Successful year of Alfa Romeo. Thanks largely to the Giulietta model.

The year 2011 was very successful for the brand Alfa Romeo , whose market share in Europe, thanks to the success of Giulietta increased from 0.8 to 1%. Giulietta reached, respectively, in Europe the market share of 2.8% and Italy up 14.5% in the segment hatchbacks and this is the best, by far, the result obtained by Alfa Romeo in this market segment.

Specifics are as follows: in 2011 about 80,000 cars registered in Europe Giulietta, of which 45% (approx. 35 000) in Italy alone. The highest number of registrations in foreign markets Alfa Romeo Giulietta has achieved in France (more than 9200 units), the UK (over 7,000 pieces) and Germany (more than 6300 units). In Poland, " Alfiści "bought 927 units of this model, the Alfa Romeo brand recorded a sales increase of 38%. Since the launch, coming from the whole world sing of orders already on the almost 140 000 vehicles. Preferred versions of the model are more expensive, but very well equipped: Distinctive and Exclusive, which selects about 90% of customers.

In terms of engines, popular among the higher-capacity versions.
And so, for example, the 1.4 MutiAir the 170 HP is 15% of contracts, 7 times more than the average for the segment in this power category. The most popular engine is still the 105-horsepower 1.6 MulitiJet, mounted in 35% of cars sold.
Body color of choice is white Ghiaccio White, remembered probably multimedia advertising, which is a popular 35% of buyers, while the red - so "essential" for the range of the Alfa brand, which represents about 6% of sales. Speaking of red, it should be emphasized interest in a range of sporting packages Giulietta , who ordered nearly half of buyers versions of the model Distinctive and Exclusive.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta conquered 'the place' hearts wide and diverse clientele. Buyer Giulietta has an average of 40 years and secondary education / higher, and the fifth shoppers are women (according to the general trend of the market). People with a family a little more than half of the users - compared with an average segment of 20%. The last two values ​​illustrate the kind of inversion of the trend of destination Alfa Romeo, which provides customers with a great recognition for the elegance and functionality that car.
It should be noted that the Giulietta is not only appreciated by our customers, as it has since its debut has gained many awards and accolades from national and international press.
The reasons for this success are clear and really simple. Giulietta was preserved because the promises made at the time of its launch market:

• excellent driving dynamics and driving pleasure
• high quality and reduced operating costs
• comfort and convenience
• high security level of active and passive.

Giulietta is part of the best tradition of Alfa Romeo, cultivating its legacy in terms of the dynamics on the road, without compromising fuel economy and comfort every day.
The secret lies in the extraordinary performance of continuous technological development, what is the best expression of the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta:

• Compact design and use of materials with high strength, allowing construction to reduce weight
• Dual Pinion steering and sophisticated suspension system wheels
• Alfa selector driving dynamics DNA and award-winning MultiJet engines and MultiAir.

It is this innovative design solutions, Giulietta's success. The unusual offer the technological Giulietta dual-clutch automatic transmission complements the Alfa TCT.

Speaking of the perfect car design, both in terms of performance and everyday functionality, it should be stressed that security has always been a priority for designers of Giulietta and her clients. In addition to dynamic properties, Giulietta offers unique features fitted as standard in every version, which affect the safety of driving, including:

• Alfa DNA system with electronic limited slip differential Q2 (will transfer torque to the outside wheel when cornering, to avoid understeer and increase traction for improved steerability)
• DST system (podpowiadający driver evasive action in an emergency by palpable pulse on the steering wheel)
• prefill system (to ensure a performance brake system in an emergency)
• and
  • system of active anti-whiplash head restraints
  • three-point seat belts with pre-tensioners (for driver and front passenger)
  • six airbags as standard equipment
  • stability control VDC (ESP)

This type of equipment provides a record level of active and passive safety, as evidenced by the recognition Giulietta as the safest compact car hatchback in the history of EuroNCAP tests. This is even more important, despite the adoption of more stringent standards test by EuroNCAP and the emergence of the market a number of new competitive models, Giulietta is the undisputed reference point for safety-class sedan. Excellence in meeting the exacting standards of quality Giulietta owes engineering in all respects literally. Thank you, for example, the excellent work of suspension in the horizontal plane and vertical Giulietta passenger comfort among the best in its class. The same is true in the case of sound insulation of the passenger compartment, which is due to a 25% thicker windows and double door seals, compared to the competition is most effective in a variety of bodywork and frame stress driving "cobblestones" at 50 km / h .

