[ssrock64]

The headlights on the new Giulia give it a very generic look.

I believe you're right about the headlights, but the entire lower section of the front fascia is also just standard European sports sedan fare. The only thing keeping it Alfa on the front half of the car is the central grille and the hood line stemming from it.

 

[jimmers]

  No love for Alfa's new one ?
 

That picture is from 2010 - the "2013 model"
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/alfa-romeo/2013-alfa-romeo-giulia-ar102091.html
same site's picture of 2016 model here
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/alfa_romeo-giulia/ke3472.html

 

[gikigill]

Still too generic. Not what Alfa is famous for.

 

[Hutnicks]

As far as 4 door sedans go just what, in that arena is Alfa famous for?

 

[billybob_jcv]

Saw a great show in a small venue last night by Pat Benatar and Spider Geraldo. She still sounds great - obviously she doesn't have the same pipes she had at 23, but still great! Geraldo surprised me with his excellent guitar work - I guess when listening to her songs you are so focused on her voice that you don't notice there are some really excellent riffs happening as well.

Crummy cell phone video here:


[VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZScpGHtR0o[/VIDEO]


[VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIUs5dJIgck[/VIDEO]

 

[billybob_jcv]

File this under the category "I don't know why, but I like this thing..."

It's completely useless, but I really like the look of this thing. You can really see the Blastolene heritage in its design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozZ_UfSRYS4

Here's another video of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeNLMN_RqSI

 

[Hutnicks]

Sorry man. That whole setup just screams chopped channeled and blown John Deere to me.  Probably pulls a mean sledge though.

 

[billybob_jcv]

I think we have already firmly established that my inner redneck often comes out at surprising times...

 

[ssrock64]

  As far as 4 door sedans go just what, in that arena is Alfa famous for?

I mentioned the 159 earlier, and the 164 is fairly well-regarded as well.

 

[Hutnicks]

 
I mentioned the 159 earlier, and the 164 is fairly well-regarded as well.

You don't think this one measures up?

 

[ssrock64]

 
You don't think this one measures up?

In style, no. In performance, I think it will. Alfa Romeo's sedan designs always had some idiosyncrasies in each generation that made them truly unique in the premium sedan market, and I just don't see anything particularly different about the new Giulia. I do admit that the production model looks better than what we were viewing earlier, but it still doesn't look as unique as a traditional Alfa sedan. That doesn't make it a bad car by any means, but I'm afraid that Alfa may be losing their way stylistically when it comes to their lower- and mid-tier models.

 

[Hutnicks]

 
In style, no. In performance, I think it will. Alfa Romeo's sedan designs always had some idiosyncrasies in each generation that made them truly unique in the premium sedan market, and I just don't see anything particularly different about the new Giulia. I do admit that the production model looks better than what we were viewing earlier, but it still doesn't look as unique as a traditional Alfa sedan. That doesn't make it a bad car by any means, but I'm afraid that Alfa may be losing their way stylistically when it comes to their lower- and mid-tier models.

Or like everyone else. Cad Cam optimized for production design has taken root and variances between makes becomes slimmer every day. We are left with subtle little details that give the vehicles the ghost of the personalities they once had in limited production hand styled days of yore.
 
Some day all sedans will be Audi's

 

[gikigill]

You forgot my 166. Very pretty, IMHO.

 

[Hutnicks]

You forgot my 166. Very pretty, IMHO.

Now, funny you should mention that as the 166 is almost a perfect example of the point. From the incepted version and original production model the design of late 90's is clearly evident and shows from the nose back an almost vintage Alfa flowing style.
 
 We then move on to the "facelifted" version, and while still handsome in an AR way it is unmistakeably moving into the pressed and folded, little less starch if you please, genre, which has become the standard. What a difference 5 little years makes.

 

[billybob_jcv]

Am I wrong in putting Alfa sedans in the same general category as Renault, Peugeot & Saab? All of those just seem to always be in the quirky column - interesting to look at, but I wouldn't actually buy one over a BMW, Mercedes or Lexus. Of course, in the USA, good luck getting parts & service.