Design Review: Alfa Romeo Giulia
Despite having the right raw ingredients Alfa’s latest sedan is still frustratingly compromised
The recent history of Alfa Romeo’s midsize cars is one of unfulfilled promises. The 156 and 159 came onto the scene with legendary Italian style, only to be let down by quality, dynamic, and packaging shortcomings that ultimately left them both decidedly in the second division of European premium cars.
With the new Giulia, substance is finally back below the surface. Performance, handling, and, of course, the premium front engine/rear drive layout of their competitors, all mean that for the first time in a generation, Alfa Romeo is truly back in the performance sedan game that the Americans, Chinese, and traditional European market are clamouring for. But does the Giulia live up to the potential, and the expectations, of the Alfisti who have been waiting years while FCA got the car to market?
Proportions
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1 More than skin deep
The cab-rearward stance, with a long hood and the A-pillar set well behind the front wheel, ensures that the new car’s rear-wheel drive layout is clear at a glance.
2 Too similar?
With very short front overhang and a longer rear overhang (especially on the Quadrifoglio, with its massive exaggerated exhaust shrouds), this Giulia looks dramatically different to its 159 forbear, but very similar — arguably too similar — to its BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 benchmarks.
3 Soft power
A bulging hood, cabin, and sloping trunk, paired with soft fender surfaces all around, create a slightly lumpy appearance compared to its German rivals. That could work to the Giulia’s benefit however, as many will translate this to power or muscularity versus a perceived Teutonic stiffness.
4 Short deck
Following a trend set by the Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA, the Giulia has a very short sloping rear deck that creates a more coupé-like appearance than the very ‘notchback’ 159. This is a smart move that also makes it appear more compact than it really is.
5 Fading away
A strong concave feature line extends rearward from the aero vent behind the front wheels to create a sense of movement, but it disappointingly fades away in the rear door leaving a soft rear fender just begging for definition and a connection to the more taut rear section. The vent itself disappears on the non-Quadrifoglio version, with a simple soft surface filling the hole, but the feature line remains.
6 Missed opportunity
The DLO is oddly generic, with a strong BMW flavour and nothing to set it apart from the crowd in profile. The lack of connection of the DLO to the door shut line only serves to accentuate its derivative, ‘Hofmeister kink’ appearance.
