Reviews
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ALFA ROMEO must believe first impressions count.
Because when it launched its Giulia, the first derivative from its €5bn Giorgio platform, it began at the top.
It tasked the Giulia Quadrofoglio Verde with jump starting the brand’s reputation, aiming the 375kW sedan at the jugular of Germany’s most established benchmarks.
But that’s not the only battle it needs to win in this war. There’s strong competition further down stream, where Alfa Romeo’s inserted its Giulia Veloce.
Dusting off the badge from the 1950s Giulietta Sprint, the Veloce is the second performance model in the range, occupying the rung between QV and Super variants.
Those 19-inch ‘telephone dial’ wheels, wrapped in 225mm wide rubber up front and 255mm-wide rubber out back, feature on the QV’s option list. While red brake calipers – two-piston at the front and single-piston at the rear – peer from behind its wheel’s curved spokes.
And Giulia Supers can spec a Veloce pack to add the same wheels, brake paint, and design details.
Alfa Romeo Giulia QV 0-295km/h autobahn run
Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo’s slipped an LSD between the Veloce’s rear wheels. Unlike adaptive dampers, the LSD can’t be optioned on lesser spec Giulias and differs to the QV’s more hardcore electro-clutch unit.
The most refined thing about the Veloce is the way it handles Victoria’s winding tarmac. There’s a supple feel to the way its dampers smooth off potholes and absorb bumps.
Their pliancy extends to the Veloce’s secondary ride, allowing it to rise and fall on a road with excellent body control, which it uses to cover ground at a rate.
That turbo 2.0-litre four feels as potent as Alfa Romeo claims and delivers power in a linear surge with the eight-speed auto. But it can’t rouse an emotional response.
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The oversquare engine stirs with a noise that’s equally coarse as it is angry, and we wished it could redline somewhere closer to 7000rpm.
Neither does the thin-rimmed steering wheel plumb back enough road texture. It also suffers, like most of the controls, from a lightness which isn’t welcome when dialling up commitment.
Perhaps this speaks loudest about the Giulia Veloce. Even though its LSD-equipped chassis and QV-esque looks suggest it’s up for much more.
First impressions count, but its the lasting one which settles this score. As we suspect it’ll work most effectively as a road car – a comfortable, quick tourer. And not a budget apex-honed QV missile.
3.5 out of 5 stars Like: Talented chassis; power delivery Dislike: Unrefined engine note; light steering
Specs Engine: 1995cc inline-4cyl, DOHC, 16v, turbo Power: 206kW @ 5250rpm Torque: 400Nm @ 2250rpm Weight: 1526kg 0-100km/h: 5.7sec (est.) Price: $71,895
