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Irish Giulia

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15K views 118 replies 20 participants last post by  David P 
#1 ·
Looks like we'll be seeing the new Giulia on Irish roads soonish.
 
#2 ·
I'd read that there would be cars in showrooms in November, I'd presume those will be LHD as is the case across the water. I wouldn't expect to see any RHD until early 2017 at the earliest as from what I've read production on that has been delayed.

€100K for the QF, not such a huge shock I suppose even if it's only £59K across the water, the government need their cut ;)

Still looking forward to seeing the Giulia in the metal :thumbs: Unfortunately there's probably very little chance of seeing a QF.
 
#5 ·
Based on todays exchange rate, 33k is what the vrt works out at!
Either alfa are selling them very cheap in the uk due to the collapse in sterling, or the irish government really are grappling you by the hips with the trousers down at your ankles
 
#3 ·
Honestly, the prices for the "accessible to humans" versions surprise me a bit - 40k for the baseline diesel and petrol version aren't that bad and not much higher than the Italian prices. I was expecting that, after the motor racket tax was applied, the final figure would shoot up in the mid-50s.
 
#7 ·
Everyone was going to complain about the price, but honestly, you're getting a better car than a BMW, but you're still going to be asked for the same kind of money as a BMW for it.

€40k for the Giulia 2.2 150CV is still 1k less than the equivalent BMW (318d) and that is poorly equipped compared to the Giulia. BMW's entry price is lower, because its model range goes lower (there's no 115CV Giulia diesel to match the 316d)

The big question is finance. Almost everyone buying a BMW or Audi here is doing it on cod-yourself PCP plans because it brings the monthly payment down to about 400-500 a month (oh, and twenty grand at end of term, but honestly, would you be seen driving a four-year-old car? Best to sign up for a new one again).

Alfa won't sell a single car here unless they get into the same game, and undercut Audi/BMW on PCP monthly payments.
 
#8 ·
I think it seems reasonable value. Heaps better than any of the German dross and better equipped. I'd consider a new one in a few years but I'd be keeping it a long time if I do. You won't be getting me into a pcp deal Mr Marchionne.

So they better be some way decent in terms of reliability and ease of repair. Hopefully demos will be in dealers before Christmas.
 
#14 ·
I have to agree with you there... a top of the range 200bhp 2.0 petrol Super Sport for €42.5k is a good deal compared to the equivalent Germans. The big downside for me is the lack of manual gearbox. Still, I'll probably take one for a spin. I reckon a lot of new buyers will opt for the Super Sport, so when it comes to buying a used Giulia in 2-3 years time, there could be a good selecton of high spec models on the market.
 
#13 ·
So the calculator has been out. And to be honest I had given up on the prospect of buying a new Giulia. I wanted a spec that would at least match the 159 Ti spec with some extras, like satnav and be petrol. I'm done with diesel. Having looked at the competitors, in particular, the Jag XE, I thought it would be just too expensive.
Maybe I'm completely wrong on this but the Super Sport with a couple of small extras is coming in at €44,356 whereas the Jag XE R-Sport, spec'd out to a similar level is coming in at €58,660. So for me, it's great value and a no-brainer.
 
#15 · (Edited)
#17 ·
Agnelli have a Black diesel Giulia, Super Spec on display (sold already), they also have a Red petrol, Super Sport spec, coming in next week. Tractamotors have a Titanium silver on display as well. It was like a mini Alfa meet this morning.
I have to say I think it looks great in the flesh, although the black interior may be a little too black. Couldn't find much to fault with the look and feel. Very comfortable with plenty of space front and back. The reviews have mentioned flimsy controls and old looking graphics. They all looked and felt pretty good to me. I was going to say that the only fly in the ointment is the warranty, 3 years. But having a quick look at BMW and Audi it's the same. But they need to do better than just match them
The official launch is next week, the 23rd I think was mentioned.
 
#18 ·
I saw the Giulia today in the metal, it was a Montecarlo Blue 2.2 JTD 180Hp. For a start it looked stunning in that colour, loved the metallic flecks sparkling in the sun :cool: & a really nice set of 18" alloys on it :thumbs:

It's been a while since I drove an auto (last time was a Giulietta 1.4 M/A) & it took me a few minutes to get used to it (I only stood on the brake pedal once with the left foot :eek: :lol: )
Once I'd figured it out & had been driving for a few minutes I was fine, firstly in full auto in N mode it's very smooth & relaxing to drive, great for city driving or cruising along. Then I changed into D mode & pressed the loud pedal, this car really picks up speed quickly, & it's so smooth that you end up going a lot faster than you think you are going. After letting it in full auto for a while I then pushed the lever to the left which engages the manual selection, it's great fun changing up & down the gears.

