Italian sporting car manufacturer, Alfa Romeo, is delighted to be the featured marque at this year’s prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex (2-4 July) as the company celebrates 100 years of proud motoring heritage.

As well as the Centenary celebrations, the 2010 Festival of Speed will mark the public debut of the hotly anticipated new Alfa Giulietta – a stylish 5-door hatchback that delivers sporty performance, design confidence and technology in the true spirit and tradition of the brand. 

In addition to the festival, Alfa Romeo will be previewing the Giulietta to a select audience at the first modern day Goodwood Moving Motor Show today (Thursday 1 July).

As would be expected, a long list of prized historic Alfas will feature at this year’s Festival, including the 1925 World Championship winning Alfa P2 Grand Prix race car which joins its modern counterpart, the Alfa 8C Competizione on the Centenary central sculpture which proudly celebrates Alfa Romeo – with design inspiration taken from the marque’s iconic Cloverleaf badge.

In all, it is expected that over 50 important Alfa Romeos will be at this year’s Festival, including 16 priceless examples which will make the pilgrimage from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese, Italy. Four of these, the 8C 2900 B Speciale tipo Le Mans 1938, Gran Premio Tipo B (P3) 1932, Gran Premio Tipo 159 ‘Alfetta’ 1951 and 155 DTM 1993 will be seen in action on the Goodwood Hillclimb course.

The Hillclimb is the Festival of Speed’s principal attraction. Taking place throughout the weekend, this challenging 1.16 mile course starts as a tree-lined run through the southern corner of the Goodwood Estate which then turns to sweep past the front of Goodwood House before climbing a steep and narrow Estate road bordered by flint walls and dense woodland groves towards Goodwood’s equine racecourse on top of the magnificent South Downs.

The course rises over 300ft from the start line to the finish, and is very technical and challenging, putting the skills of the world’s very best drivers to a stern test of concentration and speed.

The remaining 12 historic Alfa Romeo models will be ‘shared’ between the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance and the Cathedral Paddock, while the P2 Grand Prix racer features on the Centenary central sculpture. 

In the Supercar Paddock, Alfa’s latest supercar offering, the convertible 8C Spider, will be turning heads with its award-winning looks and distinctive V8 growl as it makes its way past the crowds, up the historic Goodwood Hill.

Appearing as part of the magnificent static display in the Cathedral Paddock will be historic delights such as the Alfa Gran Premio Tipo 512 1940, the car that never raced due to the advent of World War Two, and the 164 Pro-Car which features the world’s first ever 10 cylinder engine.

Alongside this exhibition of exceptional racing heritage, the 33 Stradale prototipo 1967 will grace the Cartier lawn, showing the crowds why Alfa Romeo design has been so highly revered through the decades.

Designed by Franco Scaglione, this 1967 prototype was the most expensive car of its time and considered to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

In Alfa Romeo’s customary stand-out red exhibition stand, the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulietta will make its UK public debut at Goodwood, taking pride of place alongside an Alfa 8C Spider which will also appear as a static model at this year’s Festival. 

Combining sportiness and elegance, the C-segment Alfa Giulietta is the result of Alfa Romeo’s new direction in style, but the name still holds an important place in Alfa Romeo’s enviable legacy, dating back to the 1950s.

The sporty, five-door compact goes on sale in the UK on 24 July from £16,995 OTR, packed with technology including Alfa’s DNA system, Start&Stop and the sporty Q2 electronic differential.

Located on the front lawn of Goodwood House, and designed to embody the spirit of Alfa Romeo, the Centenary central sculpture showcases two of the marque’s most important cars; the iconic 1925 World Championship winning Alfa P2 Grand Prix racer which led to the introduction of the laurel wreath around the original Alfa Romeo emblem, and the ultra-modern, award-winning, Alfa 8C Competizione super car.

Revered artist and designer of the Alfa Romeo Centenary central sculpture, Gerry Judah says: “With such a vast and rich heritage, trying to encapsulate all that is great about Alfa Romeo was no easy task. So many factors played a part in the creative process, from the beauty of the cars themselves which are often art forms in their own right, to the passion the marque shows and holds in so many hearts – I felt it was important that the sculpture complemented and expressed these messages.

“The perfect way of communicating this was to use two of Alfa’s most iconic cars – past and present – the P2 and the 8C Competizione – both legendary in their own right with the connection of the first and most recent Alfa Romeo to feature an Alfa eight-cylinder engine.

“Translating their connection and representing the best of all that is Alfa Romeo, there was no better symbol to take inspiration from than Alfa’s famous Cloverleaf badge, which has donned past, present and hopefully future high performance Alfa Romeos. The easiest part of this project was choosing a representative colour – which of course had to be Alfa Red.”

Goodwood Festival of Speed founder, Lord March added: “Alfa Romeo has one of the most enviable pedigrees of any motor manufacturer, and a history that has become legend. With this year’s Festival celebrating ‘The Passion for Speed’ there couldn’t be a more appropriate marque to celebrate this with. As an Alfista myself, the brand epitomises the beauty of motoring, and I’m honoured that we can help celebrate Alfa Romeo’s Centenary at this year’s Festival. And I look forward to a bright future for the marque through the debut of the new Alfa Giulietta.

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• ALFA GIULIETTA IN UK
• NEW ENGINES AND ADDED STYLE FOR BRERA AND SPIDER RANGE

In the 1950s the Alfa Giulietta caught the imagination of the driving public with its sporty appeal, attractive looks and accessible pricing. Now, over 50 years later, the Italian sporting car manufacturer is celebrating its centenary with an all-new namesake which goes on sale here on Saturday 24 July.

The latest incarnation of the Giulietta has been designed to beat the best in the mid-size C segment. That’s no easy task considering the excellence of the competition in a category that now contributes one out of every four new cars sold in Europe.

To take on this challenge Alfa Romeo has penned an all-new car that sits on an all-new Compact platform. This employs a combination of advanced engineering and sophisticated technical solutions to ensure the Giulietta can accommodate the needs of all customers in this category. The result is a model that combines impeccable safety credentials, Italian style, comfort and functionality with the dynamic qualities taken for granted in Alfa Romeos.

In addition, every customer can adapt the new car to their specific driving requirements thanks to Alfa Romeo’s D.N.A. selector. But this is just one of the electronic systems that the Compact platform was designed to integrate and exploit. Others, fitted as standard to every model in the range, include the Electronic Q2 differential and the VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) system.

A range of five new engines – three petrol and two diesel – all of which are turbocharged and Euro 5 emissions-compliant, gives the Giulietta further flexibility and makes it best in class for emissions, acceleration and fuel consumption. Even the smallest capacity, a 1.4-litre, has a lusty 120bhp. The new 1.4-litre TB MultiAir 170bhp offers the lowest emissions and fuel consumption in its class for petrol engines of this power rating.

The 105bhp JTDM-2 engine is a flexible and economical diesel that uses second-generation MultiJet technology to combine extremely low fuel consumption with a responsive drive. The 2.0-litre is another second-generation MultiJet diesel and has the highest performance in its sector courtesy of a hearty 350Nm of torque available at just 1750rpm. All these engines combine Start&Stop technology (excluding the 1750 TBi Cloverleaf version) and a gearshift indicator to enable drivers to achieve the best economy possible.

The most powerful engine in the range is Alfa Romeo’s new 1750 TBi petrol unit,  which offers the performance of a three-litre but has the fuel consumption of a 1.6 litre four cylinder, employing revolutionary technology to ensure strong acceleration at low engine speeds with minimal turbo lag.

But the Giulietta isn’t just about being fun to drive. Each model, from the entry-level Turismo specification to the range-topping Cloverleaf, has a very high level of standard equipment. Electric windows all-round along with manual air conditioning and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors are all standard. Move up to the Lusso model and you get dual zone automatic climate control, fog lights, leather steering wheel with audio controls and the Blue&Me™ hands-free infotainment system.

Both these cars come with the ‘comfort’ chassis specification. For a sportier drive the Veloce model features sports suspension, whilst the Cloverleaf sits on suspension that’s been lowered by 10mm for a more involving drive and a racier appearance. The Veloce also gets darkened headlights, fog lights, plus aluminium kick plates and pedals. The Cloverleaf model gets all this plus dark tinted windows, sporty red brake callipers, Visibility Pack, and 18” spoke design alloy wheels with a dark titanium finish.

Whichever the model, owners will get one of the safest cars on the road.

The new Alfa Giulietta was recently awarded a Euro NCAP five-star crash safety rating and an overall score of 87/100: an impressive result that makes it the safest compact car built to date.

The rating is even more significant considering that since 2009, Euro NCAP has adopted new judgement criteria composed of four areas of accident assessment, namely Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian Protection and a new area: Safety Assist. Injury avoidance and mitigation functions, such as seat belt reminder, ESP and speed limiter, are also rated. Achieving a five-star rating will become increasingly tough year by year (2009, 2010-2011, 2012). In this scenario, the rating achieved by the Alfa Giulietta (97% Adult Occupant, 85% Child Occupant, 63% Pedestrian Protection and 86%Safety Assist) means that the car will also have a five-star rating in 2012 when the assessment system will have reached maximum severity.

