This is a good effort by Alfa, and it needed to be. The brand sold only about 350 cars in South Africa last year and it's difficult to imagine how such low numbers can sustain Alfa's 18 dealerships.
Oscar Rivoli, the CEO of Fiat/Alfa South Africa, believes the new Giulietta could double that sales figure based on public and dealer interest the car's experienced in the run up to its official launch in South Africa this week.
The Giulietta is pitched straight into the premier C-segment hatchback market populated by the likes of the VW Golf, Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series and in terms of product credibility I believe this Alfa belongs there, as it's a solidly-built car with impressive engineering.
Whether the public is ready to place Alfa on the same pedestal as its abovementioned Teutonic rivals is another matter. Real or imagined, Alfa's perceived lack of reliability continues to cling to public perception like a stubborn thorn bush, but the local importer is proactively trying to change that image by offering all three Giulietta derivatives with an impressive five-year/150 000km warranty and six-year service plan.
Back to the car itself, I drove two of the three versions at the media launch yesterday with my favourite being the 125kW Multiair 1.4 TB Distinctive selling for R279 900. This middle model strikes a great balance between performance, price and fuel economy with its small but feisty turbo petrol engine. At sea level it feels impressively lively for such a small engine (you gotta love turbos), and displays a get-up-and-go-ness that will appeal to any boy racer - as will its official claimed figures of a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 218km/h.
Yet the combined city/freeway fuel consumption is rated at just 5.8 litres per 100km and the CO2 emissions only 134g/km thanks to the innovative Multiair technology, which satisfies both your green consciences (money and environment).
I was less impressed with the Giulietta flagship, the 173kW 1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde selling for R330 275. While it was a little brisker than the Multiair it just didn't feel like it had an extra 48kW under the bonnet and I fear that we may have another flatter-to-deceive car like the Mazda3 MPS on our hands.
Our Vbox will confirm the figures once we get the Giulietta for a full test, but I have a feeling the 173kW Giulietta won't outsprint a 155kW Golf GTi in a meaningful way (if at all). Its claimed figures are 242km/h, 6.8 seconds to 100km/h, and 7.6 litres per 100.
The six-speed manual transmission shared by both cars was pleasantly slick enough so that I didn't miss any gear changes during some high-spirited traverses of the Western Cape's twisty mountain passes, banging through the cogs.
Oh yes, and there is also an entry-level 1.4 TB Progression that's fitted with an 88kW version of the aforementioned 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. This version sells for R243 000.
The handling proved really sweet on both versions that I drove, and the Giulietta's a fleet-footed car that dances through twists in a way that will light up an enthusiast driver's day. In that way it lives up to Alfa's cuore sportivo promise.
Neither car developed any discernible torque steer and I could boot the throttle out of tight corners without having to fight the steering like a rodeo bull. Helped along by ABS brakes and traction assistance - with six airbags as backup - the Giulietta lets you conduct your canyon carving in relative safety.
When your adrenaline dial's set lower the Italian hatch makes a pleasantly easy-to-live-with commuter, with an acceptably comfortably ride, light controls, and good refinement. Wind and road noise are well suppressed and the build quality feels solid, with nary a rattle.
A height- and reach-adjustable steering and multi-adjustable seat ensure a perfect driving position is attainable for just about any physique, but adjusting the backrest's a mission as the seatbelt buckle gets in the way of the adjustment dial.
The back seat's a little more cramped than some class rivals, but overall the Giulietta delivers a compelling mixture of passion and practicality.
All versions of the Giulietta come well equipped, with climate control, Blue&Me connectivity, 6 airbags, stability control, hill holder, Start&Stop and full electric windows, among many other features fitted.