Jeremy Clarkson Forum

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At long last, Alfa Romeo's replacement for the 147 has arrived, and it is called the Giulietta. The name is news in itself, as the car has had a tortuous christening process: originally dubbed the 149 (or the 148, by some accounts) before becoming the Milano. However, this name was recently scrapped after complaints from workers in Alfa's Milan factory, who are unhappy at the company's decision to relocate to Turin. So Giulietta it is: a classic name harking back to the gorgeous coupe/saloon/convertible launched in 1954 (and, to a lesser extent, the somewhat less gorgeous saloon of the late 70s/early 80s). Can the Giulietta live up to its illustrious name? Well, we'll let you make your own minds up on the looks, but there's no doubting it's a striking thing, combining an even more extreme interpretation of Alfa's signature triangular grille with a wedgy profile and a decidedly funky rear end. We're guessing some of you won't be too keen, but it's certainly more… Italian that its obvious rivals: the Audi A3, VW Golf and BMW 1-Series. The Giulietta sits on an all-new platform and will feature Alfa's 'DNA' system – which adapts engine response, steering, stability control and the electronic diff depending on conditions – across the range. It'll be launched with four turbo engines, including a 170bhp iteration of Fiat's lovely new 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine and a 170bhp JTDM diesel.  After the Giulietta's introduction next year, we'll see a 235bhp 'Quadrifoglio Verde' hot hatch version. We are very much looking forward to that one. So… waddyathink? Is the Giulietta worthy of its classic name?

[pendlewitch]

As an Alfa Freak I am into anything Alfa Romeo. I belong to an Alfa Club in East Lancashire and we meet every month. I am rather petite and find the seat adjustment in Alfa's is brilliant - maybe as the Italians are not always tall of stature. I love the Alfa drive and would not have any other car, and somebody I know who is currently driving an Alfa says she has never had so much attention from men since she got this car, and she loves to drive it too. She did ask if this makes her a petrol-head like Jeremy as the family love Top Gear.
Currently our group has for sale a calendar with photos of cars owned by the members (and with the calendar in Italian just to get into the mood). We are selling the calendar to members and friends with a charity fund to help the North West Air Ambulance which depends totally on voluntary cash donations and really does a fantastic job. Please contact me if you would like to buy a calendar. I would like to present one to Jeremy in person but did not manage to get into the audience for the Top Gear programmes. We are happy to send a sample to the site if you can give me information to do that,
or see ebay item number 220525937843. thanks and a happy Christmas and New year