This major accolade yet again confirms Alfa Romeo’s special commitment to all aspects relating to the protection of all road users. The Alfa Giulietta was designed and built to obtain maximum passive and active safety performance. Evidence of this, for instance, is provided by the adoption of the most advanced electronic dynamic control systems (for braking and traction): the Vehicle Dynamic Control system which manages key functions like Hill Holder, traction control and emergency braking; the MSR system which prevents wheel locking when the throttle is released; the DST (Dynamic Steering Torque) system; Electronic Q2 which electronically simulates the presence of a self-locking differential, and the brand-new Pre-Fill system, which alerts the braking system that the accelerator pedal has been released, to decrease intervention time and consequently braking distance.

Thousands of hours of virtual simulations have gone into the creation of the new Compact platform, which is making its debut in the Giulietta. The quality of virtual design has been materially confirmed  by running 200 tests on components and subsystems, some 150 Hyge slide shock test simulations and more than 80 crash tests (frontal impact, side impact, roll-over and shunting, taking various speeds, different types of obstacles and the need to protect occupants, physically very different from one another, into account). These numbers confirm Alfa Romeo’s profound commitment to making the new Giulietta one of the safest cars in Europe by ensuring that it contains the most advanced safety systems.

Six airbags are standard (two of which are Multistage), plus three-point seatbelts with double pretensioners and load limit limiters, and SAHR (Self Aligning Head Restraints), a new second-generation device built into the backrests of the front seats that moves the head restraints closer to the occupants’ heads in the event of an impact, to lessen the effects of whiplash. There is also a highly significant contribution to occupant and pedestrian protection provided by the body, the bonnet, the doors and the dashboard crossmember, in addition to the seats and steering column.

The efficacy of all these systems is maximised by a three load line front structure that guarantees structural uniformity and consequently uniformity of response in the event of frontal impact, regardless of the type of obstacles or vehicle that the car is in collision with. This is a breakthrough in partner protection, because the vehicle is less ‘aggressive’ when crashing into the front or side of another vehicle, and in self protection, because uniform deformation makes the retaining systems more effective, regardless of the type of accident.

Finally, in the field of preventive safety, the new Giulietta uses headlights with Daytime Running Lights that are automatically switched on when the engine is started –  to meet a specific European standard that will come into force in 2012 – and LED tail lights, brighter than conventional bulbs, for extra safety.

The Giulietta has a full complement of airbags plus an array of electronic devices designed to let drivers extract the maximum from their Alfa Romeo while staying safe at all times. There’s ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) – Alfa Romeo’s interpretation of Electronic Stability Programme; Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Steering Torque (DST), Hydraulic Brake Assistance (HBA) and the new Pre-Fill function for the brakes.

It ensures that drivers can concentrate of getting maximum pleasure out of their driving while safe in the knowledge that the car is looking after them.  

RIDE AND HANDLING

• All-new platform
• Weight saving technology throughout
• D.N.A. system standard for extra adjustability

To satisfy drivers who demand the highest levels of road holding and agility in a comfortable, practical and safe package, the Alfa Giulietta sits on an all-new platform called Compact.

This chassis will underpin all future Fiat Group mid-size vehicles and so has a high degree of modularity for multiple applications. From the outset the aim was for it to be ranked best in class for handling, steering feel, performance to weight ratio, ride comfort, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), active and passive safety and climatic comfort.

This enables the Giulietta to offer two different types of driving experience. The Turismo and Lusso models sit on a ‘comfort’ chassis while the Veloce and Cloverleaf have a more sport-oriented set-up, with the Cloverleaf also featuring 10mm lowered suspension.

This has been possible because the latest Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform has been built with 90 per cent of its structure employing either high or ultra-high strength materials. The few components that have been carried over have been thoroughly revised to improve performance and slash weight. This has led to the Giulietta having a minimal (1.5 per cent) weight increase compared to its smaller, less lavishly equipped predecessor.

A magnesium dashboard support shaves 6kg; giving the pedal board a plastic support along with a plastic clutch pedal saves 3kg; and a new rear seat back that employs thermoplastics in both structure and cushions pares 7kg.

Aluminium has been employed in the MacPherson front suspension pillars, making them 8kg lighter than the 147. At the rear a sophisticated multi-link suspension solution has been used because it ensures the best possible exchange of forces between the road and tyres for excellent handling, while also offering good ride comfort and minimal boot intrusion. Manufacturing the wishbones and rear cross member from aluminium has reduced weight by 10kg compared to conventional multi-link systems used by competitors.

This has an impact on performance. Keeping weight, particularly that of non-suspended (unsprung) masses, to a minimum, gives even greater ride comfort. Improved stiffness and low mass give the structure a high natural frequency to give good vibration performance and insulate the cabin from the road, reducing driving noise.

The electric power steering system is also new. This employs two pinions on the steering column. The control pinion mechanically connects the steering wheel and rack for direct and precise steering that feels natural. The second power pinion transmits the torque generated by the electric motor to the rack. The result reduces fuel consumption by 3 per cent compared to a regular hydraulic set-up, gives variable performance depending on driving conditions and speed, and allows the steering to be influenced by the car’s electronic systems.

Brains

The new platform has been specifically designed to integrate and optimise different electronic systems in order to make the Giulietta one of the safest and most enjoyable drives in its sector. The brains behind this is Alfa Romeo’s D.N.A. system which is fitted as standard across the entire range and acts on the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox to allow drivers to hone the car’s responses to the conditions.

For sporty reactions, it offers Dynamic mode; there’s Normal for the urban environment and All-Weather for maximum safety in low grip conditions. It achieves these adaptations by modifying the operating parameters of the engine, gearbox (in the case of the automatic), steering, brakes and Electronic Q2 differential.

Normal mode is designed for relaxed driving, so every component controlled by the DNA system is in its regular configuration. This offers a lively engine, discreet Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Dynamic Steering Torque that controls oversteer. By simply moving the switch positioned ahead of the gear lever to Dynamic, the VDC and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) become less intrusive, the engine is made more responsive, the steering enjoys less power assistance for a sportier feel, and the Electronic Q2 system is enabled.

This works in conjunction with the VDC and uses the braking system to simulate the behaviour of a Limited Slip Differential. When the driver accelerates through corners it constantly distributes torque between the driving wheels, modulating the braking of the inner wheel while feeding power to the outer loaded wheel. The result is better traction and a more agile feeling from behind the wheel. The steering also helps make the Giulietta feel sportier by sensing lateral acceleration that’s greater than 0.6g and providing increased resistance to the steering wheel to help the driver’s feel of the road, particularly through fast bends.

D.N.A.’s Dynamic setting also activates a new function called Pre-Fill. This has been designed to give the brake pedal the feel of a racing car. It recognises that the driver is about to brake when the accelerator is released and increases the pressure inside the braking system by between five and seven bars. This reduces pedal travel by 30 per cent and ensures quicker braking response.

On its third setting, All-Weather, DNA makes the ASR more responsive and ensures the Giulietta is easier to control on low grip surfaces.

ENGINES

• Five Euro 5 engines
• Class-leading performance and economy
• Return of the ‘1750’

The latest Alfa Giulietta has a range of five high performance engines, all of which conform to the latest Euro 5 emissions criteria.

The most powerful petrol engine in the range is the 1750 TBi, a twin overhead camshaft, direct injection, variable valve timing engine that brings the classic 1750 capacity back to the Alfa Romeo range but with a modern twist. This innovative turbocharged unit provides more horsepower and torque per litre than any other four-cylinder petrol engine found in this class of car.

The resulting performance is equivalent to a three-litre while economy remains in line with a compact four-cylinder engine.

At the core of this power unit are a number of major innovations. It makes far better use of the turbocharger than conventional turbocharged petrol engines thanks to new scavenging technology. An ECU installed with ultra-modern engine parameter management software monitors and optimises fuel dosage, ignition advance and timing. This ultra-precise valve timing generates a direct flow of air from intake to exhaust manifolds, activating the variable geometry turbocharger instantly. Maximum torque at 1500rpm is 70 per cent greater than a conventional turbo engine, with response times more than halved. And maximum torque can be accessed at only 1900rpm, dramatically improving driveability at low engine RPM.

This engine also employs direct injection with innovative seven-hole injectors to help reduce emissions. And it has dual variable valve timing while the next-generation turbocharger optimises the use of exhaust pressure waves to increase torque at low speeds.

While the 1750 TBi is the jewel in the Giulietta’s crown, there are plenty of other gems. The entry point 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine develops a healthy 120bhp at 5000rpm and its maximum 206Nm of torque is available at 1750rpm, ensuring progress is relaxed, and making it ideal for handling city traffic. More than 120,000 hours of work has gone into developing this four valve per cylinder engine, with particular attention paid to minimising power loss and increasing efficiency so that high levels of performance can be accessed with limited fuel consumption and emissions.

As with every other engine in the range, apart from the 1750 TBi, it features Start&Stop technology as standard. This system temporarily cuts the engine instead of idling and is reckoned to cut consumption by 15 per cent over an urban route.

Start&Stop also cuts vibrations in the passenger compartment, but should the driver wish to override it, there’s a control near the steering wheel to do so. Linked in to this system is the Gear Shift Indicator which discreetly tells the driver when it’s the most efficient point in the RPM range to change gear. They represent two simple yet effective methods for drivers to economise on fuel.

Lusty

Giulietta owners keen on cutting costs while still wanting plenty of power will find that the 1.4-litre TB MultiAir engine with its fixed geometry turbocharger ticks those boxes. It combines a small cubic capacity with a high power output, 170bhp, yet emits just 134g/km of CO₂. This is thanks to the MultiAir system which could be as important to the development of the petrol engine as common rail was to diesel power more than a decade ago. MultiAir takes the control of engine ignition to previously unthinkable levels of efficiency. Compared to a conventional petrol engine of the same capacity, this technology boosts power by 10 per cent and torque by 15 per cent, yet slashes fuel consumption and emissions both by 10 per cent.

