The vehicle you see here, we're sorry to say,
doesn't actually exist. It's a rendering done up by the talents at X-Tomi
Design, projecting what a new Alfa Romeo Giulietta could look like. It's not the first time we've seen such a projection, but it is the
first we'd like to see actually produced.
The Giulietta is Alfa's
C-segment hatchback – going up against the Volkswagen Golf or Audi A3,
depending on how it's equipped. It was designed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti – one of
Italy's most accomplished designers prior to his retirement – and introduced
way back in 2009.
That's left the Giulietta growing a little long in
the proverbial tooth, and prime for replacement. Unfortunately the signs aren't
looking positive that such a vehicle will be produced in the near future. While
many luxury automakers are expanding their small-car offerings, Alfa is moving
upmarket instead – part of FCA chief Sergio Marchionne's broader strategy to
get away from these low-margin segments that have already seen the demise of
the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 (not to mention the Lancia Delta and Fiat
Bravo).
The Giulietta and the smaller MiTo, then, are likely
to go the way of the dodo. And given their ages, it likely won't be long. Who
knows, maybe once the brand is reestablished in the luxury market, it'll be
time to expand back down a notch. If and when that time comes, we hope the
resulting product, whatever it's called, looks something like this.