Anyway for anyone considering one make sure you take a test drive, I'm sure you'll be impressed, hopefully so will many new customers who never owned an Alfa before or previous Alfa owners who have left the brand due to the lack of a suitable model in the range for years, hopefully this is the car which will really revive Alfa (the Stelvio will hopefully also help)

Here's the car I drove Alfa Romeo Giulia | Dan Seaman Motors
Thanks to Gavin for giving me the keys, I didn't even have to beg :D If any of the locals are looking for a test drive Gavin & the team will see after you, tell him David sent you (I'm not on commission, honest)


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#20 · (Edited)
Gonna add my 2 cents on the Giulia. I spent today checking it out along with the competition from Audi, BMW and Volvo.

First of all, the car itself. It's the same model David drove, 2.2 180bhp super lux. Quite striking to look at from the front, elegant from every other angle while never having the "phwoar" factor of the 159 or 156. In my eyes it's probably still the best looking car in its class considering it doesn't have a sports pack like the ti trim yet.

Inside the cabin really is a nice place to sit. Lovely driving position (Volvo and Audi much harder to get a nice sporting position in), nice size steering wheel, seems sensibly laid out although you'd need to live with it for a while to know all that stuff. The dash design is very nicely done, the screen integration is beautiful and the infotainment system seems slick to use. It really does feel well put together. The only bit that felt flimsy were the vents at the side but then the Audi ones felt exactly the same. Talk of cheap plastics is nonsense, the BMW felt much lower rent and I've never seen it mentioned in magazines.

Anyway, driving it: Believe the hype. This car is sensational. Having been so disappointed by my 159 I was worried this might be the same. After a few minutes behind the wheel it was clear there was no need for concern. Despite having 18 inch run flat tyres the ride is exceptionally smooth. I found a pretty crappy road to drive it on and it just isn't unsettled by anything. It's so much better than my 159 TI was which also had 18s. Where that would crash into bumps and tramline this smoothed them over. Zero body roll and very direct steering. It feels vastly more sporty than anything else I drove today but at the same time there was no trade off in comfort. The engine has tonnes of grunt and is pretty quiet, although I'd be going for petrol myself. It just doesn't feel like a big heavy saloon car like the 159 did. The a4 isn't in the same league, it's a passat in an expensive party dress (virtual **** pit is pretty class to be fair). I drove the 150bhp petrol 1.4tsi. What a load of ****e, you'd have to drive the nuts off it and it's utterly characterless. No other petrol available. When I said this the sales woman clearly didn't understand what I meant by "it doesn't have much torque down low". She clearly knew nothing about cars and was exactly how I imagined an Audi sales robot would be. "You're going to love virtual c0ck pit, it's so cool!"...Ugh.

I do not get Audi's. They are just expensive Skoda's. You get a nice interior but the engines are crap, the handling is dull and the styling is so so bland. And they are damn expensive.

The 3 series was grand. Nice to drive but under powered. Only 115bhp and the same price as the Alfa with less stuff. Not as sharp or fun as the Giulia and didn't ride as well despite having 17 inch wheels. Very expensive list price for what it is. Pcp deals look cheap at first glance though I'm sure you are paying somewhere for it.

Drove an s60 too just to compare. The only one with the ride comfort of the Giulia even with an r design pack. Didn't get a chance to see how it handled but I always find Volvo's relaxing rather than sporty. Seats are amazingly comfortable just like all Volvo's. Way better value than the Germans. You'd have a 245bhp t5 s60 for less than the entry level 3 series. Madness. The Volvo also felt by far the best built. Slightly cheaper looking but definitely better built. I sat in an xe too, they feel really cheap and flimsy. The Alfa, Audi and BMW all felt the same in terms of quality.

Unfortunately this car does not have a chance against Audi and BMW. It really is startling just how far behind Alfa have fallen in terms of dealerships. It's night and day. From the moment you walk in the door at Audi/BMW Cork you are bombarded with propaganda from ze Germans. The Audi Cork building is mega to look at and BMW is also a very nice building. They were also teeming with customers. You are offered tea /coffee and a selection of cars to drive. Lots of aspirational high end models all around the place. Then you go to Dan Seamans. The building itself is ugly and untidy and they had no brochures. There is also nothing to attract buyers in. They need a new show room, some abarths, a 124 spider and some more Alfa's. The Mitsubishi range is nice and will stand alongside the Alfa range nice. Some really good cars in their range. The salesperson in Dan Seamans was an absolute gentleman but the perceived buying experience is miles behind, he even tried helping me find a replacement engine for my forester. He seemed like he knew about cars unlike the guys in BMW and Audi who know nothing else. I actually don't think the Audi girl knew what an Alfa was when I mentioned it. Her only line really was that Audi, Mercedes and BMW are the only premium cars. Everything else is a level below obviously. Lexus would like a word I think. I also don't know how many premium cars share their engines with Skoda's.

Alfa have got the best car drivers car in the class by my reckoning but they aren't going to be able to make it count unless they help their dealers. The prices are competitive too.

I will definitely be considering a Giulia. Going to wait until a Veloce spec comes out and see if they bring a coupe out but I will have one. Maybe even new.
 
#21 ·
Good to hear you rating the Giulia so highly, especially when you'd driven some of the competition on the same day.