However, drivers who choose diesel power need not feel short changed. The 1.6 JTDM-2 represents a major advance over rival units due to the amount of torque it delivers at low engine RPM. The 280Nm at 1500rpm that it develops, increasing to 320Nm at just 1750rpm (in Dynamic mode), means the engine is responsive and lusty. Yet it’s economical too, with carbon dioxide emissions of just 114g/km, and an economy figure of 64.2mpg on a combined cycle. On top of this, a servicing interval of 21,000 miles is particularly lengthy and cuts running costs further, making the Giulietta more appealing to business car customers.

Top of the diesel line-up is the 2.0-litre JTDM-2. This engine uses a new variable geometry turbocharger to give better performance than any of its rivals in terms of acceleration,torque, economy and emissions. A particularly healthy 350Nm at 1750rpm gives the Giulietta superb get-up and go, yet CO₂ emissions are just 124g/km. Both MultiJet engines use an oil pump with an on/off type solenoid valve. This varies the capacity of the pump depending on engine operating conditions, which means that the engine absorbs less power from the pump, in turn reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by two per cent.

All engines feature a state-of-the-art manual six-speed gearbox. This is from a new family of three axle transmissions that have an improved change quality and are more compact than transmissions with two axles. The six-speed also means that at motorway speeds the engine revs lower than with a five-speed box, giving less noise and lower consumption.

From early 2011 a dual-clutch transmission will become available in conjunction with the 1.4 litre TB MultiAir 170bhp and 170bhp 2.0 JTDM-2 engines. This is effectively two gearboxes, each with its own clutch. When an odd numbered gear is selected, the next even numbered gear is primed. When the gear is changed, clutches are simply swapped, guaranteeing continuous torque and therefore traction. It makes driving more efficient, more comfortable and most definitely more fun.

INSIDE

• Handsome and practical
• Class leading occupant comfort
• Well equipped throughout the range

Alfa Romeo’s aim has been to guarantee that any journey undertaken in the Giulietta should be a pleasure for driver and passengers. The interior space was devised to make it practical for everyday use, while inspiration from the 8C Competizione ensures it maintains the firm’s core strength of driver appeal.

The result is a car that has best-in-class headroom for tall drivers when the seat is pushed back and lowered, and is equally class topping for rear leg room. It is also ahead of its rivals for noise suppression thanks to a sound-proofing film in the windscreen, thicker side windows, and damping material to counter body vibrations.

Carefully crafted materials use subtle shades to make the interior feel light and therefore spacious. And it doesn’t just look good; it feels good too thanks to enhanced ergonomics ensuring every switch is ideally located for driver access. The main switches, which share their design with the 8C Competizione, are grouped together at the centre of the dashboard for easy access.

Ahead of the driver there’s a sporty three-spoke steering wheel while the seats are supple yet still supportive. To make the Giulietta easy to live with, it’s been crammed with storage solutions. In front of the gear lever, on the centre console and in the doors there are open compartments. There are closed compartments on top of the dashboard, under it opposite the front passenger, and in the front and rear arm rests. Depending on the model, the front storage bin can be cooled with dual-zone climate control.

Optimum

The Giulietta range is split into four trim levels: entry-level Turismo, Lusso, Veloce and Cloverleaf. Standard equipment across the range is comprehensive but a lot of thought has gone into differentiating the various models. One example is the steering wheel. It’s vital for transmitting the feel of the car to the driver, so every trim level gets a different looking and progressively sportier one.

No Giulietta driver will feel short-changed when it comes to kit. The Turismo version features remote central locking and boot release, electric windows front and rear, height adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split folding rear seats, front airbag deactivation on the passenger side, and manual air-conditioning.

From the Lusso upwards there’s automatic dual-zone climate control. This system has been completely revised so that it now keeps the passenger compartment at the optimum temperature while consuming 30 per cent less fuel than a conventional system.

Lusso versions also get sports dials with white illumination, an alarm system, a steering wheel with ‘infotainment’ system controls, chrome effect window sills, cruise control, and the Blue&Me™ hands-free system with voice recognition and media player with USB port.

Veloce specification versions add to existing Lusso equipment with side skirts, sports suspension, leather and microfibre upholstery, and 17” Turbine design alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres.

Finally, top-of-the-range Cloverleaf versions add to Veloce specification with Cloverleaf badging, lowered suspension, red brake callipers, dark tinted windows and 18” Spoke design alloy wheels with a dark titanium finish and 225/40 R18 tyres.

Blue&Me is the Fiat Group’s ground-breaking hands-free system that allows  mobile phones and sound system to be accessed and controlled either from the steering wheel or using Bluetooth and advanced voice recognition. It is standard equipment on Lusso versions and above.

There’s a choice of two navigation systems. The Blue &Me™-Tom Tom^® portable navigation system which works in conjunction with Blue &Me™ is available as an after-sales accessory. Navigation is also available as an option employing a 6.5-inch colour screen Radio NAV that rises out of the top of the dashboard. European maps are available on an SD card to let owners travel far and wide in their Giulietta, receiving accurate route information without taking their eyes off the road.

The Giulietta is a bigger car than its predecessor and this is reflected in its luggage space. At 350 litres it’s on a par with its main competitors and 16 per cent bigger than the Alfa 147. Usefully, it’s a regular square shape and its width of 1022mm is 21 per cent up on its predecessor.

SAFETY

• Most comprehensive equipment in its sector
• Integrated safety engineering from the platform up
• Vast array of electronics limit potential for accidents and damage

One of the cornerstones of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is class-leading safety. During its development the car underwent 15,000 hours of mathematical modelling, 80 crash tests, 150 tests on a HyGe slide and more than 200 tests on components and sub-systems. This has been reflected in its five-star EuroNCAP performance.

As a result every model features the most comprehensive range of safety equipment in the segment. This includes six airbags (front multi-stage, side and curtain), five three-point seat belts with double pretensioners and load limiters, a collapsible pedal unit and steering column, a second-generation anti-whiplash system, and Isofix attachments.

To absorb energy from low speed impacts and support the bumper in a collision with pedestrians, there’s a third load path element. This allows the front to deform uniformly, making the car less ‘aggressive’ in head-on and side-on collisions. But because engineers have used aluminium for elements surrounding the front beam, 8.5kg has been pared from the weight. The rear bumper beam and third load path energy absorption elements have been made from thermoplastic Xenoy, giving a weight reduction of 4kg compared with a more traditional solution.

Every effort has been made to prevent Giulietta drivers being involved in an accident in the first place. Thus the hydraulic power assisted braking system comprising two crossover independent circuits has been specifically designed for progressive braking with shorter stopping distances.

The size of the brakes varies according to the engine. The 120bhp 1.4-litre petrol and 105bhp 1.6-litre JTDM-2have 281mm self-ventilating front discs and cast iron floating callipers. The 170bhp 1.4-litre MultiAir and 170bhp 2.0-litre JTDM-2 engined models are fitted with 305mm self-ventilating discs and cast iron floating callipers. Each of these engine sizes is equipped with 264mm solid rear brake discs and cast iron callipers. The most powerful version in the range, the 235bhp 1750 TBi features 330mm self-ventilating front discs with aluminium fixed callipers. The rears are fitted with 278mm solid discs, again with cast iron callipers.

Sophisticated

The ABS anti-lock braking system that governs these brakes is one of the most advanced currently available. It has four active sensors and features Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) to spread braking force over all four wheels. It also adapts to the prevailing conditions, depending on grip and brake pad efficiency.

In addition to these fundamentals, every vehicle in the range features a sophisticated suite of electronics designed to reduce the chances of an accident taking place and improve occupants’ safety if one does.

This is spearheaded by Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). As Alfa Romeo’s ‘take’ on Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), this system remains in the background monitoring tyre grip in longitudinal and lateral directions, the car’s yaw and the angle of the steering wheel. These are then compared with set parameters so that it can judge whether the situation is about to become unsafe.

An integral part of VDC is Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR). This employs the ABS anti-lock braking sensors to calculate the degree of slip. If it finds excessive power is causing both front wheels to slip, it decreases the throttle opening. If only one wheel is slipping the appropriate brakes are applied.

The Giulietta’s VDC also works in conjunction with Dynamic Steering Torque (DST). This improves both safety and handling by working alongside the VDC to provide feedback torque through the steering wheel that helps the driver respond to critical situations before VDC intervention is needed. Combined with its Mu-Split control function (MSF) it’s particularly effective when, for instance, two wheels are on ice and two on tarmac.

Another of the ways the Giulietta combines safety with performance is courtesy of the braking system. The Hydraulic Brake Assistance system increases brake circuit pressure under emergency braking situations to shorten stopping distances. And the system includes a Hill Holder which automatically simulates a traditional hill start by stopping the car rolling backwards on an incline. 

DESIGN

• Inspired by the past, designed for the future
• Dynamic like a coupe, practical like a saloon
• Innovative light show

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a unique blend of sportiness and style that draws inspiration from the firm’s rich heritage and brings it into the 21^st Century. Yet despite styling which inherits much of its emotion from the 8C Competizione supercar, the Giulietta is a practical machine with excellent on-board space and comfort.

The front is typical of the new generation of Alfa Romeos, forceful but attractive with an off-set number plate and a brand new interpretation of the classic shield grille suspended between the air vents and headlights.

