Fiat stopped selling cars in the United States last year, but there's still an Italian-brand car you can buy here (other than a Ferrari).
It's the Giulia, one of two Italian cars made by Alfa Romeo.
Of course, it being Italian, and so something different, is only one reason to consider buying it.
Are there any others?
What It Is
The Giulia is a compact-size luxury-sport sedan made by Alfa Romeo. It competes with other compact-size luxury-sport sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.
But what makes it different, other than being Italian and so not as commonly seen in the U.S. as the Benz C, BMW 3 and Audi A4? For one — and it's a big one — it comes standard with a much stronger engine — 280 horsepower versus 201-255 in those others. For about the same — or even less — money versus its Germanic rivals.
And you can get a Giulia with an engine so strong it's almost surreal — 505 horses — in the Quadrifoglio version.
Giulia prices start at $44,280 for the base Sprint trim. The next-up Ti trim adds a panorama sunroof, heated seats and a larger (18-inch) wheel/tire package. It stickers for $46,320. For a sportier Giulia, there's the Veloce, which adds a limited-slip rear differential, faster steering, bolstered seats and an upgraded brake system with red powder-coated calipers.
This one lists for $52,420.
If you want even more sportiness, the $55,920 Estrema adds an adaptive suspension system, wider (19-inch) wheels with short sidewall sport tires and black powder-coated brake calipers set off with white "Alfa Romeo" script. A 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is also included, along with carbon fiber and aluminum interior trim.
The ultimate version of the Giulia, however, is the $81,960 Quadrifoglio, which replaces the otherwise-standard 2.0-liter turbocharged (and 280-horsepower) four that comes in other Giulias with the 505-horsepower V6 mentioned above — plus lightweight carbon fiber body panels and an "active aero" front splitter system that enhances high-speed stability.
What's New
A Lusso package is available for the Ti trim that bundles the 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with special two-tone leather seats.
What's Good
Standard engine is more powerful than rivals' standard engines.
Multiple trims/lots of options allow for more personalized choices.
Something different for a change.
What's Not So Good
Like other compact-size luxury-sport sedans, the back seat is tight.
It might be hard to find an Alfa dealer in your area.
Under The Hood
The Giulia comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine — the same size as many others in the class. But the Giulia's 2.0-liter turbo four does differ from most in one key respect: It is significantly more powerful (280 horsepower) than the standard 2.0-liter turbo fours that are standard in rival luxury-sport sedans like the Mercedes C300, the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard.
You can choose either rear-wheel drive or (optionally) all-wheel drive. Either way, this Italian stallion gets to 60 in just over 5 seconds. And it gets 24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway — only a few less than many economy cars with a lot less than 280 horsepower.
So, there's that.
But there's also something else, something very different — that thing being the Giulia's available twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. This one makes 505 horsepower.
It also revs to 7,400 rpm.
Not surprisingly, the Quadrifoglio version of the Giula is extremely quick — 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds.
On The Road
Somehow, the Giulia's standard 2.0-liter turbo four doesn't sound like all the other 2.0-liter turbo fours. Probably because Alfa wants you to (SET ITAL ) hear it.
There is less sound-deadening of the engine, which is a good thing in a car meant to appeal to people who like to hear the engine.
The 306 foot-pounds of torque produced by the four is maintained from 2,000-4,800 rpm, which gives the midrange and part-throttle punch of a much larger engine. You can alter some of the drivetrain's feels — such as shift points and sharpness of throttle response — by selecting any of the three drive modes: Dynamic, Natural and Efficiency.
And for even better sounds and feels, take a spin in the twin-turbo'd Quadrifoglio. You'll be glad you did.
At The Curb
This Alfa is elegant and aggressive at the same time — and clearly not from Germany. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The point is precisely that it's not from there, nor trying to look as if it were.
Just the right squat, too. And the upward cant of the Quadrifoglio's four exhaust tips is pure automotive art.
It all fits like a pair of Bruno Maglis.
But the fit can be tight for those in the back. This is equally true of all the models in this class, however. The Giulia, like the Benz C300, BMW 3 and Audi A4, are compact-size sedans and for that reason have compact-size rear seat accommodations and trunks. But the Giulia hasn't got appreciably less than its rivals in the rear seat legroom department. It actually has a fairly large-for-the-class (13.4-cubic foot) trunk that is larger than the BMW 3's 13-cubic foot trunk, the C300's 12.6-cubic foot trunk and the A4's 12-cubic foot trunk.
The Rest
One thing you cannot get in the U.S. is the Giuletta. This is the wagon version of the Giulia. That's a shame because it would eliminate the practicality problem by tripling the available usable space inside, and make this exotic car a feasible family car, too.
The Bottom Line
Something different for a change?
And for once?
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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