From what I've read so far there aren't currently any plans for the Veloce to be released in the UK but that may change in the future. I'd like to see a slightly more aggressive version including side skirts etc, not that the standard version doesn't look good but as with the Ti version of the 159 I think it'd make the Giulia that bit more special (without having to spend 100K for the QF ;) )
 
#22 · (Edited)
I'm sure it will come. They probably don't want to stop people from placing an order on one of the current trim lines by announcing it early.

It's nice that they have a competitive car anyway. I'd love a coupe to come out though. I'd put myself into serious debt to buy a coupe based on that platform. Probably a good thing it doesn't exist yet :lol:

I should also say RE: Dan Seamans, I prefer the way they dealt with me rather than the fake and insincere way BMW, or more particularly Audi, deal with you but they need some gloss and glamour and they also need to know a LOT more about the car. It wouldn't hurt.
 
#23 ·
Great report...I always like to torture them a bit when I find salespeople who know nothing about the product they are selling. In all honesty I did the same with the poor girl at the Alfa stand in Frankfurt last year, trying to figure out where the gearbox in the Giulia was. It may or may not have have been a shameless tactic to talk to her longer than necessary due to her being extremely attractive, mind you :titanic:

Aaaaaanyway, yeah, the "buying experience" is going to be a problem. Even the location of Dan Seaman's, for example, is quite an issue...basically hidden in a secondary of the secondary roads, in front of a business "park" with mechanics, a tire place (which I recommend, sound fella!) and an Italian food store which was always closed whenever I got there :tired:

Alfa need to up their game and not play on the same field as the Germans; Stay away from the old and tired "corporate executive" grayness. Introduce what is called "Italian flair". Plaster the walls of the dealerships with imagery of the racecars and drivers - Nuvolari, Sivocci, Fangio, Larini, Giovanardi; Don't offer watery americano but rent a proper Saeco/Gaggia espresso machine and fly in a barista from Naples (also, never clean said machine...that's how you achieve the real Italian coffee flavour :biglaugh:).

Everything should be an attack to the senses - paint the walls red and the floor black, if needed; Have Vivaldi, Verdi, Rossini play 24/7 and even some relatively recent Italian pop (stuff from the '70s/'80s can be excellent, e.g.: ). Videowalls showing Alfas from the '70s/'80s/'90s taking tracks all around Europe by storm.

Hire car enthusiast salespeople, put the boys in perfectly tailored dark suit & tie and the girls in red dresses/skirt suits; Have them convey the message that these cars aren't about going from "A to B", about "the environment", about showing your neighbour you "made it" with your "171 BMW/Audi/Merc"; they are mean driving machines hell bent on killing baby seals and feast on their blood for your enjoyment and pleasure like nothing else for the money...all the while looking as sharp as an Italian porn actor in an Armani suit and Ray-Ban's, of course.

Have "test drive people" scouting the roads around the dealership in order to bring test drives on the best bits - and encourage potential customers to drive like an Alfa should be driven. Or take the wheel themselves for a demonstration of such :driving:

So Alfa Romeo Ireland, you need a new head/director? I know a guy :thumbup:
 
#25 ·
Goddammit I like your plans H3llr4iser! I support your hostile take over bid 100% :lol:

You are dead right about not following the German way of doing things, they are the most uptight and rigid people in Europe for gods sake. Italians on the other hand just ooze flair, style and coolness. It should, and would, be so easy for Alfa to trade on this.

I was actually thinking the other day I'd love to sell Alfas. I think we'd be great at it, we've got the passion for the brand and the knowledge. Give me a call when you cement your position H3llr4iser. :biglaugh:
 
#26 · (Edited)
Yesterday a UK customer got a call from ARUK advising them that dealers are now taking orders for the Veloce.
He'll update to confirm later once he's spoken to his dealer.

Edit: The Veloce isn't yet available in the UK
 
#28 ·
As I mentioned elsewhere the Red Giulia QF was registered in December.
 
#29 ·
And on the topic of the Giulia QF, it'll feature on Friday's episode of The Grand Tour :thumbs:

 
#30 ·
#33 · (Edited)
I think Alfa / FCA are aiming their marketing effort carefully at the areas they're the most interested about - and have more chances on. Afterall, they don't have (yet?) the mighty publicity power of the VAG group or BMW.

The article in the Times exemplifies the attitude of the Irish motorist - "The real question now is whether enough people care enough to buy enough. "; Even the article, as good as a review it is, has a "sorry, it's actually a good car, I can't say otherwise!" tone - he knows well the kind of public he'll be reaching.

In the US, continental EU and even the UK the Giulia got mostly stellar reviews - some went as far as to "dare" saying it is indeed a better car than the 3-Series, rather than "meh, if you really don't want a BMW...".

The oddity is The Grand Tour, where they went for the editorial line of May and Hammond constantly slagging Alfa to **** Clarkson off...the drenched track didn't help either.

Last week I went through Munich airport for a flight connection - you can't spend 3 minutes in Terminal 2, specifically in the Schengen flights section, without seeing and hearing the Giulia; All the videowalls in the airport display the Veloce advert almost continuously.
 
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