In profile the Giulietta has the dynamism and fluidity of a coupe, despite having all the practicality of a five door. This is further enhanced by the concealed rear door handles, muscular wheel arches and deep side skirts.

The rear is similarly beefy, giving the Giulietta the appearance of a car that really grips the road. The bumper meanwhile accommodates the number plate and depending on the version, integral exhaust tail pipes.

This is complemented by head and tail lights that employ LED technology. Compared with conventional bulbs, these lights are brighter, more reliable and don’t use as much power, thereby cutting running costs. The Giulietta also features Daytime Running Lights that will become a European standard in 2012. These guarantee maximum visibility but use less energy.

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• ALFA ROMEO UK ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR THE NEW ALFA GIULIETTA
• ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA: WORLD PREVIEW

Alfa Romeo UK has recently introduced its new 200 bhp 1750 TBi petrol and the 170 bhp 2.0 JTDM diesel engines to the head-turning Alfa Brera coupé and Alfa Spider convertible range, following the unveiling of the powerplants in the Alfa 159 range late last year.

The Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider perfectly encapsulate the characteristics most synonymous with Alfa Romeo – sportiness and elegance – and now with the latest in engine efficiency and refinement, the updated line-up in the Brera/Spider range has never been stronger.

In addition to the two new engines produced by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT), an exclusive edition trim level will be available, known as Italia Independent – featuring unique content including a matt black titanium exterior finish, 18” black opaque turbine design alloy wheels, carbon fibre effect trim inserts and a radio/sat-nav system. The Italia Independent trim will be available on all Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider derivatives.

1750 TBi 200 BHP TURBO PETROL ENGINE

The new Alfa Romeo 1750 TBi engine embodies a long heritage of motoring excellence. The new, lightweight, variable valve timing, direct injection turbocharged engine develops an impressive 200 bhp along with 320 Nm of torque to bring new levels of drivability to the Alfa Brera and Spider range. 

Perfectly complementing the current engine line-up, the new 16-valve, twin overhead camshaft 1742 cc petrol unit promises keen fuel efficiency, along with much lower CO₂ emissions, down to 189 g/km for the Alfa Brera and 192 g/km for the Alfa Spider.

Significantly, through a process known as ‘scavenging’, the maximum torque of Alfa Romeo’s new petrol engine is achieved at just 1400 rpm – little more than tickover speed – with maximum power developed between 4750 and 5500 rpm. 

From a standstill, the 1750 TBi engined Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider reach the 0 – 62 mph acceleration benchmark in virtually identical times of 7.7 and 7.8 seconds respectively, before both topping out at 146 mph. However it is the on-road flexibility of the in-gear acceleration that sets the engine apart from its competitors – offering a more sporting driver experience consistent with a ‘flat’ torque curve and a constant delivery of power – perfect for confident overtaking and relaxed long distance driving.

Routine maintenance intervals for the 1750 TBi version will be set at every 21,000 miles.  

2.0 JTDM 170 BHP DIESEL ENGINE

Given that Alfa Romeo introduced common rail diesel technology more than 10 years ago on the Alfa 156, it should come as little surprise that a new diesel unit has now been developed that brings higher power and torque values, yet, at the same time, increases fuel efficiency and lowers CO₂ emissions.

Alfa’s 2.0 JTDM powerplant develops 170 bhp available at just 4,000 rpm, and the latest incarnation of its MultiJet technology means that the 2.0 JTDM unit delivers its maximum torque of 360 Nm between just 1750 rpm and 2500 rpm.

Significantly, the new 2.0 JTDM powered Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider cover the 0 – 62 mph sprint in just 8.8 and 9.0 seconds respectively, and possess a top speed of 135 mph. CO₂ emissions are reduced to just 142 g/km – putting these vehicles into one of the lower road charge tax bands.

Routine maintenance intervals for the 2.0 JTDM version are set at every 21,000 miles. 

LATEST TRIM ADDITION - ITALIA INDEPENDENT 

From the exterior, the Italia Independent trim is distinguished by its head-turning matt black titaniuim finish, 18” black opaque ‘turbine’ design alloy wheels, red brake calipers and Alfa 8C inspired aluminium fuel cap.

Internally, the car boasts a sporty black leather bound steering wheel and gear knob with red stitching, carbon-fibre trim inserts, sports dials, black sports leather upholstered seats with Italia Independent branded headrests, aluminium sports pedals and foot rest, and a high-tech radio/sat-nav sytem with Blue&Me™. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ALFA BRERA

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Alfa Romeo will be playing a major part in the Mille Miglia 2010, both as a sponsor and as an entrant. The “most beautiful road race in the world” – as it was famously dubbed by Enzo Ferrari – will be starting from Brescia on 6 May and finishing there four days later, following visits to some of Italy’s most picturesque cities.

This year some 375 crews will be competing in the 1600 kilometre event, driving cars which, as required by the rules, took part in at least one of the 30 Mille Miglia events staged between 1927 and 1957.

Naturally, Alfa Romeo couldn’t miss out in the brand’s centenary year. Thus, the Official Automobilismo Storico Alfa Romeo team has made five remarkable museum cars available: a 6C 1500 Super Sport (1928), a 6C 1750 Gran Sport (1930), an 8C 2300 Le Mans (1931), a 6C 2300 B (1937) and a 1900 Super Sprint (1956). Three cars from private collectors will also form part of the official Alfa Romeo team: a 6C 1750 Gran Sport (1932), a 6C 2500 Cabriolet (1951) and a Giulietta Sprint (1955).

The all-new Alfa Giulietta will also be featuring in the Mille Miglia 2010. The result of Alfa Romeo’s new direction in style and technology, beginning with the 8C Competizione super car and highlighted by the return of Italian names for its new products, the Alfa Giulietta draws attention to the brand’s glorious past while projecting the car maker’s traditional values of technology and emotion into the future. Spectators can admire Alfa Romeo’s new car at the Mille Miglia ‘villages’ in Brescia and Rome, and elsewhere along the route: the fleet made available to organisers will include 18 Giuliettas, and seven other Alfas, including 159s and MiTos. Meanwhile, five Giuliettas (equipped with powerful 1.4 TB MultiAir and 2.0 JTDM engines, both delivering 170 HP) will be driven by foreign journalists who will be taking the wheel in turns along the entire route.

The oldest model ear-marked by Automobilismo Storico Alfa Romeo for Mille Miglia 2010 is the 6C 1500 Super Sport. This car is identical to the one with which Campari and Ramponi began Alfa Romeo’s winning streak of eleven victories in this event between 1928 and 1947 (an unbeaten record to the present day). This particular car – usually exhibited at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese – has won three Mille Miglia revivals (2005, 2007 and 2008).

Also creating quite a stir is a 1930 6C 1750 Gran Sport, a legendary model which made motoring history in the Mille Miglia. A similar car was driven to victory by Nuvolari and Guidotti in 1930, a race which remains famous for the record-breaking average speed of 100 km/h attained along the entire route, and for the finishing order: three Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sports in first, second and third positions, driven, in order, by Tazio Nuvolari, Achille Varzi and Giuseppe Campari.

An 8C 2300 Le Mans (1931) will this year be driven by Prince Bernhard of Holland, the Alfa Romeo Team’s guest of honour, who is being joined by the famous Dutch architect Roberto Meyer. Henry “Tim” Birkin, the car’s first owner, won the Le Mans 24 Hour race with it in 1931. A genuine racing car icon of the 1930s, this model is equipped with a supercharged eight cylinder in-line engine. It is one of the engineering masterpieces designed by Vittorio Jano, who also created the 1500 and 1750 6C.

The spotlight will also be on a 6C 2300 B. This elegant Touring saloon was the first to sport a Superleggera (superlight) emblem, and was driven to a Mille Miglia class win in 1937 by Boratto and Sanesi. A 1956 1900 Super Sprint completes the team of official Alfa Romeo cars at Mille Miglia 2010.

Once again this year, the Mille Miglia route will be offering some variations. For example, as it did before the Second World War, the cavalcade will be crossing the city of Bologna, and including visits to the motor racing circuits of Imola and Fiorano. Each succeeding Mille Miglia is a race and an adventure all rolled into one, never the same as before. This is the secret of a prestigious event which every year brings together admiring, enthusiastic spectators: an opportunity for all to see that these historic cars still arouse strong emotions, even among the youngest in the vast crowds who come out to watch.

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Pricing for Alfa Romeo’s eagerly anticipated new Giulietta has just been announced for the UK market.

Starting from £16,995 OTR, the stylish new 5 door C-Segment contender will be publicly unveiled in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 2 – 4 July, where Alfa Romeo will be celebrating its Centenary as the featured marque.

In line with these celebrations, the new Alfa Giulietta will be on sale in the UK this summer, and will feature three petrol engines – 1.4 TB 120 bhp, 1.4 TB MultiAir 170bhp and a top-of-the-range 1750 TBi 235bhp model that will carry the brand’s iconic Cloverleaf status; and two diesel powerplants – 1.6 JTDM-2 105bhp and  2.0 JTDM-2 170bhp.

Three high specification trims – Turismo, Lusso and Veloce – will offer customers maximum user-chooser flexibility, while the Cloverleaf range-topping version will have its own exclusive exterior and interior attributes. It is priced at £24,495.

A host of cutting edge technological features are key to the new Alfa Giulietta range, with advancements such as revolutionary performance engine technology in the form of MultiAir (petrol) and second generation MultiJet (diesel);  Alfa’s DNA system which customises the vehicles’ behaviour to suit varying road conditions and driving styles; a standard equipment Start&Stop* system that guarantees improved fuel economy and CO₂ emissions; and Alfa’s all-new Compact chassis which will provide the foundations for class-leading ride and handling.

