Alfa Romeo Giulia: a kick-start or a false-start?

So, Alfa Romeo has been reborn. Parent group FCA has decided that Alfa Romeo should be given a new lease of life. And this is the first of Alfa's new models, the Giulia, which should pave the way for seven new models in the next three years. It's a model that will square up to the Mercedes C class and the BMW 3 series in the executive salon sector. But this car will have to be quite something in order for it to out sell the well rounded C class or the 3 series. So let's have a look.

The Giulia, which will also yield a Quadrifoglio model with 503BHP to try and beat the M3 and C63, will have the longest wheelbase in its class, even longer than the C class. But despite this the Quadrifolglio model has had its engine developed by people with Ferrari knowledge, meaning that it is propelled from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, nearly half a second quicker than a manual M3. And, weighing in at 1500kg, it is 155 kg lighter than a C63. This lightness has been achieved through the use of aluminium and carbon fibre. And the long wheelbase means that the Giulia will hopefully be perfectly balanced and comfortable, as well as having a weight distribution of exactly 50:50 on all of the models available. And because of the wizardry of the steering, it will apparently not be far off the amazing steering of the Ferrari 458. The interior of the car will probably resemble a Ferrari-ish cabin, but Alfa haven't released a picture of it yet.

But the main purpose of this car will be to sell. According to the Alfa CEO the cars that the Giulia will rival have become too similar and replaceable. This car will feel decisively different to them, 'an extension of the drivers soul'. Alfa's past have always felt passionate to drive. But this one has the fate of the Make on its head as well.

Nev