The new Alfa Giulietta, renamed from the Alfa Milano, is not only a replacement to the Alfa 147, but also represents another chapter in the history of Alfa Romeo and its use of this name. The Alfa Giulietta was a much loved car after the second world war, first appearing in 1955 at the Turin motor show. The name comes from the Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, and was an early attempt at a strong brand image for Alfa.

The first Alfa Giulietta was a sporty family sedan, four metres long and with a spacious interior. It had a four cylinder, 1.3 litre engine with 50 hp, and the four speed transmission helped it reach a top speed of 136 km/hr. In 1957 the range had a new entry with the Giulietta TI, presented at the Monza circuit. Power was increased to 65 hp with a top speed of 155 km/hr, and it was used for mountain and endurance races.

In 1959 the Alfa Giulietta had its first restyling, and 91 special units were also built for the highway patrol police. The next Giulietta with family style body kit was a successful model, with more than 100,000 units produced by 1961. The third generation appeared soon after, and the special Giulietta TI version had a power increase to 74 hp and the top speed reached 160 km/hr.

Continue reading: Alfa Giulietta: an Italian story

As we wait for official photos of the new Alfa Giulietta (the name is still unconfirmed but it appears that Alfa Romeo will no longer use the “Milano” name previously chosen), whose debut was postponed at the last minute, you might think the excitement surrounding the new model would mean parent group Fiat was happy about Alfa Romeo fortunes. Things appear quite the opposite though, with Sergio Marchionne personally ordering a review of brand strategy and calling into question future investments already planned for new models.

Alfa Romeo is facing a full product freeze to arrest declining sales, or a revamp of its line using Chrysler-based models. While the new Alfa MiTo has been a fresh and successful models so far for the brand, it hasn’t been enough to plug the hole created by ageing models and delayed plans for new cars.

The new Alfa Milano, now Giulietta most likely, should have proved to be a key turning point for the brand but its debut was again delayed (we should see the official pics tomorrow). The new car will still be presented to the market and so far interest has been positive. It’s what happens after the MiTo and this 147 replacement that’s important.

Alfa is looking at no investments in new models after the Giulietta debut, making it and the MiTo the only new models in the range, as sales of the 159, Brera coupe, Spider and GT Coupe will continue. That would shelve plans for the new Alfa Giulia, or 159 replacement. The alternative is to use the new alliance with Chrysler to share platforms and build new sedan models. Whichever they choose, it appears that Marchionne is looking for a complete turn-around in the brand, and future Fiat Group investment will depend on it.

Source | Automotive News

Continue reading: New Alfa Giulietta amid brand strategy review ordered by Marchionne

These pics from Italy show what is believed to be an Alfa Milano test mule on the roads around Milan. The new Milano is still quite heavily camouflaged, but it should be in a final phase of development, given the planned 2010 Geneva debut for the new 149.

The new range of Alfa models is hotly anticipated after the success of the Alfa MiTo. Following it, first up the new Alfa Milano will appear, and then sometime in 2012 we should see the Alfa Giulia, which will also be heading for the US, and a substitute to the Alfa 169, seen in the 169 renderings of yesterday.

Continue reading: Alfa Milano spy shots: road test mule

We had reported that the Alfa Giulia was to appear in 2012, and now it looks positively destined for the US market. While the Fiat 500 is getting a Chrysler distribution and should be the flag bearer of Italian trendy style in that market, it seems the larger models from the Fiat portfolio are the ones considered for an American debut.

According to reports, the successful Alfa MiTo and yet-to-be-released Milano will not be going to the US due to their smaller size. It seems the MiTo and Milano will appear on the European market only at this stage. The MiTo has already been enjoying solid sales since its debut, though the fortunes of the Milano and Giulia are still unknown.

Source | Motorionline

Continue reading: Alfa Giulia in US in 2012, no MiTo or Milano for America

Alfa Romeo will officially present its new 149, the Alfa Milano at the Geneva show next year, while the market will have to wait until 2012 for the 159 substitute, the Alfa Giulia. The news comes in a La Stampa interview with Alfa managing director Sergio Cravero.

The MiTo seems to be gaining the sales success hoped for, despite reports of a production line MiTo closure and the redundancy of 700 workers. Alfa Romeo is not revealing its plans for its US re-launch, saying that the Multiair technology will be at the heart of the Fiat-Chrysler deal, but without yet stipulating which Alfa models will embark for the US.

Source | La Stampa

Continue reading: Alfa 159 Giulia substitute not till 2012

To continue our news on Italian cars today, we take another look at the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA concept. It has been seen all over the place in the last few days, and here are some videos of the snappy city car taken around the Valencia formula one city circuit.

In the photo above is also a beautiful little Giulia Sprint from times gone by. These videos come from the official MiTo GTA commercial being shot currently. See after the jump for the films.

Continue reading: Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA videos and a Giulia Sprint