Standard equipment on the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta includes air conditioning, electric front and rear windows, Start&Stop*, VDC, LED front and rear lights, Electronic Q2, Alfa Romeo’s DNA technology and six airbags for maximum occupant safety.

The top-of-the-range Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf’s exclusive content features a 1750 TBi 235 bhp engine, 18” alloy wheels with a dark titanium finish, dark tinted windows, red painted brake calipers and the iconic Cloverleaf badge.  Top speed is 150 mph, with a 0–62 mph acceleration time of just 6.8 seconds.

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The famous Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, which is dedicated to exhibiting the most beautiful cars of the past, will take place on 23 – 25 April this year. The event was first held in 1929. Ever since then, it has always been staged in the magnificent gardens of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio, on the shores of Lake Como, and this year Alfa Romeo will have an even bigger presence than usual.

With the Italian sporting car manufacturer celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Villa d’Este ‘catwalk’ will be graced by nine superb models from the company’s Centro Storico at Arese. Along with these classics, the public will also be able to admire two latest generation Alfa Romeo models (the new Giulietta and the 8C Spider).

Of the nine Alfa Romeo classics on show, the oldest is a special version of the RL Super Sport, a six seat ‘torpedo’ with aluminium coachwork by Castagna, made in 1925 for an Indian Maharaja, and brought back to Italy in the 1970s.

Then there is a 1931 6C 1750 Gran Sport with coachwork by Zagato, finished in an elegant pastel white and distinguished by an exclusive detail: a radiator logo featuring the word Paris instead of Milano. This solution was adopted for a series of cars sold in France via Alfa Romeo’s French subsidiary.

The 8C 2300 Mille Miglia Spider, also with coachwork by Zagato, was built the following year. This particular model won the Mille Miglia race two years in succession (1932 and 1933) and is the only one among the Alfa Romeo classics on show that has had a racing past.

The prestigious line-up on display in Cernobbio contains the exclusive 8C 2900 B Lungo of 1938, finished in a splendid blue. This berlinetta features Touring’s special Superleggera coachwork, and represents the ultimate prestige in terms of style and technology. Back in 1938, this model was considered the super-car of its day. It won the Mille Miglia in 1947.

The 6C 2500 Super Sport Villa d’Este dates from 1949 and features an elegant metallic champagne livery. This model has already won a Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, confirming the excellence of its Milan-based Touring coachwork.

Another Touring model is the highly original 1953 1900 C52 Disco Volante Spider, a car with an unusual and fascinating design that always attracts great interest. Though the Disco Volante, or Flying Saucer, never actually raced, it was originally designed for competition use.

Alfa Romeo’s contribution to the event also includes a Pinin Farina styled Giulietta Spider, one of the company’s most popular models. The version on show, a prototype of the America series, dates from 1955 and differs from the production model in a number of details.

The historic Alfa Romeo line-up concludes with a 1954 2000 Sportiva and a 1967 33 Stradale prototype. The 33 Stradale is a supercar, with an 8-cylinder engine, designed by Scaglione. It is considered the stylistic forerunner of the recent 8C Competizione, and in its day, was top of the Alfa Romeo range. The 2000 Sportiva, also designed by Scaglione and with coachwork by Bertone, is an elegant metallic grey coupé: not widely known to the general public.

These precious examples from some of the most significant stages in Alfa Romeo’s long and distinguished history of design and innovation, will be accompanied by the marque’s two latest models, the brand new and already widely acclaimed Giulietta, and the magnificent 8C Spider. Both these models are products of Alfa Romeo’s renewed stylistic and technological direction, which began with the 8C Competizione supercar and is emphasised by a return to Italian names that form a link with the marque’s glorious past, while also pointing to a future based on values of technology and passion.

As the vehicles on display at Cernobbio clearly show, Alfa Romeo cars, past and present, stand out on for their passionate styling, cutting edge technology, superb road holding and unrivalled driving pleasure.

Finally, bearing witness to 100 years of fruitful collaboration between Europe’s top car designers and the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the Alfa Romeo area at Villa d’Este will also be displaying Pininfarina’s 2ettottanta, a concept presented at this year’s Geneva Motor Show as a homage to 80 years of Pininfarina automobile history, and to the famous Alfa Romeo Duetto spider designed by the company.

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The Festival of Speed will be a key focus of Alfa Romeo’s global centenary celebrations, with a striking automotive ‘sculpture’ in front of Goodwood House. With construction work due to commence shortly, the Alfa Romeo ‘Central Feature’ art installation is set to be one of the most stylish and memorable sculptures ever constructed for the Festival, representing the unique flair of one of the World’s most admired and celebrated automotive brands. 

The Goodwood Festival of Speed will help mark Alfa Romeo’s global Centenary celebrations as the revered Italian marque celebrates its official 100^th birthday in late June.  In addition to the main central installation outside Goodwood House, a stunning display of desirable vehicles will be on show at the Festival, representing Alfa Romeo’s first 100 years.  Included among these will be many cars never before seen in the UK, direct from the marque’s extensive Milan-based Museo Storico collection. 

It is expected that more than 50 important Alfa Romeos will attend the 2010 Festival, ranging from examples of the pre-War P3, Monza, 12C-37 and 2900 B Le Mans, through to the 159 ‘Alfetta’, GTAm, Tipo 33, 185T, 164 Pro Car, and the unique V10-powered SE 048SP Group C prototype.  It is hoped that the legendary Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘fan car’ may also make a rare public appearance.  On the tranquil lawns of the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance, expect to see a class of Alfa’s definitive pre-War flagship, the 8C, including a beautiful 8C 2300 Zagato Spider and 2900A Touring Spider, plus some stunning concepts based on the race-derived Tipo 33.

The brand new Alfa Giulietta, which goes on sale in the UK this summer, will make its UK public debut at the Goodwood event too, forming a key part of the Alfa Romeo ‘showroom’ display in the Festival exhibition area.  The stand, whilst showcasing the brand’s illustrious history, will feature this new model, plus a selection of the current Alfa Romeo product range.  The new Giulietta will also be displayed as part of the Goodwood ‘Moving Motor Show’ on Thursday 1 July, giving British motorists their very first opportunity to see the car and drive it up the famous Goodwood Hill.

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The Alfa MiTo range has offered economical yet powerful diesel derivatives since it was launched in the UK in 2009.

Now Alfa Romeo is ushering in the next generation of diesel technology with the introduction of MultiJet II.

The MultiJet II diesel engine marks its arrival in the form of the Alfa MiTo 1.3 JTDM-2. This new engine perfectly complements the Alfa MiTo philosophy of lowered emissions and fuel consumption without compromising performance and driver satisfaction.

Available in three trim levels: Turismo, Lusso and Veloce, the new MultiJet II engine increases the Alfa MiTo’s credentials as the sportiest compact car, providing increased acceleration and power, but with lower emissions and fuel consumption.

Developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT), MultiJet II is a continuation of FPT’s remarkable technological pedigree.

MULTIJET II

Introduced in 2003, MultiJet was a development of UniJet which debuted on the Alfa 156 JTD in 1997. It improved the thermodynamic efficiency of the engine by introducing five injections during the same combustion cycle. Now in 2010 the Alfa MiTo benefits from the next generation of MultiJet technology.   

Thanks to a new balanced solenoid servo valve, MultiJet II is able to control with high precision, the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder, with a quicker and more flexible injection sequence. In fact, the new MultiJet II system can manage eight injections per cycle.

It also offers higher flexibility in managing multiple injections, resulting in further optimisation of diesel combustion. In particular it has a new injection modality called Injection Rate Shaping (IRS) which consists of two consecutive injections with zero hydraulic dwell. This has a positive effect on combustion at higher loads, allowing for improved trade-off in terms of emissions, fuel consumption and noise.

It all means that the second generation 1.3-litre MultiJet provides the driver with an engine that complies with Euro 5 emissions legislation, yet in 95bhp form gives the Alfa MiTo a 0-62mph acceleration time of 11.6 seconds while returning 65.7mpg (combined cycle) and emitting just 112g/km of CO2.

To further improve the Alfa MiTo’s greener engine credentials, the 1.3 MultiJet II engine comes with Start&Stop and features a Diesel Particulate Filter. The engine also employs a second generation turbocharger with variable vane geometry, which, along with the MultiJet II injection system, ensures the best possible turbo function at any engine operating level. The big advantage the new Euro 5 engine has over the outgoing Euro 4 power-plant is that torque delivery at low RPM can be up to 25 per cent greater.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

PRICING 

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The Alfa Romeo MiTo is already a global success story. Sold in 34 countries and on five different continents, it has won wide acclaim for its unprecedented fusion of head-turning high end style, engineering flair, dynamic performance and driving pleasure.

And now, Alfa has moved the game on again, bringing revolutionary MultiAir technology and a raft of technical innovations to the world’s sportiest compact car. The evolution underlines the company’s on-going commitment to reconcile lower emissions and fuel consumption with higher performance and driver satisfaction for an increasingly extensive, smart and environmentally aware audience.

The new Euro 5-ready 1.4-litre MultiAir engine, developed and patented by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT), made its international debut in the MiTo late last year, and is initially offered in two turbocharged forms for the UK market. The 135bhp version of the unit powers the £15,165 Lusso and £16,135 Veloce, while the range-topping £17,895 Cloverleaf – an auspicious return for the iconic badge close to every Alfista’s heart – boasts 170bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 7.5 seconds, but a combined fuel consumption of 47.1 mpg.

