As a brand, Alfa Romeo is making a real effort to become a serious mass-market player. Years of producing characterful but flawed cars made Alfa a niche choice that appealed more to emotion than rationality. This isn't a formula for commercial success, especially in the lean economic conditions of today, when most buyers value reliability and residuals more than charm and flair. Alfa's innovative new MultiAir engines point to a shift towards building cars with more on-paper appeal, and the Giulietta has plenty more sensible features to boot, but Alfa is still keen to stir the soul, and these conflicting mantras mean the car is a slightly confusing proposition.
This contradiction is most obvious in the two highest-powered engine options (a total of five engines will be available at launch), which are the 1.4-litre MultiAir unit, producing 168bhp, and the Cloverleaf model, which squeezes 232bhp from its 1.7 litres. The latter is clearly aimed at that most accomplished of hot hatches, the VW Golf GTI.
The 1.4 is the same unit that powers the hot Cloverleaf version of the Mito supermini, but is more restrained in the context of the Giulietta. Official figures pitch overall economy at a very respectable 48.7mpg, which is achieved with the help of stop-start technology and long gear ratios.
Unlike the popping Mito, though, this version of its big brother lacks edge as the gearing dictates regular shifts to keep within the power band, and it's nearly impossible to pull away in anything apart from first gear, such is the lack of tractability down the rev range. The stop-start system also frustrates, such as the requirement for a manual restart if you momentarily undo your seatbelt. These are tolerable issues, though, and once up to speed the engine is enjoyably smooth.
The 1.7 Cloverleaf offers little more in terms of emotional appeal. There's much more power, of course, and 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds is fairly impressive, but the impression of range-topping performance and outright sportiness are diluted by the lack of special touches in the cabin. The striking body and smart alloys would have been complemented nicely by sportier seats and bespoke finishes on the inside, but the interior remains frustratingly straight-laced.
On the road, the Cloverleaf is a quick, focussed and enjoyable car, but comes across as competent rather than inspirational. One strange feature means the hazard warning lights come on under heavy braking, which might make sense in the rest of the Giulietta range, but is at odds with the ethos of a car pitched at performance drivers who might enjoy a track day now and then. However, the electronic diff and Dynamic driving mode do make for confidence-building poise, and both tight twists and sinuous curves are dealt with impressively.