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Even in the 21st century, vehicles from Alfa Romeo always have something to do with tradition. The car manufacturer from Turin has been offering the Giulia as a representative of the compact class for more than five decades. With the 2016 sedan, FCA Alfa Romeo expanded the compact portfolio to include the four-door, coupé, cabriolet and numerous special models. With the new Giulia, FCA combines filigree Italian automotive art and technology that is trendy. According to the company slogan "La Meccanica delle Emozioni", the series wants to present itself as the top dog in the segment, because even the digital helpers in the interior set new standards. With numerous driver assistance systems, the Giulia is supposed to make driving a car easier and more pleasant. The ambitions from northern Italy are self-confident and courageous, as Alfa Romeo comes up with a clear range of engines and drives. The Giulia Sedan 2.2 Diesel Super that we tested starts in the dealerships with a price of 37.600 euros.
Test report: Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2 Diesel Super
Italian with a strong performance
When our test car is delivered, we take a closer look at the Italian lady and immediately ask ourselves whether the Alfa Romeo Giulia should now be pushed into the C segment. According to its dimensions (just under 4.70 meters), it could also play in the middle class. In terms of equipment, comfort and driving pleasure, at least it has long since arrived there. The cautious cosmetic corrections required for a new edition should clearly set the compact apart from the uniformity of its competitors. The air inlets and the radiator grille have become larger, but they have retained the look of the Alfa family and allow the car to stand wide and emphatically on the road. The narrow headlights that house the LED daytime running lights end in a bead that extends across the entire vehicle. The Italian engineers ensure optimum weight distribution by arranging the motor and mechanical components between the axles. The body overhangs at the front and rear appear short and the bonnet and all fenders are long. The body carries more aluminum, owing to weight savings, which should clearly have an impact on fuel consumption.
Power diesel with a lot of torque
The turbo-charged 2.2 liter diesel with its 132 kW (180 PS) and the crisp six-speed manual transmission and automatic start-stop system consume modest 4,0 liters of fuel in the standard test. This corresponds to a carbon dioxide emission of 105 grams per kilometer with optimized wind slipperiness with an air resistance coefficient of: 0,25 Cw. During our test period, the unit always seemed agile and brought a well-proportioned 1.500 Newton meters to the crankshaft at 400 tours, which earned it a convincing smoothness. The sporty Turinese easily sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 7,2 seconds, the top speed is 230 km / h. During our journeys, the Giulia handles potholes and bumps with ease, looks very stable overall and offers comfortable handling. On the imaginary and very personal list of the most efficient test vehicles, this extremely sporty Alfa is certainly among the top ten. In the everyday flow of traffic, the consumption values specified by the manufacturer cannot quite be maintained. After all, you also want to be a little more committed. We need a decent 5,7 liters over the entire fourteen-day test (city, country and motorway traffic).
Alfa typical filigree workmanship
Despite its already mentioned generous dimensions and its wheelbase of 2,82 meters, the Giulia can be easily steered and maneuvered without great effort even through heavy city traffic. When it comes to the interior design, the filigree Italian workmanship of the fabric / synthetic leather seats, which offer firm lateral support, is striking. In addition, the rest of the interior, as always with Alfa Romeo, has a high-quality finish. Soft foamed plastic and leather surfaces with fine seams pass every haptic test. The cockpit is clearly designed and intuitive to use. The optionally available joint development by Alfa and Magneti Marelli, the entertainment and navigation system “Connect 3D Nav”, with its 8,8-inch screen (22,4 centimeters) serves as the control center. In addition to the navigation map and the image from the reversing camera, it also shows information on the area of the phone (including Mirrorlink for applications), radio and audio as required. The system is controlled using a rotary switch integrated in the center console, the so-called Rotary Pad. Right next to it sits the rotary switch for the Alfa driving dynamics controlTM DNA Pro. The system offers the usual levels of "Dynamic", "Natural" and "Advanced Efficiency". The setup of the vehicle can be adapted as required. A proper all-round view is always guaranteed if the seating is precisely adjusted. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the large door openings. Thanks to the wide tailgate opening, two suitcases can easily be pushed into the 480 liter trunk of the Giulia.
Assistance systems in the comfort and security area
The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan is already extensively equipped ex works. The first variant, called "Basis", has 16-inch alloy wheels and Alfa vehicle dynamics controlTM DNA Pro, start button in the steering wheel, cruise control system, rain sensor, rain brake assistant (RBA), traction control system (ASR), automatic activation of the hazard warning lights in emergency braking (AHW), active yaw control (AYC), cornering brake control (ESBS), hill start assist (HSA) , Trailer stability control (TSA), collision warning system (FCW) with autonomous emergency braking function (AEB) up to 65 km / h, lane departure warning system (LDW), driver and front passenger seats manually adjustable in 6 positions (length, inclination, height) and LED rear lights . The basic price of the diesel sedan is a proud 33.8100 euros. The extra charge of 4500 euros to the "Super" equipment we tested includes seat covers made of synthetic leather, 17-inch alloy wheels, a vehicle information center with an individually configurable 7-inch TFT color screen and rear parking sensors. The Turin-based carmaker only offers its package with Blind Spot Assist (BSM) with rear motion detection (RCPD), high beam assistant (AHB), interior and exterior mirrors automatically dimming, reversing camera with dynamic guide lines, via the corresponding special package, which in our case costs 1.000 euros to book.
And finally ... The Giulia sedan in conjunction with the 2.2 diesel (180 hp) traditionally not only offers great driving pleasure, it can also fully serve the everyday needs of a family and sets standards in terms of emotions.
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Alfa Romeo |
Giulia 2.2 Diesel Super |
| Motor | Diesel |
| Capacity | 2.143 ccm³ |
| Performance | 180 PS @ 3.750 RPM |
| kraft | 400 Nm @ 1.500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission |
| drive axle | front-wheel drive |
| Length Width Height | 4.643, 2.024, 1.436 mm |
| wheelbase | 2.820 mm |
| Empty weight | 1.475 kg |
| turning circle | 10,8m |
| top speed | 230 km/h |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 7,2 sec |
| standard consumption | 4.0 l / 100 km |
| everyday driver | 5.2 l / 100 km |
| Eco-expert | 4.5 l / 100 km |
| Field service mode | 5.7 l / 100km |