In addition to MultiAir, the new MiTo range showcases a broad spectrum of innovative technologies, including active suspension on the Cloverleaf (a first for this class of car), the emission-reducing Start&Stop system across the range, and Alfa Romeo DNA. Derived from racing, this three-mode electronic system communicates with the engine, brakes, steering, suspension (on MiTo Cloverleaf), and transmission, allowing the driver to adjust the responses of the car to suit driving style and road conditions.  

Alfa’s Electronic Q2 limited slip differential heads a number of dynamic driver aids, including a long list of safety systems. Together with the MacPherson strut/torsion beam suspension layout, these all help deliver the handling dynamics and sure-footed road holding capabilities you’d expect from an Alfa, whatever the road. Designed to satisfy the highest Euro NCAP crash safety rating, the MiTo also offers optimum passive safety.

The model’s high level of engineering integrity can also be appreciated through the series of improvements that have further increased the quality of the Alfa MiTo. Improvements embrace the interior finish, trim combinations, and gearchange quality (the lever on the MiTo Cloverleaf has been shortened by 2.5 centimetres) as well as modifications to the steering, suspension and braking systems.

WHY MULTIAIR?

The Holy Grail for any engineering endeavour is to have your cake and eat it – to unify seemingly incompatible goals. For the Fiat Group’s engine designers, FPT, the quest has been clear cut: how to deliver high performance and driveablity while, at the same time, significantly reducing emissions and fuel consumption.

The key to achieving this is well understood. It requires taking more precise control of the quantity and characteristics of the air drawn into the cylinders in the combustion cycle. There are numerous electro-mechanical variable valve timing systems in production today that seek to achieve this. But because they usually have only two operating regimes, they are severely limited by the degree of flexibility they can exercise in the valve opening schedules.

MultiAir eliminates these compromises by metering the direct air charge at the cylinder inlet ports with an advanced electro-hydraulic actuation and control system that has no fewer than five basic parameters, and the ability to optimally adjust valve timing and lift between them to exactly suit different engine speeds and loads, ensuring strong low- and mid-range torque and vigorous top-end power, combined with good economy and low emissions.

This is a transformational technology comparable to the introduction of FPT’s common rail fueling for diesels, but the principles behind it are as simple as they are ingenious. MultiAir engines have just one camshaft with three lobes allocated to each cylinder. The first two control the two exhaust valves in the conventional way, while the third defines the maximum possible lift and opening duration of the two inlet valves. It also acts on a small piston that sends engine oil, via pressurised hydraulic channels, to additional pistons located just above the inlet valves.

Four solenoid valves – one for each cylinder under individual control from the Magneti Marelli ECU engine management system – can be opened at any point during the inlet valve’s movement to bleed off the oil. Varying the oil flow instantly and precisely controls the opening and closing of the valves between the parameter extremes mechanically described by the camshaft lobe for optimum results.

MultiAir can even open the inlet valve twice in one intake stroke, when running at low speeds and loads around town, to create more swirl of the intake mixture, enabling it to burn more completely.

MultiAir strategies

When the solenoid valve is closed, the oil in the hydraulic chamber behaves like a solid body and acts on the intake valves in accordance with the profile of the cam lobe.
When the solenoid valve is open, the hydraulic chamber and the intake valves are de-coupled; the valves no longer follow the cam profile.
By controlling the solenoid closing period, various optimal intake valve opening schedules can be realised.
MULTIAIR IN ACTION

Different strategies can be employed to optimise combustion efficiency, according to varying driving situations -

FULL LIFT – for maximum power, the Solenoid Valve is always closed and full valve opening is achieved by completely following the mechanical cam, which was specifically designed to maximise power at high engine speed; i.e: motorway driving.

EIVC (Early Intake Valve Closing)- for low-rpm torque, the Solenoid Valve is opened near the end of the cam profile, leading to early intake valve closing. This eliminates unwanted backflow into the manifold and maximises the air mass trapped in the cylinders; i.e: during acceleration.

LIVO (Late Intake Valve Opening) – in engine part-load, the Solenoid Valve is opened earlier causing partial valve openings to control the trapped air mass as a function of the required torque.

PARTIAL LOAD – the intake valves can be partially opened by closing the Solenoid Valve once the mechanical cam action has already started. In this case the air stream into the cylinder is faster and results in higher in-cylinder turbulence; i.e: at engine start up or idling.

MULTI-LIFT – Multiple opening strategies are used to enhance turbulence and combustion rate at very low loads. The advantage is a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions in the urban cycle; i.e: city driving.

MultiAir makes the difference: 1.4 TB MultiAir 135bhp compared to the 1.4 TB 120bhp

CO2 reduced by over 10%
Max power increased by 12.5%
Acceleration (0-62mph) reduced by up 0.4 seconds
Better throttle response, less turbo lag
Fuel consumption reduced by up to 10%

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In Alfa Romeo’s Centenary year, the new Alfa Giulietta is the undisputed star of the Alfa Romeo stand at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (4-14 March).

With the new car – capable of demonstrating great agility over the most demanding routes, and providing comfort on everyday roads – Alfa Romeo continues its custom of presenting new products and features in a world preview context.

Designed by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, new Giulietta is a five-door hatchback, with strong Alfa Romeo design cues, equipped with impressive dynamic capability for the most demanding routes, while providing comfort on everyday journeys.

This is thanks to its new Compact platform which, in conjunction with the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, the dual pinion active steering, and high quality materials and manufacturing technologies implemented, allows the Giulietta to achieve excellent performance both in terms of on-board comfort as well as dynamic and safety features (active and passive).

From May this year, the Alfa Giulietta will go on sale progressively in all the major markets, while visitors to the Geneva Motor Show will be able to see five different versions: two Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf) versions fitted with Alfa Romeo’s 235 HP 1750 TBi engine, two Distinctive versions with 170 HP 2.0 JTDMturbodiesels, and a Distinctive version fitted with the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo petrol engine. The name of the new car is an obvious tribute to the mythical Giulietta which in the Fifties caught the imagination of generations of car enthusiasts, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo, with its high level of comfort and technical excellence, possible for the first time.

A new platform to enhance road holding and agility in total comfort and safety

The new compact Alfa Romeo has been designed to appeal to customers looking for a distinctive saloon providing excellent levels of comfort and the best possible dynamic performance.

The new Alfa Giulietta introduces an entirely new platform – referred to as Compact – designed to satisfy the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding, agility and safety. It ensures both exceptional dynamic performance and high comfort levels, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, a new-generation steering system, a light and rigid structure created from materials such as aluminium and high-strength steels, and avant-garde manufacturing techniques.

This new platform will allow the Giulietta to accommodate the needs of a wide spectrum of customers in this category, teaming on-board comfort, functional interiors and a substantial boot, with the typical dynamic qualities of a true Alfa Romeo.

Driving satisfaction and comfort can be adapted to meet customers’ specific needs thanks to the Alfa DNA selector, a system that customises the vehicle’s behaviour to suit different road conditions and driving styles. The new Alfa Giulietta platform was designed to integrate the vehicle’s different systems and exploit them to the full, thus emphasising the three set-up functions (Dynamic, Normaland All Weather) available through the Alfa DNA selector. Fitted as standard on the entire Giulietta range, the system is designed to modify the operating parameters of the engine, gearbox, steering system and Q2 electronic differential, in addition to the behaviour logic of the Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC).

Sporty and comfortable, Italian style

A perfect blend of sportiness and style, the new Alfa Giulietta redefines the Brand’s technological standards and emotional values.

Frontal styling is a development of Alfa’s trademark triangular grille, with a brand new interpretation of the classic shield, embedded in the front bumper and suspended between the air vents. This is the point of origin for the design of the entire car, which teams an energetic personality with markedly stylish shapes. The front headlights have DRL (Daylight Running Lights) with LED technology.

In profile, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is brimming with personality, reinforcing its agility and strength. The side windows recall the appearance of a coupé, emphasising the dynamism and fluidity of the shapes, including the concealed rear door handles. Ribs on the vehicle sides ‘elongate’ the car while clean lines accentuate the angular shape of the body.

The rear, like the front and sides, emphasises the feeling of a muscular vehicle, decidedly ‘planted’ on the road surface. In addition, like the headlights, the innovative rear lights also use LED technology which serves a stylish purpose and also enhances preventive safety.

The overall measurements of the new car allow for a compact and dynamic shape, while at the same time guaranteeing excellent comfort and a spacious boot (350 litres): in fact, new Giulietta is 4.35 metres long, 1.46 metres high and 1.80 metres wide, with a wheelbase of 2.63 metres.

Innovative features for maximum in-car wellbeing

Attention to detail and high quality materials used for the interiors are, today as yesterday, the most evolved expression of Italian style. Thanks to the enhanced ergonomics of the interior design, every command is ideally located: the main ones are grouped together at the centre of the dashboard and feature the same design as the commands on the 8C Competizione. In addition, the navigation system with pop-up display allows drivers to view either maps or the mechanical operating parameters set on the Alfa DNA system without having to take their eyes off the road.

There are practical open storage compartments situated in various parts of the passenger compartment: in front of the gear lever, on the centre console and on the interior door trim. There are closed storage compartments – depending on the chosen version – on the top of the dashboard, under the dashboard opposite the front passenger (cooled with dual zone climate control), and in both front and rear armrests.