Turning to the interior of the car, Giulietta can combine a truly sporty and the associated design and everyday functionality. Its strengths are high quality materials dashboard and cabin ergonomics, and therefore influences the comfort and pleasure of use. Uncompromisingly rethink the luggage space, giving it a regular shape with a width between wheel arches 1023 mm, resulting in a maximum load capacity of 350 liters. And it is precisely for this kind builds success Giulietta elements that appealed to a broad clientele, including families.
Leading Giulietta, I feel the dynamics of motion in dimension never before. Just as true, and racial Alfa Romeo Giulietta also retains the smallest compared to the competition level body tilts on the arc, and thus driving stability when cornering.

We now turn to the facts that illustrate the highest quality engineering and construction of the new Giulietta. Let's start with maintenance: in comparison with the competition Giulietta must "perform" their least during the first 3 years of use or the 90.000 km course.
This is a contribution to the cost, and thus recognize the Giulietta for the car "economic", not only for individual users as well as fleet operators (eg Italy) - with a clearly increasing trend in other leading and well-known European companies.
Another proof of the high quality of Giulietta is its residual value, which according to independent institutions (including Eurotax) ranks highest in comparison with other vehicles in this segment. After 12 months, this figure in the Italian market is 68.5%, UK 77.5% and 66.9% Spanish, but also in other countries Giulietta clearly ahead of its competitors in this respect.

Extremely useful are the opinions of users: 98% expressed satisfaction with the purchase and operation, and nearly all (90%) are willing to recommend the purchase of another Giulietta, is 15% above the statistical average for the new models soon after they are marketed.
Consumer research shows that the most satisfying features of Giulietta is fun to drive, ride comfort and reduced fuel consumption and the phenomenon that increases customer satisfaction with vehicle mileage. And that fuel consumption data reflect performance close to ideal proportions of operating costs, undergoing further improved by using an automatic double-clutch transmission TCT.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta effective witnesses against the general notion that excellence in performance, sending the overall efficiency and economics of operation of vehicle / fuel consumption. The new automatic transmission Alfa TCT shows its superiority over how praised-speed manual gearbox as standard Giulietta. As you can see, both engines associated with the transmission TCT, have better acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h at a lower level of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere.
As for the ratio of CO2 to power output, Giulietta is the leader of his class, both in gasoline and diesel. Just compare Giulietta 1.4 MultiAir 170 HP with the gear TCT of VW -powered Golf 1.4 TSI with 160 PS with DSG to support the conclusion that the Giulietta consumes 0.8 liters of fuel per 100 km less at the lower of 18 g / km CO2 emissions. To match Giuliettcie this respect, the VW Golf would have to "get rid" 65 horsepower and an automatic gearbox.

In summary: Alfa Romeo Giulietta, heir to the glorious traditions of his brand, the car combines superior handling and performance characteristics of traveling comfort and cutting-edge solutions in virtually every point of view. Wide range of modern technology complements innovative automated dual clutch Alfa TCT (Twin Clutch Transmission).
Alfa Romeo Giulietta, is also a car that in addition to its all above mentioned values, can boast an overall concern for the environment.
This allows you to count on increased participation in the European hatchback car market by about 10%, and the Netherlands - up to 30%.
Globally, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta has a chance to compete in the markets prefer automatic gearboxes, such as Japan, and Australia.
Since the start of sales of the demand for cars equipped with automatic boxes Alfa TCT is 15% of all requests. This is a result of exceeding the European average, which heralds a significant potential and opportunities for future success.

