Alfa Romeo 4C Meets 33 Stradale

Alfa Romeo is known for producing distinctive and exotic-looking cars. You may know the 8C coupe or even the recent Spider concept. So it's a bit surprising to learn that when the production version of the Alfa 4C arrives in 2013, it will be only the second street-legal, midengined car ever built by the Italian manufacturer.


The other is the iconic 1967 Alfa 33 Stradale (the road-going version of the Tipo 33 racecar), a car so exclusive and rare that it makes the Ferrari 250 SWB (160 units built) seem positively mass-produced. Getting your hands on a 33, or T33 as it's often called, requires some serious due diligence along with about $2.5-3 million in cash.


By that ridiculous frame of reference, the Alfa Romeo 4C looks like the bargain of the century, as Alfa is claiming it will cost only $55,000-$62,000. We have our doubts, though, as the 4C shown at the Geneva Auto Show employed a carbon-fiber-intensive structure similar to the KTM X-Bow, and even with an off-the-shelf Fiat engine and transmission, it promises to be an expensive project.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Review

While Italian marques have often suffered poor fit and finish, you, could never fault them when it comes to styling flair and attention to design detail.

The latest incarnation of Alfa Romeo’s Gillette looks at first glance Iike a classic sleek, low and lean sports coupé but take a closer look and you’ll notice the cleverly concealed rear door handles, which open to reveal a spacious and well-appointed five-seater hatchback interior that offers high levels of comfort, along with class-leading safety levels – and it is commendably well-made.

Back in the 1950s, it was the original Giulietta that lifted Alfa from the ranks of specialist sports car makers and introduced the brand into the mass market. There have been lots of changes since those days and Alfa Romeo has for a long time being pat of the massive Fiat corporation but, despite a few duds along the way, the brand has always managed to cling on to its soul.

Available in Turismo, Lusso, Veloce or top of the range Cloverleaf trim levels, the Giulietta offers a choice of three diesels, including the award-winning 1.4 TB Multi Air and the potent Cloverleaf 1.7 TBi 235 bhp engine. There are also three petrol offerings – a 1.6 and a choice of two 2.0 litre units, one developing 140 bhp, the other 170.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta MultiAir Road test

Giulietta showcases clever new MultiAir "downsized" engine technology - a direct injection turbocharged 1368cc petrol engine with sophisticated variable valve timing and lift functions. From 1.4-litres, it develops a lively 125kW at 5500rpm and has 250Nm of torque easily accessible at 2500rpm to match the output of 2.0-litre and slightly bigger naturally aspirated engines.


For the meantime, there is no automatic transmission available. A dual clutch TCT option for the Giulietta hasn't reached New Zealand yet, leaving a six-speed manual as the sole choice. For the Kiwi market where two-pedal cars play the dominant role that will limit the sales potential of the Giulietta but it does suit the punchy little turbo engine.


Even in Dynamic mode, the powertrain requires something of a reset of Alfa expectations. It's not a four-cylinder with lumpy cams and cackly exhaust or a buzzy boxer-four like the old Alfa 33 that is one of Giulietta's predecessors.


The performance comes in a more muscular style with turbo boosted torque playing a bigger role than revs. It's quite a different style of Alfa performance to have the gearshift indicator light suggesting that sixth gear and 1200rpm is an appropriate choice for cruising at about 55km/h.

But such are the combined marvels of direct injection, turbocharging and variable intake systems that it will do that without the Giulietta feeling laboured.