ALPHA DOG BITES WALLET
What a wonderful car this Alfa Giulia is, and what a shame about the price tag. By Thomas Falkiner
Alfa Romeo. A manufacturer that’s had more hits and misses than most. In proud Italian tradition, it maintains a beautiful inconsistency to the way it builds cars. Like Forrest Gump and his box of chocolates, you just never know what you’re gonna get.
The old 147 being a perfect case in point. It looked beautiful but was so disappointing to drive; especially if you had come from its 145 predecessor that was better in almost every conceivable way.
More recently there was the 4C that sported a carbon-fibre chassis and a body to die for. It held much promise and yet was flawed by questionable build quality, lifeless steering and ergonomics hostile to anybody taller than 5ft 10in. Not to mention the stupidly high price tag.
So I wasn’t holding high expectations for the all-new Giulia that launched locally a few months back. No, not the rabid QV model — that’s apparently bloody impressive — but the Plain Jane, everyday 2.0-litre Base that everyday people can actually go out and buy if they so wish.
LIGHT, CRISP AND NIMBLE
Well strike me down if it didn’t impress me right out of the blocks. And the first thing that raised my eyebrows was the driving position: unlike so many Alfa Romeo models of bygone days you no longer need the proportions of a continental orangutan to get comfortable at the helm. Normally I struggle to find an ideal setting but in the Giulia I was optimally perched behind the wheel in seconds.
With that out the way I was able to concentrate on the driving experience. Which is, courtesy of a brand-new chassis (there’s no stale legacyware here), equally on point.
You’ll immediately discover that this car has an appetite for curves.
It’s light and crisp and nimble and as sharp, if not sharper, than rivals from BMW or Audi or Mercedes. Grip is plentiful while that sculpted rump can be made to step out sideways thanks to Alfa finally returning to rear-wheel-drive.
What really stood out for me though was the steering. Damn it’s quick. So quick in fact that it took me a day or two to get used to it. Once I did I enjoyed the way you can initiate sharp changes of direction with minimal inputs.
RICH, CREAMY MID-RANGE
For all its handling poise, the Giulia also offers an excellent ride, probably because there is fat (by modern standards at least) 225/55 profile rubber wrapping the handsome 16-inch alloy wheels. This setup might not please the hellaflush brigade (Google that if you’re over 35) but for negotiating the garbage we call streets I found it most agreeable.
So what about the engine? Well the 2.0litre turbo might sound strangely diesel-like (especially at idle), and might not rev very high, but it does have a rich, creamy midrange that pushes you along at a fair old rate.
It transmits its power through the now ubiquitous ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox that offers smooth, seamless shifts both up and down the cogs.
A LITTLE TOO EXPENSIVE
Annoyingly there are no paddle shifters on the steering wheel — you have to pay extra for the privilege. As you do for a lot of other things: heated seats, an auto-dimming mirror, parking sensors, reverse camera, cruise control and keyless go.
Which leads me on to my one major criticism of the Giulia: it’s just a little too expensive for its own good.
It costs more than a BMW 320i. It costs more than an Audi A4 2.0TFSI. And how many South Africans do you think will cough up extra for the Alfa Romeo?
Taking into account the brand’s somewhat tarnished reputation, its limited dealer network, and the traditionally poor resale value of an Alfa, I doubt that a high percentage of our populace will be taking the chance and pulling the trigger.
Which is a shame because the Giulia 2.0-litre Base is a brilliant piece of work. In fact I think it’s the best car Alfa Romeo has built in decades: one that can finally bloody the grilles of its rivals.
If it wore a more competitive price tag and if we lived in a perfect world, it would be the one I would deplete my pay cheque on. No questions asked.