GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Revised Alfa Romeo Giulietta revealed

Alfa Romeo has revealed its refreshed Giulietta that it hopes will continue to steal sales from the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

Unveiled ahead of its launch at the Geneva motor show, the Italian hatch has been subjected to minimal exterior changes.

The biggest change is the air intake that sits beneath the trademark Alfa Romeo grille. Where once it was split in two, the mesh grille is now joined, to match the forthcoming Giulia sports sedan.

Alfa has also added new headlamps and taillights, plus two new colours – Alfa White and Lipari Grey. There are also new alloy wheel designs and revised tailpipes, and the Giulietta is said to be the first car in the Italian car-maker’s range to get Alfa Romeo’s redesigned badge.

Inside, the Giulietta features new upholsteries, better finishes and an improved version of Alfa’s UConnect infotainment system.

The updates see the infotainment system score new apps like Alfa Performance. This new app allows drivers to add additional digital gauges and instruments that help them “measure their car’s performance”.

Presumably, this means 0-100km/h times, or how quickly they can lap their favourite circuit. Once the driving is finished owners can then download all their driving stats on their smartphone; the app itself can then offer real-time driving tips to help you improve your driving.

Under the bonnet is where you’ll find the biggest change.

There’s now the option of a new 88kW/320Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-pot engine that can come paired with a new dual-clutch automatic box (DCT).

The combination of new small diesel and DCT is an efficient one; Alfa claims the small 1.6-litre can average just 3.8L/100km while emitting just 99g/km of CO2.

Against the clock the little diesel can hit 100km/h in 10.2 seconds and reach 195km/h.

In Europe the range is simplified to five trims – Giulietta, Giulietta Super, Giulietta Tecnica, Giulietta Speciale and Giulietta Veloce – the old Quadrifoglio Verde is dropped but, rumour is, could return later on a Ford Focus RS-rivalling Giulietta badged ‘QV’.

Standard equipment is also enhanced; all cars get the updated UConnect system, a leather steering wheel, Bluetooth hands-free calling, the Q2 ‘e-diff’ that uses the brakes to mimic a limited-slip differential and 16-inch alloy wheels.

What is missing from the updates is new safety equipment like collision warning and autonomous emergency braking – those are now expected to arrive on the next-generation Giulietta that’s still more than three years away.

On sale in Europe from the beginning of April, in the UK prices remain the same for the updated car. It’s not known when we’ll be getting the updated Giulietta.