One of the most stylish got just even better. The 2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta refreshed with new engines and more technological content than ever before.

Since its launch in 2010 in the UK, the Giulietta is the most eye-catching and attractive car and in its segment. All the styling revisions for 2014 have been carefully considered, with a new front grille design; revised front fog light bezels; new 16-, 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs and new exterior colours (Luna Pearl, Cobalto Blue and Metallo Bronze) to further enhance its appeal.

The interior of the Alfa Giulietta benefits from more extensive revisions: The standard Uconnect™ multimedia system takes pride of place in the redesigned, high-quality dashboard, with the associated USB/Aux ports now relocated to a more convenient position in the centre console.

Alfa-Romeo has trade marked their Uconnect system. Fitted as standard across the entire 2014 Alfa Giulietta range, it is operated via its five-inch colour touch screen or using voice commands and includes Bluetooth connectivity, wireless music streaming, hands-free SMS reading and DAB (digital radio). Alfa Giulietta models fitted with satellite navigation benefit from a larger 6.5-inch screen with 3D bird’s-eye maps, intelligent route guidance and a one-step destination entry function with voice command. Both systems have been developed in collaboration with first-class partners: Harman and Here Auto for Uconnect 6.5” and Continental for Uconnect 5”.

New door trim panels and a sporty new steering wheel design bring improved quality and more style to the cabin, while the redesigned seats not only exude Italian craftsmanship, they are also more comfortable and more enveloping – particularly in terms of upper-body lateral support – and are presented in a variety of new upholstery and leather finishes. Extensively revised sound insulation also provides a quieter and more relaxed driving environment.

Under the bonnet, every engine in the Alfa Giulietta range benefits from improved efficiency and lower emissions which doesn’t just make the Giulietta more environmentally friendly, it also results in lower fuel bills and reduced Benefit-in-Kind costs for company car drivers. The 1.4 TB MultiAir170hp TCT, for example, now drops into the 15% BIK band, while the diesel-powered 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp drops from the 17% BIK band down to the 15% band. The new 150hp 2.0 JTDM-2 engine, which debuts on the Giulietta, doesn’t just offer more power and torque compared to the previous 140hp 2.0 JTDM-2 engine, it also produces 9g/km less in terms of CO₂ emissions, dropping it into the 17% BIK band.

Regardless of engine choice, the Alfa Giulietta driver always has the option of customising their car’s driving character using the standard Alfa DNA driving selector, allowing them to find the ideal blend of comfort, performance, safety and efficiency for the prevailing conditions.

The new 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp

The heart of the new 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp engine is its third-generation Common Rail injection system that uses innovative injectors capable of controlling the amount of diesel injected into the combustion chamber with maximum precision and flexibility, thanks to its balanced hydraulic servo valve. Up to eight injections per stroke are possible together with injection strategies that optimise the combustion process. The Injection Rate Shaping (IRS) system, for example, involves two consecutive injections so close together in time it generates a continuous and modulated fuel supply into the cylinders. In this way the combustion process is improved with quieter operation with reduced particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and because the injection system has 40% fewer components it also offers greater simplicity and reliability.

Driving Dynamics

Built on Alfa Romeo’s most advanced architecture with a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, the 2014 Alfa Giulietta provides not only one of the most enjoyable driving experiences in its class, it’s also one of the safest cars on the road. In addition to VDC, six airbags, three-point seat belts with double pre-tensioner, an anti-whiplash system and a third load line for excellent passenger compartment protection, the Giulietta is also fitted with the Alfa DNA driving selector, electronic Q2 differential, DST (which prompts drivers to apply the correct steering input in the event of an emergency through impulses at the wheel) and a Pre-fill system which arms the brakes for emergency braking situations when it senses the drive may be losing control of the vehicle. As a further safety measure for 2014, a tyre pressure monitoring system is also now standard across the Alfa Romeo Giulietta range.

The 2014 UK Model Range

At launch, four trim levels will be available: Progression, Distinctive, Exclusive and Sportiva Nav.

Progression

Compared to the entry-level Turismo model it replaces, standard equipment on the new Progression model now includes new 16-inch alloy wheels; the Uconnect™ infotainment system with steering wheel remote controls; DAB (digital radio); Bluetooth^® connectivity; tyre pressure monitoring; rear electric windows and new seat fabrics with matching dashboard, door and central tunnel inserts. This equates to almost £1,700 worth of additional standard equipment for a modest £470 price increase compared to the outgoing Turismo.

Carryover standard features include the Alfa DNA driving selector, air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, VDC stability control and Alfa Romeo’s electronic Q2 differential. Two engines are offered with the Progression trim: The 1.4 TB 120hp turbo petrol and the 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp turbo diesel.

Distinctive

The new Distinctive trim level, which replaces Lusso, benefits from new 16-inch turbine-design alloy wheels and chrome-effect mirrors, while the interior is upgraded with new upholstery; new trim inserts and a cooled glove-box as part of its 2014 revisions. Combined with the DAB and TPMS upgrades, this equates to almost £700 worth of extra equipment for an additional £470. Standard Distinctive equipment, in addition to that already fitted to Progression, also includes rear parking sensors, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, front fog lights, chrome-effect window surrounds, sports dials, an alarm system, a height-adjustable passenger seat and a front armrest with storage. The Distinctive petrol range includes the 1.4 TB 120hp and 1.4 TB MultiAir 170hp engines while the diesel range includes the 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp turbo diesel and Alfa Romeo’s new 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp engine.

Exclusive

The new Exclusive trim level takes the place of Veloce for 2014 and benefits from new 17-inch alloy wheels and new leather and micro-fibre upholstery, plus rain-sensing wipers; automatic headlights; electric-folding door mirrors; dark tinted windows; an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror; a rear arm-rest and electric front-seat lumbar support. In total, close to £2,000 worth of additional features are now standard while the price increase is just £920. Exclusive models are also equipped with a sports suspension; sports leather steering wheel with red stitching; aluminium sports pedals and kick-plates; darkened headlight clusters; satin-effect mirror covers and side body skirts. The Exclusive engine range is comprised of the 1.4 TB MultiAir170hp (available as a six-speed manual or with the six-speed ALFA TCT transmission); the 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp and the new 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp.

Sportiva Nav

The new Sportiva Nav trim level benefits from the standard features of the outgoing Sportiva model – its sports suspension; 18-inch alloy wheels in a dark titanium finish; red Brembo brake callipers with uprated discs and unique badging – but is now fitted with a sports steering wheel with white stitching; leather and Alcantara upholstery; front parking sensors and, as the name suggests, a new 6.5-inch Uconnect™ satellite navigation system, with TMS, all as standard. The 2014 Sportiva Nav engine range is comprised of the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170hp (available as a manual or with the ALFA TCT transmission) and the new 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp engine, with prices increasing by just £810 despite more than £2,500 worth of additional equipment now being offered as standard.

More to Come

A range-topping 2.0 JTDM-2 175hp engine, now with TCT as standard, will be available in both Exclusive and Sportiva Nav trims in the coming months, while details of a new sporting flagship for the Giulietta range will be announced at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Pricing

Prices for the 2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta start at £18,235 for the 1.4 TB 120hp Progression, while the diesel range starts at £19,170 for the 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp Progression. Prices for Alfa Giulietta models powered by the new 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp engine start at £21,720 in Distinctive trim.

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