Zaitzev, General Manager of Alfa Romeo in Australia, as quoted in a press release.

“In a market dominated by self shifting gearboxes, the fact that we can now offer one of the most advanced units on the market that offers all the advantages of a self shifting gearbox with none of the performance or fuel consumption drawbacks is a very significant change to our market position. For the growing diesel sector we are now also able to offer one of the most advanced diesel power units in the world.

“What remains unchanged though are the Alfa Romeo essentials, the stylish good looks of the Giulietta, the accomplished chassis and, with a 0-100 kmh time of 7.7 seconds for the petrol TCT and 7.9 seconds for the JDTM Turbo Diesel, clearly both new Giuliettas maintain the performance edge expected of every Alfa Romeo.”

Equipped with the TCT, which works on the same principles as Volkswagen's DSG transmissions, the Guilietta with the 125kW 1.4-litre engine will reach 100km/h from a standing start in 7.7 seconds and continue to a top speed of 218km/h. Fuel consumption for this variant, in combined-cycle testing is 5.2L/100km and the CO2 emissions for the same test are rated at 121g/km.

Also developing 125kW of power, the new diesel coupled with the TC propels the Giulietta to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds, slightly faster than the same engine achieves with a manual transmission in other markets. The manual diesel won't be sold here, according to the press information from Ateco, since the distributor sees little local demand for such a vehicle.

JTDM-2 is the name coined by Alfa Romeo for the common-rail diesel powerplant, which is Euro 5-compliant and features variable vane geometry for the turbocharger. Peak torque of 350Nm arrives from as low as 1750rpm. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.5L/100km and the official CO2 emissions figure is 119g/km.

Alfa Romeo has also upgraded the 1750 TBi engine for the Giulietta; the larger of the two petrol engines now developing 173kW in lieu of the earlier engine's 147kW. Acceleration time to 100km/h with the new engine has fallen to 6.8 seconds and it will reach a maximum claimed speed of 242km/h. Fuel consumption is 7.6L/100km.

Standard features for all variants will include: Electric windows/heated mirrors, dual-zone climate control, electrochromatic mirror, fog lights, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, leather-bound steering wheel with remote controls, rain-sensing wipers/auto-on/off headlights and 'Blue&Me' infotainment system.

Safety features comprise six airbags (with multistage-deployment airbag each for driver and front passenger), active headrests, helping the Giulietta achieve a five-star rating in Euro NCAP, and a host of electronic driving safety aids.

Fitted with the TCT, the Giulietta 1.4 TB is priced at $38,990 — $2000 higher than the manual version — and the diesel with the TCT as standard, is priced at $41,990, the same price as the Giulietta QV with the 1750 TBi engine.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...