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

The new Alfa Giulietta has been released and first impressions from the world’s press are starting to come through. We’ve gathered some of those impressions in one place so we can check out just what the Giulietta promises and whether it might deliver.

As is the fate of many an Alfa Romeo, the focus is on style - how good does it look? I don’t know whether that means there’s nothing special to bother about under the bonnet, or whether the presence of the best Fiat technology is taken for granted. To be fair, the new Giulietta will get Fiat’s Multiair engines, Alfa DNA and dual-clutch transmission so it’s no slack on the technology front. And it will have between 120 and 170 hp, before the Quadrifoglio Verde version turns up with 230 hp.

So far, the new Giulietta is a very nice looking car. Yesterday I said I appreciated the sloping, elegant rear and overall there is plenty of classic Alfa sports style. It’s managed to keep its Alfa Romeo class without falling into mediocrity or appearing like just another, bigger 147. Given the brand image and style of Alfa, I also think it stands apart from other offerings in the Fiat Group range.

Continue reading: Alfa Giulietta first impressions: lining up the Giulietta competitors

Here are official pics of the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, with the name change from Milano confirmed, and launch date set for the 2010 Geneva motor show. It’s a sexy looking hatchback and the rear is definitely pleasing - shapely and elegant compare to the cute, cartoon-like Alfa MiTo.

If you want to read about the name change, see the press release after the jump. I must say, the Alfa Romeo marketing department has done a good job in attaching meaning to the last minute switch to Alfa Giulietta from Alfa Milano.

All the details are below, but the main details prove that the 147 replacement has been revised significantly. The Alfa Giulietta is bigger, at 4.35 metres long with a wheel base of 2.63 metres, and a sizeable boot at 350 litres. The Giulietta will have four turbo engine options available at launch with two petrol motors: 1.4 TB with 120 hp, and the 1.4 TB Multiair with 170 hp. The two diesel options available will be the 1.6 JTDM with 105 hp, and the 2.0 JTDM with 170 hp, both second generation options. At the top of the range is the 1750 TBi with 235 hp and Quadrifoglio Verde kit.

The new Alfa Giulietta will get its official world premiere at the Geneva show, ready for a spring release in Europe. It could prove an even more important model than the previous MiTo, competing with everything from the new Opel Astra to the Audi A3, depending on its pricing. Check out all the details after the jump.

Alfa Giulietta first official pics

Continue reading: Alfa Giulietta released: official pics and launch date for Geneva

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

Last minute controversy surrounds the Alfa Milano debut, scheduled for today, with the date being changed and a possible name change in the works. The controversy over the name arises from tension between Alfa Romeo and its Milanese workers, who have been laid off in factory closures in that city.

In what would be joyful news for Alfa Romeo fans, the Giulietta name could see a revival, although I suspect any name change at this late stage will be a costly process for Alfa. The Alfa Milano, replacement to the older Alfa 147, will still debut sometime before the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, where the car will also have its first general public appearance.

Continue reading: Alfa Milano debut postponed, possible name change

As the car world waits for the plan of the Fiat-Chrysler deal to be revealed, it looks as though a new Chrysler logo could be revealed. You might wonder why, if the brand is going to disappear from Europe, but it could be a show of faith from Fiat that Chrysler will get a revival in its own market of North America.

The new logo is quite sexy, definitely modern and hopefully marks the dawn of a new era for America’s beloved Chrysler. So far the Fiat-Chrysler plans have been sketchy and mostly include the arrival of the Fiat 500 or Abarth 500 on the US market, the appearance of the Alfa Giulia in the US, but perhaps not the Milano or MiTo, and the retaining of the Jeep brand on the European market. It looks as though Dodge will go niche, including an electric car in its line-up, and that we will see Lancia-badged Chryslers, particularly the new 300c already spied, in Europe. All will soon be revealed. Stay tuned.

Source | Autoblog

Continue reading: New Chrysler logo: Fiat to save Chrysler or not?

With talk of Fiat-Chrysler plans and the return of Alfa Romeo to the US with the new models Alfa MiTo, Alfa Milano and Alfa Giulia, here’s another rendering to keep our interest going. This design of a hypothetical Alfa Giulia shows a sporty, agressive front, while keeping the smooth lines of the sedan intact.

The Fiat group will first make its appearance on US shores with the Fiat 500, and it is expected to be every bit as successful as in Europe, having become an icon of Italian style. It will appear in 2011 and will be followed by the Alfa models later, with the Milano debuting next year in Europe, and the Giulia not until 2012.

Source | Alvolante.it

Continue reading: Alfa Romeo Giulia rendering

The guys at Quattroruote have been busy making these renderings of the new Alfa Milano, which after the factory spy shots, doesn’t leave much to the imagination. The Alfa Milano will be officially presented at the 2010 Geneva motor show, and may or may not make it to the US as part of the Fiat-Chrysler deal and Alfa US re-launch.

We can expect the Alfa Milano to be equipped with some impressive engine options, including Multiair technology to appear soon on the MiTo (not to mention a 1.7-litre engine with 230 hp). After the success of that hatch model, the Milano could prove to be even more significant for Alfa as it presents its new machine in a competitive sector of the market.

Source | Quattroruote

Continue reading: Alfa Milano renderings

After the launch of the new Fiat Punto Evo, the Abarth Grande Punto also gets an update. Housed in a new look Abarth Punto will be the 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir engine with 170 hp, soon to debut on the Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde (or Alfa MiTo clover leaf).

This would suggest that the future version of the Abarth Punto Evo EsseEsse could reach 200 hp, but it also indicates that we may soon see an Abarth with dual-clutch technology. The new Alfa MiTo will feature the new c635 six-speed transmision, built in Italy and having also dry dual-clutch technology. It will appear on the MiTo, future Alfa Milano and probably many other vehicles of the Fiat group. So fingers crossed that we will see an Abarth Grande Punto Evo with this technology - it would be car to test drive!

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: New Abarth Punto and Fiat dual-clutch technology

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

After leaked pics of the Alfa Milano from the factory, the new 149 turned up in this amusing situation, when the mule was stopped by German police during test driving in the precinct of the Nurburgring. Nothing controversial seems to have happened in these pics, and we wonder if the police officer was an Alfa fan who wanted a closer look.

The Alfa Milano should debut next year with new technologies from Fiat Powertrain, including the adoption of direct injection and turbocharged units. New engines that could appear will be the 1.4 T-Jet of about 150 hp and the 1.8 JTB with about 265 hp. More powerful versions will have rear wheel drive, called Q2, and transmission should be a six-speed manual, with automatic option as well.

Alfa fans are hoping for a Milano GTA model as well, equipped with the 1.8-litre engine of 240 hp which will soon appear on the MiTo GTA (maybe with a few extra horse power, too!). Diesel options include the 1.9 M-Jet, and possibly a larger version of 2.0-litres. The line-up is enticing, and regardless of whether the Milano will be going to the US or not, it’s set for success in the Europe.

Source | InfoMotori

Continue reading: Alfa Milano more engine details and test mule stopped by police

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