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Veloce in the UK speculation

3K views 25 replies 17 participants last post by  goram 
#1 ·
Keeping a careful watch on developments on the Veloce, and obviously just speculation at the moment...

1. Do we think the Veloce will ultimately come to the UK?

2. If so, what do we think the decision hinges on?
 
#2 ·
1- I bloody well hope so. I have heard that it will but ARUK claim not to know.
2- it's a good question. Surely they can't leave a gaping hole between a 200BHP petrol and the QV? If they are wanting to take the fight to the BMWs and Audis of this world- they will need the Veloce to do it. The decision probably hinges on the 4WD conundrum that someone was chatting about the other week. The cost of making a RHD version (i think).

I just hope they do or it's a slightly dull S3 for me in the next 18 months.
 
#8 ·
At the Glasgow Giulia event, I asked the guy from ARUK about the 280hp version, at the time the Veloce hadn't been announced yet, so I just called it the 280hp petrol.
He said he had put the business case forward to Alfa Romeo head office, and was waiting now. He mentioned engineering challenges for the 280hp that would need sign off. Not sure whether that meant converting to RHD or not....I am not sure why that would be an issue at all tbh! It's the same lump as the current 2l presumably but with different turbo/intercooler/mapping or whatever?

I dont think the Veloce will arrive in UK in full i.e. 4WD etc, they don't seem to be acknowledging the existence of a market for that here. I HOPE it does as BMW bringing X Drive here shows there IS a market outwith quattro Audis etc. However, I'd happily settle for it in RWD only :D

If the Stelvio is also coming to UK, there surely can't be an engineering issue with 4WD and RHD.

I'll be holding out till later next year anyway, don't want to be sitting in a PCP unable to get out if the Veloce does hit.
 
#9 ·
The Veloce was announced in Paris a good 9 months after the original mainland Europe launch - I think we will see something similar here so maybe October next year.
I've spoken to Alfa Romeo people three times at various events and they have all said they same thing - when or if it happens, it will be RWD. 4WD is being kept for the Stelvio.
 
#10 ·
Again, how can Alfa not have 4wd in RHD form for Giulia when the Stelvio, using the same architecture, will be released here with 4WD?
 
#12 ·
Pure and simple. Alfa sales people in the uk seem to know nothing about the car in general or what we might be getting.

Its the blind leading the blind and I'm seriously thinking after owning 10 Alfas, can I be bothered with the Giulia and all the useless information they give you

I phoned up Alfa and was given a load of sales talk and told there was a hybrid Giulia too btw
 
#14 ·
I know the feeling. I've spoken to 4 different people in a dealer and the last one, the Giulia "expert" didn't know the difference between 2 packs which can be found on the online configurator.

I suspect that a lot of sales folk are too interested in selling Jeeps, Citroens, Fiats, Suburus and any other brands they've had to sell to keep the dealer afloat whilst Alfa had only 2 main stream models available for years. At least you can get information about these other brands and a delivery date.
 
#15 ·
Interesting. Today on the web I found an Australian news article which gives direction to Veloce availability and configuration in RHD markets:

https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-news/2017-alfa-romeo-giulia-veloce-announced

It appears the Veloce will be available in RHD Australia (and probably New Zealand) from Q1 2017. However they will likely just choose the Petrol version and also they say it will be 2WD because of an incompatibility with the drivetrain for RHD:

However, there will be some differences. The Giulia’s Q4 all-wheel drive system – which sends 100 percent of drive to the rear wheels until traction loss is detected – is not compatible with a right-hand drive firewall and thus unavailable for our market. Aussie Veloces will be rear-drive only.

I suspect the UK will also get the Veloce next year in 2WD configuration....
 
#16 ·
Paul Jones @ Chris Variava seemed quite knowledgeable when I spoke to him - he said he was the branch manager / sales manager. If anyone is looking for someone that might know something he's worth a shot!

But yeah it is a bit disheartening when you can't get any concrete answers and the goalposts seem to be moving all the time. BMW just announced the new 5 series, not on roads until next year I don't think, and I bet if you ask a dealer about them they will be rehearsed and know what to tell you.

Does make me a bit concerned about the overall ownership experience for early adopters. E.g. warranty issues with new cars/rattles etc - taking it into a dealer who doesn't have a scooby what to do with it and constantly checking with ARUK etc. I don't think it's going to be pretty for the first 6 months or so!
 
#19 ·
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