2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta now with dual-clutch auto and diesel

By Tim Beissmann
February 20th, 2012

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Alfa Romeo Australia has bolstered its small-car range with the addition of an automatic transmission and a diesel engine to its Giulietta line-up.

Priced from $38,990 before on-road costs, the entry-level petrol model with the new six-speed dual-clutch gearbox is $2000 more expensive than the existing six-speed manual model. The new diesel with the same transmission is priced identically to the performance-oriented QV at $41,990.

The base model is powered by the 125kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged MultiAir petrol engine. Equipped with the dual-clutch transmission, which Alfa Romeo calls ‘TCT’, the self-shifting Giulietta is both faster and more efficient than the manual model, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds and using 5.2 litres of fuel per 100km.

As expected, the diesel model is the efficiency leader, but surprisingly gives little away to the petrol in terms of performance. The 2.0-litre JTDM-2 engine produces 125kW of power and 350Nm of torque, helping it complete the sprint in 7.9 seconds, while sipping 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.

The diesel and the 1.4-litre petrol models are equipped identically, with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and taillights, front and rear fog lights, rear parking sensors, auto headlights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth with voice control and a six-speaker audio system with USB port.

The Giulietta QV adds 18-inch alloys and other racy exterior appointments, along with a unique sports suspension tune, leather upholstery with red stitching, tinted windows and aluminium interior highlights, and an upgraded Bose stereo.

Alfa Romeo Australia says the new TCT variants should account for approximately 85 per cent of Giulietta sales, and expects sales of the premium small model to expand towards 3000 units in 2012. Last year, the Italian brand sold 526 manual Giuliettas in Australia, and delivered an additional 26 in January.

2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta manufacturer’s list prices (excluding government and dealer charges):

1.4 MultiAir six-speed manual – $36,990
1.4 MultiAir six-speed TCT – $38,990
JTDM-2 diesel six-speed TCT – $41,990
QV six-speed manual – $41,990

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gt86.com.au

They must find it so hard to compete with the VW Golf at that price point, especially with their percieved reliability issues. If they were 5k less, they might stand a fighting chance..
- Joe
  
  The Golf must find it hard to compete with the Guilietta as a car with it’s actual, and known reliability issues……..
  
  ……..stop listening to journalists who start every road test with old, outdated, stereotypes. They have not had any more issues than any other car for the last 15 years. Get over it, own one like I do, and then make judgment calls……
  - Phil
    
    SillySpeed transmissions?
- Xavier, Style Guru
  
  Spot on, I can’t see Alfa selling too many of these.
Chis_chappell

my sister has a 2005 147 and it has been a dog. reliability issues are still there.

You can help your resale Joe so don’t bother
- Xavier, Style Guru
  
  2 people that I know, one has a 147 another a last of the line 156… Both have had major and ongoing issues with their cars. Even though I think the Guilietta is a striking car, this pall of ownership problems, high prices and ATECO not warranting squeaks and rattles puts me off.
  
  If ALFA sold direct, offered a 5 year warranty and reduced prices they would do much better. This is a shame as the Gulietta is
Blair Waldorf.

A general rule of thumb with Fiat/Alfas (same thing) is to NEVER buy one built before 2007, and to service them correctly. I personally own a 2008 Punto Dualogic (Selespeed) which are known to be horribly unreliable, yet i’ve had 80,000km trouble free, my parents had a 2008 Ritmo and kept it to 120,000km – trouble free with one warranty claim and now they have a Giulietta QV and that’s been trouble free. I also have friends with a 159 and they’ve not had trouble.

The Alfa 156/147 were dogs, but the 159/Brera/Spider, Mito and Giulie are about as reliable as any other euro car, same with current Fiats – they just dont like it when a service is skipped. The Polish built Fiat 500s are also decently reliable.

I think the type of person who buys a Golf and the type of person who buys a Giulietta are different, the Giulietta has far more style, character and individuality, while the Golf is ultimately probably a better drive, but pretty boring looks wise.
- Xavier, Style Messiah
  
  I love the look of the Guiletta… Much nicer than a Golf. Putoff by high prices and reliability record.
Day Walker

$40k for a reasonably attractive car. Just don’t consider changing the stereo.
Not Mundane

You buy an Alfa because you fall in love with it.
You buy a Golf because everyone else tells you to.
We need more love in this world.
Nada

1, 2, 3… aawwww.
Robj

I am thinking of buying a Giulietta. Not even looking at Golf. I see too many &^%$ driving them. Who would buy an auto or diesel Alfa? I’m confused by that??
- Kosta2rica
  
  Gee I don’t know, maybe someone who’s driving in peak hour traffic for an hr each way 5 days a week???
Adrianomarcelo2010

The Alfa-romeo giullieta has everything to be the leader of Australia with this price and this quality.
Mr699

There is no denying that its a looker. There’s one parked outside my office…..belongs to the bloke in another office block. Damnn…..you have to see it to believe it !

Seeing it in the metal literally made my heart/pulse race. The pictures dont do it justice. See the actual thing and admire the proportions and stance. It also exudes quality. For me, prolly be an impulse buy ruled more by heart than mind. Sometimes, the heart just wins out !
Mr699

There is no denying that its a looker. There’s one parked outside my office…..belongs to the bloke in another office block. Damnn…..you have to see it to believe it !

Seeing it in the metal literally made my heart/pulse race. The pictures dont do it justice. See the actual thing and admire the proportions and stance. It also exudes quality. For me, prolly be an impulse buy ruled more by heart than mind. Sometimes, the heart just wins out !
Alfa dude

I’ve owned a diesel Giulietta for a month now. Absolute dream to drive, and it looks stunning in white. Fuel economy is good too, I managed to drive from Melbourne to Port Augusta (1055 km according to the trip meter) on one tank and still have fuel left over to drive in town. It looks way nicer than a Golf and I’ve not had any issues so far. The whole “ooh Alfas are unreliable” myth has been perpetuated by the media, sure they might have been 30 years ago, but its not the 70s anymore folks! I love love my Alfa..wouldn’t even think of owning anything else.
Sal

After owning an 81 Alfasud Ti for 13 years it never let me down apart from rust could not be fixed (I tried once, stripped to bare metal, repainted but rust came back). In 2003 I looked at the nice looking Alfa 147 when it was released but thought best to get a reliable Golf IV (MY03.5) GTi. The Golf after 10-12 Dealer visits in 2.5 years for VW Waranty issues and after it got towed away with engine problem, I got rid of the rattle box. How could the 147 have been any worse? Things have improved for both cars, especially quality control. New Golf’s for Aussie market are no longer from South Africa factory (from mid 2003 to 2009). So now I reckon Golf VI is much better built straight from Germany and I think the Giulietta will be very good too. It is time get another Alfa and it will be the Giulietta TCT (Multiair)
Sal

I heard that FIAT will soon take over Alfa and Fiat Distibution (from ATECO) in Australia. The new dealers will actually be Chrysler (which is mostly owned by Fiat).
DonR

I’ve owned a 156 Selespeed Sportwagon since Dec 2006, no reliability issues after 72000km. It still looks great, feels good to drive and carries a decent amount of stuff with the back seats down. If only people would stop running into it The Guilietta Diesel is looking like a good replacement when the 156 gets close to 100,000km, particularly when you see the number of Golfs and Golf GTIs on the road around Melbourne. At least the Alfa is something different.
Rajeev_dutt

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