Innovative engines for a thrilling yet environmentally-friendly drive

The new Alfa Giulietta offers the highest levels of performance and technology through a range of engines that are absolutely state-of-art in terms of technology, performance levels and environmental-friendliness. At the time of its commercial launch, four Turbo engines will be available, all with Euro 5 type-approval and fitted as standard with a Start&Stop system to reduce consumption levels and emissions: two petrol versions (120 HP 1.4TB and 170 HP 1.4TB MultiAir) and two diesels (105 HP 1.6 JTDMand 170 HP 2.0 JTDM, both second-generation MultiJet engines). The range is completed by the impressive 235 HP 1750 TBi teamed with exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf) interior.

The latter is a true representative of the way in which Alfa Romeo interprets the high end of this automotive segment.  Here is a 235 bhp vehicle that can really connect with customers. There is strong and sustained acceleration thanks to plenty of torque even at low engine rpm, a smooth response that minimises gearbox use thanks to the flat torque curve typical of the best modern petrol engines, and an engine note that is engaging without ever becoming intrusive.

In detail, Alfa Romeo’s Turbo petrol engine boasts advanced technical solutions including direct fuel injection, twin continuously variable valve timing units, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system that nullifies any turbo ‘lag’. The resulting performance is comparable to – or better than –many 3-litre engines, while still delivering fuel consumption typical of a compact four cylinder unit. It should be noted that the specific power of 134 HP/litre is the highest in the world for a 4-cylinder unit installed in this type of vehicle, as well as being the highest ever achieved by an Alfa Romeo production engine. The specific torque too, totalling 194 Nm/litre, is the highest of any petrol engine in this category, while the maximum torque of 340 Nm, delivered at only 1,900 rpm, is class-leading.

The range of engines available can accommodate a wide spectrum of customers. The 120 HP 1.4TB is the ideal engine for those in search of a car that can handle city traffic effortlessly while keeping running costs to a minimum. The turbo engine guarantees prompt response even at low rpm (maximum torque is achieved at just 1,750 rpm) while Start&Stop makes it possible to cut consumption and harmful emissions levels drastically, without compromising comfort and on-board safety.

The 170 HP 1.4 TB MultiAir engine is an amalgam of technology, which blends high performance levels with the lowest emissions and fuel consumption levels in its class for petrol engines of this power rating. This is a powerful and flexible engine, with a generous 250 Nm of torque (when set to Dynamic), fitted with Start&Stop and with

fuel consumption and emissions levels more closely resembling a diesel engine than a petrol one of this power rating (61.4mpg in the extra-urban cycle and 134 g/km of CO2 emissions). The teaming of this engine with Alfa Romeo’s new platform ranks the Giulietta at the top of its class both for its dynamic qualities as well as comfort and practicality during everyday use.

The 105 HP 1.6 JTDM is a flexible and economical diesel engine that will surprise customers due to its prompt response (in Dynamic mode, maximum torque is a generous 320 Nm) combined with extremely low fuel consumption (in the extra-urban cycle, it is just 76.3 mpg). This is possible thanks to the combination of second-generation MultiJet technology and the Start&Stop system. Consequently, it is an engine dedicated to all those in search of a car with character and a distinctive style, affording the typical agility and handling of an Alfa Romeo, yet able to combine them with low running costs.

For customers who use their cars primarily on the motorway or who demand the maximum performance levels from a diesel engine, the 170 HP 2.0 JTDM is an obvious choice.  Again, it is an amalgam of technology which combines second-generation MultiJet technology with Start&Stop. The result is a vehicle with best-in-class performance levels, extremely flexible driving (with the DNA selector set to Dynamic mode, the available torque at 1,750 rpm is a generous 350 Nm), and one that offers among the lowest fuel consumption and emission levels in its class for cars with this power rating (124 g/km of CO2 and 68.8mpg in the extra-urban cycle). Thanks to the exceptional qualities of the new Compact platform, this version is able to blend impressive dynamic performance with best-in-class comfort and practicality.

All the engines are teamed with a state-of-the-art manual 6-speed gearbox which can withstand and transmit high maximum torque values. Subsequently, the MultiAir and 170 HP 2.0 JTDMengines will also be teamed with an innovative dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Segment-beating safety, comfort and dynamic control

The Alfa Giulietta was designed to achieve the highest Euro NCAP crash safety rating to offer total protection for both driver and passengers. In addition, the new platform was designed to guarantee the utmost interaction of the systems in charge of controlling vehicle dynamics.

The Alfa DNA system monitors all the sophisticated electronic devices for dynamic vehicle control: VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), Dual Pinion Active Steering, the Q2 electronic differential, the response and torque curve of the engine, and the braking system.

All these systems guarantee genuine Alfa Romeo driving pleasure, safety, vehicle traction and performance.

The new Compact platform, thanks to refined technical solutions employed for the suspension and the materials used (high-strength steels, aluminium, magnesium, etc.), can accommodate the needs of the most demanding customers in terms of on-board comfort and quiet running, ranking the Giulietta at the top of its class.

Extensive and diverse range

Intended for customers who won’t compromise on-board comfort and safety, the new Giulietta is available in two versions (Progression and Distinctive), along with two custom packs (Sport Pack and Premium Pack).

All the devices linked to active and passive safety are fitted as standard on the entire Giulietta range. Indeed, the Progression version comes standard with the Alfa D.N.A. system (with Q2 electronic differential and DST), VDC (including ASR and hill holder), six airbags, front seat belts with dual pretensioners, and front seats with an anti-whiplash system. Standard equipment also includes manual climate control, 16’’ wheels, front electric windows and a trip computer. Distinctive offers the following in addition to the standard equipment of the former: dual zone automatic climate control, leather steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, radio with CD and MP3 player and dual tuner function, fog lights, reconfigurable instrument panel, seats upholstered in Competizione fabric, and a stylish chromed insert framing the side windows. The dashboard on Distinctive versions also stands out for the stylish insert painted in magnesium grey or, alternatively, in Ghiaccio white or Alfa Red as well as in brushed burnished aluminium.

As on the Alfa MiTo, customers can further customise their Giulietta with two specific Packs (Sport and Premium). The former is designed to enhance the sporty soul of the vehicle with specific features which improve the already excellent handling of the car and include 17’’or 18’’ alloy wheels, side skirts, sports pedals, wraparound seats with leather and microfibre fabric upholstery, brushed burnished aluminium dashboard insert and burnished headlight frames.

The Premium Pack includes bi-xenon lights with AFS function, the Blue&Me system with bluetooth function, USB port and MP3 player, rear parking sensors, electrically folding door mirrors and an electrochromic rear-view mirror.

To customise their Giulietta, customers can also choose from a list of options including a large panoramic sunroof, navigation system with maps and pop-up display with European maps on SD card and TMC Pro (service available for Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom and Spain) together with a Bose® Hi-Fi system. In addition, the Blue&Me® MAP system is also available, which adds to the functions of the Blue&Me® (hands-free function with Bluetooth® interface and advanced voice recognition, USB port, MP3 player and SMS interpreter) navigation functions thanks to a TomTom portable navigation system which is integrated with the vehicle’s existing systems thanks to a Bluetooth® interface. The portable navigation system is embedded into the dashboard courtesy of a purpose-designed interface, so as to blend in seamlessly with the ergonomics of the passenger compartment and to ensure maximum safety in the event of an accident.

The new Giulietta range is completed by the 235 HP Giulietta 1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf), a legendary Alfa Romeo symbol which has competed on tracks all over the world. Equipped with the highest-performing engine in the range, this version stands out for its thoroughbred sports styling, teamed with 17’’ (18’’ optional) wheels, guaranteeing best-in-class driving pleasure and surprisingly low fuel consumption for this power rating. The Cloverleaf is thus reinterpreted with a modern touch, combining the utmost driving pleasure with greater environmental awareness.

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Alfa Romeo UK has just announced pricing of its revolutionary MultiAir engined MiTo range, set to arrive here in spring 2010. From launch, two engine versions will become available – the 135 bhp 1.4 Turbo, and the top-of-the-range 170 bhp 1.4 Turbo which will carry the iconic Alfa Cloverleaf badge.

Available to order through the Alfa Romeo UK dealer network from early January 2010, the MiTo’s MultiAir engine range marks the next technological step in the vehicle’s already successful life – promising lower emissions and fuel consumption together with higher performance and greater driving pleasure – with Active Suspension as standard on the 170bhp Cloverleaf model.”

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Just in case there was ever any doubt, Alfa Romeo’s stunning Alfa 8C Spider supercar has been officially named as the Most Beautiful Car of the Year by Top Gear magazine.

Judged by a Top Gear panel consisting of TV, magazine and online teams – spanning 24 international editions – the awards recognise the most innovative and exciting cars to be launched over the past 12 months.

Described as ‘perfection’ by Top Gear, the 8C Spider’s good looks are more than skin deep. A responsive 4.7litre V8 engine produces an awesome 450BHP which is channelled through a sophisticated 6-speed F1-style paddle shift gearbox to the rear wheels, producing enough power to launch its occupants from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 181mph.

UK Brand Communications Manager, Damien Dally, said: ‘There’s no doubt that the 8C Spider is a sensational supercar but to have the recognition of the Top Gear panel is a perfect way to end the year.’

Limited to a production run of just 500 examples, 35 Alfa 8C Spiders are destined for the UK, with most of them sold before you could say ‘bellissima’. Valued at around £174,000 the chance of owning an example remains ultra exclusive, however the latest models in Alfa Romeo’s line up have taken inspiration from the Alfa 8C Competizione and Spider – such as the sporty compact Alfa MiTo and 2010’s Alfa Giulietta.

