Alfa Romeo at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show

Essential style capable of conveying strong emotions, technical research that is always at the cutting edge, plus superlative road holding and driving satisfaction: these are the qualities that have always set Alfa Romeo apart in the world motoring scenario. The same values lie behind the Giulietta and the MiTo, the latest two models in the brand, which perfectly incarnate the marriage of design and technology, set in the very DNA of any Alfa Romeo, along with passenger room and comfort.
The concept of the Alfa Romeo stand at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show arises out of this perfect marriage between design and technology. The exhibition area is dominated by top-quality materials – glossy lacquer, leather, steel and mirrored walls – reflecting the interior mood of the cars on show. The flooring – featuring inlays of various materials with different shades of black and steel inserts – provides the perfect backdrop for the Giulietta and MiTo models and their latest new styling and technological features. The entire stand is rendered even more appealing by the imposing “Rosso Competizione” competition red wall which is the ideal background for the sinuous and unique car design of the vehicles on show, making them the absolute stars of the show. The backstage is set with lighted niches housing accessories from the Alfa Romeo Store.
The entire exhibition area perfectly expresses Alfa Romeo’s main mission: the industrial design of vehicles with state-of-the-art mechanics and engineering, featuring contemporary lines and shapes, that embody the concept of “design in motion” and emphasise the intrinsic brand qualities of comfort, dynamism and elegance. These are precisely the features which make an Alfa Romeo such a special car, a product that in everyday use turns the concept of simple "means of transport" into an all-round thrilling driving experience.
Indeed, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a powerful blend of performance, comfort and safety. Outstanding performance levels thanks to the turbo engines – all of which Euro 5 and featuring DNA system with electronic Q2 fitted as standard on all vehicles to adapt the car’s – personality to the driver’s needs and to the variable road conditions. This is demonstrated by the 235 HP 1750 TBi with the highest maximum torque in the world (340 Nm attained at just 1,900 rpm) and also the 105 HP 1.6 JTDM with the highest torque values in its category (320 Nm at just 1,750 rpm). In terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, excellent results have been obtained by the new “Alfa TCT” automatic twin dry clutch transmission teamed with the revolutionary 1.4 MultiAir Turbopetrol 170 HP engine (“Best New Engine 2010”) which take the CO2 emissions of the Giulietta to the record value (for comparable engines) of just 121 g/km. The running costs afforded by the Giulietta are also limited thanks, especially on the diesel versions, to the longest service intervals in its category, at 35,000 km.
Giulietta boasts outstanding comfort levels: not only in terms of driving, but also in terms of passenger room, featuring 5 comfortable seats without compromise and a regular-shaped 350 litre boot, as demonstrated by the width between wheel arches of 1023 mm, ranking it at the top of its category.
Lastly, the Giulietta is the safest compact car ever according to Euro NCAP (5-star rating with an overall score of 87/100 according to the 2010 rating): an extraordinary result obtained thanks also to the new “Compact” architecture provided as standard on the entire range of active and passive safety devices and brand new solutions such as the “pre-fill” function of the braking system, which reduces the brake response times in the event of emergency braking.
Beguiling, comfortable, safe and at the cutting-edge of technology, the Giulietta is winning over the European public and the international press, who have awarded it 16 prizes so far, including: “Auto Europa 2011” (Italian Automotive Specialised Press Association), "Die besten Autos 2011" (Auto Motor und Sport, Germany), "Greek Car of the Year 2011" (Automotive press, Greece), “Volante d’oro 2010” (Auto Swiat, Poland), “Design Award 2010" (Auto Bild, Germany), "Auto Trophy 2010" (AutoZeitung, Germany), Trophée 2011 (Argus, France – in the "Compacte" category for the Alfa Giulietta 1.6 JTDM 105), "Best Car in Class 2010" (Bilmagasinet, Denmark) and "Women’s car of the year 2010" (Zurnal, Slovenia).
Two models of the multi award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulietta are on show in Geneva: a 235 HP Quadrifoglio Verde 1750 TBi Rosso Competizione (in competition red) and a Distinctive 1.4 MultiAir Turbopetrol 170 HP "Alfa TCT" Grigio Antracite (in anthracite grey) with Start&Stop fitted as standard in order to minimise fuel consumption (5.2 litres/100km in the combined cycle) and CO2 emissions (121 g/km). Specifically, the “Alfa TCT” – which will later also be available with the 2.0 JTDM 170 HP – guarantees driving comfort and a sporty feel well above those offered by conventional automatic transmissions combined with improved efficiency and lower fuel consumption.
At the Motor Show there will also be a slot for the lively 235 HP 1750 TBi in the exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde version, a legendary symbol which has competed on tracks all over the world. Only available on this engine type, this special trim level is distinguished by its sporty lowered ride setting, 17" wheels (18" as an option), an enhanced braking system with callipers painted Alfa red, as well as sporty interiors which include sporty leather and microfibre upholstery. All designed to guarantee the best in driving pleasure and segment-leading active and passive safety. It also offers reduced fuel consumption for this power rating: the “Quadrifoglio Verde” is thus reinterpreted for today, combining the utmost driving pleasure with greater environmental awareness for eco-conscious and ecosystem-friendly sportiness.
With particular reference to the infotainment setup on board, the equipment of each Giulietta on display is very rich, starting with “Blue&Me–TomTom”, the latest development of the Blue&Me system. This is a fully integrated system that allows you to manage telephone, navigation and all necessary driving information functions on a practical colour touch-screen. The device is the result of a partnership between Fiat Group Automobiles and TomTom, the European leader in portable navigation systems, and integrates with the car’s other systems thanks to the Blue&Me system. In addition, the pubic can admire the “RadioNav” satellite navigator that constitutes the new generation of entertainment and satellite navigation developed by Magneti Marelli for Alfa Romeo. The system incorporates a satellite navigation system, radio with dual tuner, one dedicated to traffic information reception (TMC Pro), the MP3 CD player and European maps loaded onto an SD card that speeds up data access and route calculation times. To guarantee the greater sharpness and definition of images, it is equipped with a high-definition 6.5 inch colour display
The Alfa Romeo stand would not have been complete without the MiTo model which, for the occasion, presents MY 2011 available for purchase across all the major European countries from April. Some of the new features include the introduction of new exterior colours and new fabrics for the interiors, the availability of new optionals and the introduction of technologies to enhance comfort and driving feel. In addition, the exclusive “Quadrifoglio Verde” trim level will be revamped with new and distinctive styling features.
Precisely to allow the public to appreciate fully the dual spirit of the “most sporty mini ever”, the sporty spirit and the elegant one, that a powerful “Quadrifoglio Verde” 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 170 HP is on show in Geneva (awarded Best New Engine of the Year by an international panel of experts) equipped with new Sabelt sporty seats with a carbon fibre backrest and a stylish version equipped with the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 135 HP teamed with the innovative “Alfa TCT” twin-clutch automatic transmission and the Start&Stop system. It is the first time ever that this version is available in the new exterior colour “Bronzo Metal” (bronze metal) teamed with the new Tecnosilk two-tone (bronze and black) interior upholstery: two highly appealing features which emphasise the elegant spirit of the model.
Lastly, brochures and certain dedicated features at the stand will be introducing visitors to the products of FGA Capital, a joint venture of Fiat Group Automobiles and Crédit Agricole specialised in the automotive segment. The finance company is operative in all the major European markets, and in Switzerland with Fidis Finance, with a sole mission: supporting the sales of all Fiat Group Automobiles brand vehicles by offering innovative financial products with high added value services targeted to the dealership network, private customers and companies.

Source: fiatgroupautomobilepress.com