ALFA ROMEO GIULIA OFFERS A PEEK INTO THE ITALIAN SOUL!

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com

The Germans, whether it is Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, have had a stronghold on the small luxury sport sedan market. Add the Japanese (Lexus) and Korean (Genesis) brands to the mix and the race becomes fierce. But amid the rivalry, potential car buyers often neglect one of the most thrilling rides with an Italian flair, the Alfa Romeo Giulia. And that is at their own peril!

The 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged Giulia cranks out 280 horsepower @ 5200 rpm and 306 pounds-feet of torque @ 4800 rpm, plentiful to cruise the highway or merge into peak-hour traffic. Zero to 60 is achieved in a mere 5.1 seconds with top speed of 149 mph in the rear-wheel-drive sedan. Coupled to an 8-speed auto gearbox, the Quadrifoglio-tuned double-wishbone front and an Alfa-link design rear suspension effectively eliminate sharp bumps on the road and reduce body roll. Providing a positive on-center response is the variable electric assist steering. Braking is handled skillfully by commanding 13-inch front and 12.5-inch rear Brembo vented rotors. The optional 19-inch sport aluminum wheels come shod with 225/40 up front and 255/35 at the rear. Toggle the “dna” button for dynamic, natural, advanced efficiency and race modes.

Our hats off to Alfa Romeo for the off-beat front styling – a massive V-Scudetto dark grille and large functional air intakes, skirted by triple adaptive matrix LED headlights. Glossy black LED tail lamps and Veloce-exclusive finned diffuser and dual dark exhaust tips grab attention. The red leather sports seats are fabulous! Further enhancing the lush cabin is a robust flat-bottomed Formula 1-inspired tilt steering wheel with rock-solid grasp. Also worth a mention is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with binocular hood to lend classiness. The 14-way power heated driver and 12-way front-passenger leather seats are not just plush but also comfy. Other perks include dual auto a/c, aluminum paddle shifters, heated rear seat, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 40/20/40 rear seat, and the 8.8-inch infotainment touch display, as well as a dual-pane sunroof.

Dual front and side airbags, front knee airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes with stability/traction control, blind spot and cross-path detection, forward-collision and lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rearview camera and front/rear park and hill start assist, limited slip differential, tire pressure monitor and daytime running lights are standard. We recommend the $700 Active Assist Plus package for lane keep, intelligent speed, highway and active blind spot assists, vehicle alarm, and driver attention alert.

With its distinct Italian looks, allure and touch, the Giulia touts a solid, nimble, luxury-packed and exciting ride. Plus, the splendid car brags vim and vigor that is absent in European contenders.

GIULIA (VELOCE)

Wheelbase: 111 inches

Length: 182.8 inches

Width: 73.2 inches      

Height: 56.5 inches

Weight: 3,522 pounds

Fuel capacity: 15.3 gallons

City: 23 mpg

Highway: 33 mpg

Base price: $44,520

Price as tested: $55,140

Web site: www.alfaromeo.com