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The new Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be presented to the world at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show (March 2010). Sales of the new model will start in spring and be gradually extended to all the major markets. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is expected to give new impetus to the brand in one of Europe’s most important segments.

In its Centenary year, the name is both a tribute to an automobile heritage and to Alfa Romeo itself. The Giulietta is a car that, in the 1950s, caught the imagination of generations of car enthusiasts, fulfilling their dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo, and making its high level of comfort and technical excellence accessible for the first time.

Now, the Alfa Romeo Style Centre has produced a new Giulietta, a sporting car capable of expressing both great agility on the most demanding routes, and providing comfort on everyday roads.

A new platform for enhancing road-holding and agility in total comfort and safety

The new Alfa Romeo is a compact car created to appeal to customers who are looking for class-leading dynamic performance, together with those who are looking for a distinctive style and a high level of comfort.

The Giulietta has an all-new platform, designed to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding, agility and safety. Its excellent dynamic performance and great comfort are the result of refined technical solutions implemented in the suspension, a next-generation steering system, a rigid yet light structure made of aluminium and high-strength steel, and state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies.

Alfa DNA, a system which customises the behaviour of the car according to different driving styles and road conditions, can adapt the new Alfa Romeo to the needs of each individual driver to enhance driving pleasure and comfort. The new Alfa Giulietta platform was designed to integrate and enhance all onboard systems. Three set-ups (Dynamic, Normal and All Weather) are available and can be selected using the Alfa DNA. This system – standard across the entire range of the new model – modifies the operating parameters of the engine, the steering system, and the Q2 electronic differential, in addition to fine-tuning the stability control system (VDC) behaviours.

Italian style sportiness and comfort

Combining sportiness and elegance, the Alfa Giulietta is the result of Alfa Romeo’s new direction in style and technology – an approach that started with the 8C Competizione supercar and which recalls the brand’s glorious past while projecting its traditional values of technology and passion into the future.

The front end features a brand-new interpretation of the classic Alfa grille, set into the front bumper and suspended between the two air intakes. The entire car develops from here to combine a lively personality with an elegant form. The front headlamps implement LED technology and a Daytime Running Lights (DRL) function for maximum active safety.

The profile of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is rich in personality and confers the appearance of an agile, solid vehicle. This is above all the result of the coupé shaped side windows, which highlight its dynamic and streamlined shape, and of the concealed rear door handles. Side ribbing adds to the car’s slender look, while the taut lines closing in on the rear end accentuate the wedge shape of the body.

The strong style of the rear end consolidates the impression of a muscular car, firmly gripped to the road. Like the headlamps, the rear light clusters implement LED technology, to the advantage of preventive safety, in addition to good looks.

The interior design is taut and light: featuring a horizontally developed dashboard with aluminium accents, and rocker controls which explicitly recall the 8C Competizione. Painstaking attention to detail and the high quality of the materials used are the most advanced expression of Italian style.

Finally, the dimensions of the new car give a compact, dynamic shape combined with excellent interior space and a capacious boot (350 litres): the car is 4.35 metres long, 1.46 metre high and 1.80 metres wide with a wheelbase of 2.63 metres.

Innovative engines for exciting, environmentally-friendly driving

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta achieves top level performance and offers next-generation technology in terms of technical solutions, performance and environmental friendliness. Four Turbo engines will be available at launch, all Euro 5 compliant and fitted with a standard Start&Stop system for reducing consumption and emissions: two petrol engines (1.4TB – 120 HP and 1.4TB MultiAir – 170 HP) and two diesel engines (1.6 JTDM – 105 HP and 2.0 JTDM – 170 HP, both belonging to the second generation of JTDM engines). Finally, the range is completed with the lively 1750 TBi version producing 235 HP with an exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde configuration.

Safety and dynamic behaviour at the top of the segment

Alfa Romeo Giulietta was designed to obtain the maximum Euro NCAP crash safety rating in order to offer total protection to driver and passengers. Furthermore, suspension, steering and braking systems are designed to be perfectly balanced even during extreme manoeuvres.

Finally, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is fitted with the most sophisticated electronic systems for dynamic control as standard: VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), DST (Dynamic Steering Torque), Q2 electronic differential and Alfa DNA selector. All these systems guarantee driving safety, dynamism and performance in the best Alfa Romeo tradition.”

(Via .)

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Conceived to celebrate the unique genealogy passed from the breathtaking Alfa 8C Competizione supercar to the head-turning Alfa MiTo, the Italian sporting car manufacturer, Alfa Romeo, paired up with TV’s fashion expert, Louise Roe, to challenge two up-and-coming fashion designers to create a line of women’s jeans that would be as cool and desirable as the Alfa MiTo and, and at the same time, raise money for charity.

The result is a one-off series of limited edition skinny fit jeans – available via www.mitojeans.co.uk – that echo the genealogy concept by deconstructing first generation jeans to create new, high fashion jeans complete with a high quality leather waistband and Alfa Romeo red stitching.

London-based fashion designers Bjork and McElligott, who have already created outfits for a number of celebrities, also introduced other distinct and attractive styling touches including embroidered rear pockets – one featuring the serpent from Alfa Romeo’s iconic badge on the right plus their own logo on the left pocket – to create recognisable and distinct jeans.

Significantly most Alfa MiTos feature a DNA button that alters the responsiveness of the accelerator, brakes and traction to suit different driving conditions – Dynamic, Normal and All Weather.

Sophie McElligott said: ‘The DNA button gave us an extra framework to operate within. The Alfa MiTo’s parentage from the Alfa 8C and the concept that DNA is in your genes made the project’s beneficiary an easy choice.’

The designers chose the charity Jeans for Genes to profit from the sale of the high class jeans and found two boutique retail outlets in London through the charity’s patron, Donna Ida.

Priced at £75 a pair, the designer jeans are expected to raise vital funds for Jeans for Genes.

For more information on the project along with details of the Donna Ida retail outlets visit www.mitojeans.co.uk

“

(Via .)

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Italian sporting car manufacturer, Alfa Romeo, has just introduced two brand new Euro 5-compliant engines for the Alfa 159 range – the 1750 TBi and the 2.0 JTDM. Both the Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider will benefit from these powerplants later in the year.

These two new high technology petrol and diesel engines will complement existing petrol and diesel units in the 159 range and introduce a combination of increased torque and power with lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency.

1750i 200 BHP TURBO PETROL ENGINE
The new Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi embodies a long heritage of motoring excellence, taking its name from its successful saloon ancestor, the Alfa 1750 Berlina. Alfa Romeo’s new, lightweight, variable valve timing, direct injection turbocharged engine develops an impressive 200 bhp along with 320 Nm of torque to bring new levels of drivability to the Alfa 159 range.

Perfectly complementing the current engine line-up, the new 16-valve, twin overhead camshaft 1742 cc petrol unit brings keen fuel efficiency to Alfa 159 Saloon and Sportwagon versions, along with lower CO2 emissions, down to 189 g/km – resulting in a six-band drop in company car BIK taxation compared to the older 2.2 JTS engine.

Significantly, through a process known as ‘scavenging’, the maximum torque of Alfa Romeo’s new petrol engine is achieved at just 1400 rpm – a little more than tickover speed – with maximum power reached between 4750 and 5500 rpm.

From a standstill, the 1750 TBi Alfa 159 Saloon can reach the 0 – 62 mph benchmark in 7.7 seconds, before topping out at 147 mph. However it is the flexibility of the in-gear acceleration that sets the engine apart from its competitors; with 25 – 62 mph in fifth gear achievable in 11.5 seconds and 37 – 62 mph in sixth gear reached in just 8.9 seconds – this translates, in real world driving, to a more sporting driver experience consistent with a ‘flat’ torque curve and a constant delivery of power – perfect for confident overtaking and long distance driving.

In addition, the 1750 TBi version includes a mileage extension to 21,000 miles between routine maintenance intervals.

2.0 JTDM 170 BHP DIESEL ENGINE
Given that Alfa Romeo introduced common rail diesel technology more than 10 years ago on the Alfa 156, it should come as little surprise that it has now developed a new diesel unit that brings higher power and torque values, yet, at the same time, increases fuel efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions.

Alfa’s new 2.0 JTDM powerplant develops 170 bhp available at just 4,000 rpm, and its advanced multijet technology means that this new 2.0 JTDM unit delivers its maximum torque of 360 Nm between just 1750 rpm and 2500 rpm.

Significantly, the new 2.0 JTDM powered Alfa 159 covers the 0 – 62 mph sprint in just 8.8 seconds – less than one second off the pace of the more powerful 2.4 JTDM engine, on its way to a top speed of 136 mph.

CO2 emissions have been reduced to just 142 g/km.

NEW TRIM LEVELS FOR ALFA 159 RANGE
To coincide with the launch of these new engines, Alfa Romeo has introduced a new range structure which now features five trim levels – Turismo, Turismo Sport, Elegante, Lusso and TI.

First of the two new trim levels, Turismo Sport offers drivers sporty upgrades including 17’ sport alloy wheels, Blue&Me, sports seat cloth, sports leather steering wheel with remote audio controls and gear knob, and sports dials.

The new Elegante trim adds additional style to the already highly specified Turismo equipment, including rear parking sensors, visibility pack and luxury Alfatex® interior.

Each high specification trim level brings added choice in terms of comfort, refinement, technology and aesthetics.

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