Author: Hailey Philander

“Oe, maar hy’s sexy!” she gushed, opening the door to the Hilux. She’d just secured the family sprog into his kiddy seat on the rear row. “Wat is dit?”

“Lyk soos ‘n Alfa," followed the response from her burly bakkie-driving spouse.

“Dis pragtig, né?”

He grunted a response, I smiled. She’d nailed it.

If there’s anything those Italians can do better than most, it is design good-looking automobiles. Giulietta’s dramatic shield grille and pert headlights are not unfamiliar – we’ve seen the arrangement on the Mito – but this car’s wider track definitely gives them more impact.

The pinched shoulder line draws attention away from Alfa’s signature “hidden” rear door handles that help to create a sporty, coupe-like profile. One of the Giulietta’s stand-out features is definitely those rear lights with their luscious diode “eye lashes”. Either way, Alfa rarely disappoints where its exterior designs are concerned.

BIG-BOTTOMED GIRL

The body styling is nothing short of a voluptuous fest celebrating big bums and generous pouts. J Lo should be proud, although these days you’re more likely to find her in a Fiat 500, but that’s a story for another day…

The cabin is no less captivating with sexy, padded seats, soft-touch surfaces, and piano black and metal accents for just the right mix of traditional elegance and contemporary charm. It’s nice and roomy for occupants up front although I thought the seats could be a mite softer. However, and this is not a new thing for Alfa cabins, I found getting comfortable particularly tough.

The coupe-like roofline may cramp the headroom of taller passengers seated at the back.

It seems the comfort requirement is for short arms and long legs – true for the one, not for the other – and the gearshift situated beneath my elbow made shifting somewhat arduous at times. Despite this degree of discomfort, shifts through the short-shifting six-speeder were solid and assured.

Giulietta comes with a choice of three turbocharged engines: two 1.4s and Alfa’s flagship 1750. Each is fitted with start/stop technology. I drove both the entry-level 88kW and the top 173kW with the baby, oddly enough, proving to be the most captivating. It’s punchy enough for town driving and a comfortable cruiser on the freeway. If you don’t  need the power at the top end, it could be ideal as a stylish, family shuttle.

The range-topping QV was definitely the more entertaining performer although there wasn’t too much about it to suggest “hot hatch”. It makes all the right sounds, has oodles of power when you need it and is quite willing when pushed into action, but it could probably do with a larger dose of that Latin passion for which Italians are known. For all its grandstanding, the Quadrifoglio Verde is remarkably understated, although its twin exhausts, cloverleaf wheel design (and matching decals) and lower ride height do help to tell it apart from its tamer siblings.

ALFA'S DNA

Each model also comes with the DNA system that allows the driver to set the car up for Dynamic, Normal or All-weather modes (up to 100km/h) at the flick of a switch. Very useful, the system automatically adjusts the throttle, gearshifting and steering parameters and alters the level of intervention by the VDC (vehicle dynamics control) programme to ensure handling and grip are on par with the driver’s intent and the road conditions. Normal’s good but the tighter Dynamic setting probably speaks loudest to enthusiasts.

The Giulietta rides on the Fiat family’s all-new Compact platform that, according to Fiat, offers the best in terms of comfort, interior space and handling.  

It uses a redesigned Macpherson strut front suspension and an all-new multilink rear suspension for mostly unflappable performance when the going gets hot. Giulietta’s really nicely balanced for a family hatch. It handles competently without demanding too much attention from its driver, but is still able to engage with on-point steering and a compliant ride. There’s no reason why this Italian stunner should feel inferior to its foremost German and American rivals.

Giulietta is safe, too, having scored five stars on its Euro NCAP test, it is fitted with six air bags, an anti-whiplash system, daytime lights and child-seat anchors . All models also come with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake pressure distribution, VDC, stability control and emergency braking assistance.

Sure, the cabin could be quieter, perhaps more refined (especially among such stiff competition) but this Alfa’s character is its trump card. This hatchback is all style and has the beauty contest won even before the swimsuit segment. It’s desirable, it has haracter and it’s almost too sexy for words. Whether its good looks and luscious curves will be enough to sway the hesitant will be a tough one but Alfa seems happy with the impact Giulietta’s had on its balance sheet.

As a bonus, the Giulietta is sold with a five-year or 150 000km warranty plus a six-year or 90 000km service plan (for the 1.4s with their 30 000km service intervals) or a six-year or 105 000km service plan for the QV.