The hottest version of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon has been welcomed by just about everyone in motordom, not least those of us in the motoring press. In fact, I reckon it’s an acid test of your typical car hack.
Most of us in the review-writing part of this business spend a good chunk of our working lives worrying about bias – whether we’re responding positively to a car simply because it’s good, or because we happen to like it. But that can be a nice problem to have, or a reassuring one, at least.
Because if you’re not rooting for the Alfa Giulia ‘Cloverleaf’ to be really, really good, I’d wager it means you’re not that bothered about cars at all. What kind of autophile wouldn’t want Alfa to return to its old powers and bring us a really great alternative to the familiar fast German saloons?
The Quadrifoglio isn’t quite a world-beating sports saloon, but it is (and does) what we all want a modern fast Alfa to be (and do). It’s sensational to look at and handles more sweetly than almost any other four-door on the road thanks to its lightness, its directness, its perfectly balanced grip levels and its delicious surfeit of power.
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Mmmmm.....
I had a 156 V6 and didn't have a single problem with it. Mind you, it liked a drink...
It's the German brands that are poorly built and unreliable.
Not sure I agree..
I really, really like cars - I've owned loads but I like to think that I judge cars on their merits in the metal as opposed to 'wanting' them to be really good. The car marque carries no weight really, which is a good thing, as I only take things as they actually are. Plus I don't think Alfa really have made anything in the past 20 years that has ever cut the mustard compared to the Germans - so that explains my lack of passion regarding the 'want' bit.
If I'm honest I don't see myself ever owning an Alfa purely on the fact I'd never have the balls to spend my own money on it. I'd never be that confident in the build quality of the ongoing service issues.
Not sure I agree..
I really, really like cars - I've owned loads but I like to think that I judge cars on their merits in the metal as opposed to 'wanting' them to be really good. The car marque carries no weight really, which is a good thing, as I only take things as they actually are. Plus I don't think Alfa really have made anything in the past 20 years that has ever cut the mustard compared to the Germans - so that explains my lack of passion regarding the 'want' bit.
If I'm honest I don't see myself ever owning an Alfa purely on the fact I'd never have the balls to spend my own money on it. I'd never be that confident in the build quality of the ongoing service issues.