Alfa Romeo: O Giulietta, Giulietta

The distinctive Italian beauty of Alfa Romeo's new Giulietta doesn't stop it from being a great everyday car.

Alfa Romeo hopes to double sales and give VW a nudge with the new Giulietta, which promises Italian sex appeal matched to everyday practicality.

What's new
Giulietta debuts Fiat's new compact platform in a body that's both bigger and lighter than its 147 predecessor.

Also new is its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, both built to cut weight and liberate more cabin space - hence the 350-litre boot.

We'll get two turbocharged engines, the award-winning 125kW/250Nm MulitAir 1.4 that debuted in the Mito, and the 173kW/340Nm TBi (Turbo Benzina injection) 1.7, tagged the 1750 as a nod to Alfa's history. It uses a variable displacement turbocharger and direct injection, and makes use of exhaust pressure waves to improve low-speed drive.

Alfa claims a decent 6.8-second zero to 100km/h sprint allied to a frugal 7.6l/100km thirst.

Both cars get the second-generation "DNA" function that tunes the transmission, throttle response and stability control to suit rain, normal or dynamic modes; and both feature the Q2 electronic differential.

The company line
Delivering a good look and reasonable performance is no longer enough, now buyers require practicality, safety and reasonable fuel and emissions performance, too, says Alfa NZ.

The Giulietta aims to do that, and bridge the gap between the Mito and 159. Alfa found just 118 buyers in New Zealand last year. But it expects the Giulietta alone to sell 140 in 2011, with numbers boosted by the auto's arrival in the third quarter.

What we say
The Giulietta certainly looks good, the upper window line and hidden rear door handle imparting a coupe feel to the practical five-door body, though rear three-quarter vision is compromised by its broad C-pillar.

The cabin is well laid out and designed to please aspirational buyers, with interesting surfaces and nice details like the rubber-covered rocker switches, another nod to Alfa's past.

Alfa has deliberately loaded the cars with spec, including Blue&Me Bluetooth to the parking sensors, climate-control air and cruise control for the $46,990 1.4. The up-spec $54,990 QV gets the larger motor; bigger, 18-inch alloy wheels; sports suspension with lower ride height, leather seats and Bose audio.

On the road
The DNA's normal setting is designed to help beat stringent Euro emissions taxes and is a touch too relaxed for this car's edgy flavour. You'll soon default to dynamic mode, which boosts performance considerably.

The 1750 is undoubtedly more powerful and the engine's a goodie. This isn't quite a hot hatch, yet its power means it's at its best well above the legal limit.

However, it's the 1.4 that's my favourite. It boasts flexible delivery that suits everyday cruising and back-road shenanigans, with the best of it on offer around the open-road limit. Best of all, its lighter weight means this car feels the most nimble, a bonus round town and when flinging it through corners.

Why you'll buy one
VW's Golf is too boring; this Giulietta is practical and far sexier.

Why you won't
Alfa build quality has improved out of sight in recent years, but not enough for your conservative tastes which anyway are offended by such obvious good looks.