Alfa Romeo at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show
05/03/2012
A winding dynamic road, for experiencing the emotion that only Alfa Romeo cars can offer, thanks to their agility, power and safety. This is the stand that the Brand is presenting at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show.
Two examples of the Giulietta Exclusive, a 2.0 JTDM and a 1.4 TB MultiAir, both 170 HP, are first in line to steal this evocative scene. Both feature the exclusive Alfa TCT, a transmission which operates either in completely automatic or sequential mode. The Giulietta MultiAir with Alfa TCT, in particular, is the most eco-friendly petrol compact in its category. It can boast extremely limited consumption and emissions (5.2 l/100km in the combined cycle and 121 g/km CO2 emission) while refusing to compromise on performance, worthy of the best Alfa Romeos: top speed of 218 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 in 7.7 seconds.
Recorded values also head up the category in combination with the diesel 2.0 JTDM 170 HP engine: compared to the same version with manual gearbox, acceleration from 0 to 100 takes 7.9 rather than 8.0 seconds, consumption (combined cycle) drops from 4.7 l/100km to 4.5, and CO2 emissions from 124 g/km to 119, impressive results for an engine in this category.
The spotlights are also trained on the model’s flagship: the 235 HP 1750 TBi in combination with the exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde trim level. A car which ensures a specific torque of 195 Nm/litre (the highest of the petrol cars in the category) and, as a crowning achievement, a maximum torque of 340 Nm delivered at just 1,900 rpm. A 120 HP Giulietta Distinctive 1.4 Turbo completes the exhibition.
Together with the four examples of the Giulietta, the public can admire three Alfa Romeo MiTos: in addition to the new 85 HP 0.9 Turbo TwinAir in the Distinctive trim level and the 135 HP 1.4 MultiAir with Alfa TCT twin clutch automatic transmission, the powerful 170 HP "Quadrifoglio Verde" 1.4 MultiAir Turbo, revamped with original and distinctive style elements, in addition to content which is particularly attractive in terms of comfort. It offers the innovative “Alfa Active Suspension”, a system that actively and continuously controls the electronic shock absorbers, the fruit of work by Alfa Romeo designers in conjunction with road testing, allowing the car to excel even further in terms of agility and handling, lending it exceptional driveability and unparalleled safety.
Finally, visitors will be introduced to the products of FGA Capital, a finance company specialising in the automotive sector, through illustrative materials and dedicated media at the stand.
A successful year, thanks to the Giulietta
05/03/2012
2.8% in Europe and 14.5% in Italy: these are the record-breaking shares of the Giulietta. In absolute terms this means that in 2011 alone approximately 80,000 cars were registered in Europe, of which 45% were in Italy (35,000). The foreign markets in which the Giulietta achieved the best results are France (more than 9,200 cars), the UK (more than 7,100 cars) and Germany (more than 6,300 cars), and since the launch, midway through 2010, Giuliettas ordered worldwide total almost 140,000.
The best-selling trim levels were the top-of-the-range, the "Distinctive" and "Exclusive", which depict roughly 90% of the total. Also as far as engine versions are concerned, the lion’s share is taken by the most powerful: for example, the 1.4 MultiAir 170 HP represents 15% of the sales mix, about seven times the average for the segment in this power bracket. The best-selling engine version overall, however, is the 1.6 MultiJet 105 HP, achieving 35% of total sales.
As for the colours, the top-seller is ghiaccio white (that of the advertising campaign) on 35% of the cars, whilst the reds - an indispensable part of the Alfa range - represent about 16% of the total. Speaking of red, the sport packs in the range have had a warm reception; of the customers who choose the Distinctive/Exclusive trim levels, almost half personalise their Giulietta with their own sporting touch.
The public that the Giulietta has won over is extensive and varied. The majority are customers aged 40 on the average with a medium/high-level education. Women make up 20% of the customer base (in line with the market), while families represent no less than half of purchasers, against the trend compared to the segment average which is one-fifth.
Its considerable success hinges on simple considerations. The Giulietta kept the promises she made at launch: handling and driving pleasure, quality and limited running costs, comfort and passenger room, and active and passive safety. The Giulietta has assumed a place in the tradition of the best Alfa Romeos, drawing on its heritage of dynamic performance, without compromising on efficiency and convenience in everyday use.
The secret behind this performance is drawn from continuous technological research, which finds its utmost expression in the Giulietta. One of many examples is the Alfa TCT automatic transmission, thanks to which the car achieves an excellent performance to fuel consumption ratio for the segment.
New proof of the build quality of the Giulietta is also found in the service coupons. Compared to the competition, the Giulietta is the car that has to be serviced the fewest number of times during the first three years of life or at 90,000 km. All this demonstrates the efficiency and low running costs which led to the success of the car not only among individuals but also in fleets, where the Giulietta is Italy’s best-selling car and is making it’s way into the corporate policies of Europe’s biggest companies.
Certainly one indication of the Giulietta’s superior quality is the maintenance of its value over time Nevertheless, the crucial test above all lies in customer satisfaction: 98% say that they are satisfied and almost all (90%) recommend the car, 15 points above the overall market average for models at launch.
Two new engines for the Giulietta
06/03/2012
The Giulietta broke records throughout 2011, gaining the highest share ever achieved by an Alfa Romeo in the compact segment. And 2012 begins with important developments: this model range expands with two new engines, the 120 HP 1.4 LPG Turbo with dual fuel (LPG and petrol) and the 105 HP Turbo Petrol with Start&Stop as standard.
Available with three trim levels (Giulietta, Progression and Distinctive) for all European markets, the new LPG power unit is a thrilling mix of power and technology in line with the Brand’s values, since it is able to unite high-level performance with respect for the environment and low running costs.
Designed, produced and guaranteed by Alfa Romeo, the Giulietta LPG - with a maximum power of 120 HP (88 kW) at 5,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 206 Nm (21 kgm) at 1,750 rpm - reaches a top speed of 195 km/h and accelerates from 0-100 in 10.3 seconds.
On this version too, the ALFA DNA driving selector comes as standard, allowing the car’s personality to be adapted to the needs of the driver and different road conditions: Dynamic for those seeking a sporty drive, Natural for driving with maximum efficiency and All Weather to improve grip in adverse weather conditions.
As mentioned beforehand, the second development in the 2012 Giulietta range is the introduction of the 105 HP 1.4 Turbo Petrol power unit for the Giulietta and Progression trim levels. Balance and temperament are the characteristics of this engine, which assumes a central position in the segment and represents one of the best choices.
Leading its category in terms of power (105 HP at 5,000 rpm) and torque (206 Nm at 1750 rpm), this power unit ensures full involvement at the wheel, making the Giulietta an undisputed star in urban traffic.
Chrysler to distribute Fiat and Alfa Romeo in Australia
03/04/2012
From 1st May, 2012 Chrysler Australia group will act as the distributor for Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands in Australia.
Under the new agreement, the current Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealer group, which numbers 17 passenger dealerships with 22 commercial vehicle outlets across the country, will report into the Melbourne-based Chrysler Australia group.
Sales for the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands during 2011 were recorded by Vendor Field Analytical and Characterization Technologies System (VFACTS) at 2,635 vehicles.
Models offered on the Australian market include the Alfa Romeo 159, the 159 Sportwagon and the Giulietta. Fiat models include the Fiat 500, the Fiat 500 Abarth, and Fiat Professional brands Ducato and Scudo.
The Chrysler Australia group of companies, which currently manages the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands in the Australian market, has seen a remarkable surge in sales in the past twelve months. Calendar year 2011 saw the American marque increase combined sales by 27.5%, and 2012 January and February sales are up 78% on the same period last year.
The transfer of distributorship of the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands to the Chrysler Australia group has occurred on the back of the global strategic alliance formed between the Fiat S.p.A. in Italy and the Chrysler Group in the United States in 2009.
Imola, second leg of the Superbike
05/04/2012
Checa outpaced Englishman Tom Sykes of the Kawasaki team in both race one and race two to win with a clean margin. More importantly, he beat his rival for the title, Aprilia rider Max Biaggi, who finished fourth.
"It was another incredible day that I will never forget", commented the Spanish rider. "Sykes was going at a very quick pace at the beginning of the first race, but I stayed close to him and when I noticed that he was starting to have difficulty in a few points of the circuit, I seized the opportunity to pass him. In the end I was able to increase the gap, so much so that I was rather confident during the last stage." Carlos Checa, “El Toro”, now has a four-point lead over Max Biaggi, whereas Marco Melandri (BMW) ranks tenth.
The next appointment is 22 April in Assen (Netherlands).
1962–2012: the Giulia’s 50th anniversary
26/04/2012
This year, Alfa Romeo celebrates the 50th anniversary of the “Giulia”, a car which is particularly significant in the hundred-year history of the Milanese brand; it is a model that has successfully represented the technical and creative talent of Alfa Romeo during a time of exceptional growth for the company.
Style, technical content, performance levels, reliability and innovation are just some of the features which made the “Giulia” a worldwide success: with a million models sold between 1962 and 1977, in all its bodywork variants and engine versions, the “Giulia” achieved global distribution and became part of the collective imagination, taking its place as one of Alfa Romeo’s iconic cars.
The very same team who contributed to the phenomenon of the Giulia came up with the official logo for the 50th anniversary of the “Giulia TI”, which was presented on 27 June 1962 at the Monza racetrack, a venue which saw the official return of Alfa Romeo to competitions three years later, with the “Giulia Sprint GTA”, another extraordinary car from the Giulia range.
The logo originates from a very famous advertisement, the slogan of which, “designed by the wind”, underscores the aerodynamic quality of the Giulia saloon, which had a cX of 0.34 – still an impressive value today – also resulting from its “revolutionary” and highly personal design, which has always differentiated the sporty Milanese saloon amid the competition.
Alfa Romeo clubs, enthusiasts and automotive fans will be paying tribute to the Giulia all over the world, culminating on 24 June in Balocco, on the test track conceived and developed over the same period as the Giulia.