Alfa TCT - probably the best automatic transmission in its class.
Equipped with two dry clutches, transmission Alfa TCT (Twin Clutch Transmission) art, is the benchmark in its class in terms of labor efficiency to the level of fuel consumption and emissions. In the car, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta works with 170-horsepower 1.4 TB MultiAir gasoline and diesel 2.0 JTDM with the same power. In comparison to the classic automatic transmission with converter-converter, TCT is characterized by a higher ride comfort and sporty verve clear, with a noticeably smoother operation and more economical fuel consumption. It is worth noting that the Alfa TCT causes a decrease in fuel consumption as compared with similar versions of a car with manual transmission. This is achieved through the integration of "smart" controllers of the engine and gearbox TCT to optimize performance of the entire powertrain.
Alfa TCT transmission can operate in automatic mode or sequential, depending on the preferences of the driver. Manual shifts are made by pressing a lever ergonomic "up" or "down" and / or using the optional paddles on the steering column. Additionally, there is the possibility of individualized "personality" car in terms of comfort, performance, safety and fuel consumption using a selector characteristics and style of driving the Alfa DNA

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Alfa TCT version is powered by a 170-horsepower gasoline engine 1.4 TB MultiAir ("Best New Engine of the Year 2010"). Top speed is 218 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes just 7.7 seconds. Despite such outstanding performance, the Giulietta has a particularly low fuel consumption - 5.2 l/100 km in combined cycle and CO2 emissions of -121 g / km and is the most environmentally friendly and fuel-economical car in the compact class with a gasoline-fueled. In this regard, higher than competitive vehicles with much lower power and performance, including those equipped with manual gearboxes.
Diesel engine 2.0 JTDM 170 HP provides no less impressive performance. In comparison with the version of "manual" to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h decreases from 8 to 7.9 seconds, fuel consumption (combined) from 4.7 to 4.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions for the engine to a record of this power wartości119 g / km (124 g / km for the manual transmission version). Due to the low operating costs and fuel economy Alfa Romeo Giulietta is also an ideal vehicle for fleet use.

Conceptually, the Alfa TCT consists of two parallel like gearboxes - for odd and even gears - each with a separate dry clutch, which allows activation of the next gear when the previous one is still slurring. Shifting occurs in a simple and seamless way of alternating activation coupling (ie the two gears), ensuring the continuity of power transfer, and therefore traction wheels. Compared with a conventional TCT automatic transmission (equipped with a converter Converter), is dominated by a greater sense of driving dynamics and driving comfort due to the uninterrupted transmission of torque, the possibility of a faster gear changes without noticeable loss of power and freedom to choose sequential or automatic mode. TCT can also reduce fuel consumption by up to
10%.

Automated Alfa TCT uses two dry clutches, which among other advantages, allow a natural integration of the drive unit with Start & Stop, which reduces fuel consumption (particularly in urban traffic), but is not always available in the set with traditional automatic transmissions.
High power circuits proper activation of electrohydraulic clutch and gearbox ensures high efficiency of their operations. Practically negligible time shift can be further reduced depending on the position of the sector, the Alfa DNA system activation Electrohydraulics TCT operates only when needed to reduce energy losses.

The presence of Alfa TCT also allows for deep integration of other systems of the car in the most optimal way. To ensure the best handling characteristics and performance on the road, according to the preferences of the driver, the TCT box works with the Alfa DNA system, brakes and engine control and stability control (VDC). This enables the automatic identification of road conditions, the incline and the focus turns at an angle to optimize vehicle driveability. With the speed of data transmission gear selection, the control torque given off and the brake modulation takes place in real time. And so, for example, cornering speed change may depend on the current speed and selector settings DNA in Normal mode, shifting is subordinated to the pursuit of comfort, in Dynamic mode priority is driving dynamics. All Weather mode and after activation system ASR / VDC power and performance of the engine with the gearbox TCT is subordinated to ensure maximum stability on the road. During hill starts, Alfa TCT coordinates the Start & Stop system and brake with Hill Holder function to prevent the vehicle from rolling out of control.

The daily life of the driver may also facilitate the "creep" ('creeping') - for smooth starts from the place with parking, traffic jams, or from directing traffic lights just after releasing the brake pedal (without acceleration).
The significant advantages of Alfa TCT gearbox should also be flexibility, compact and compact design and the use of two clutches dry, allowing the highest among the automatic transmission effect on fuel economy. This is the first in the world of gearbox capable of transmitting the maximum torque of 350 Nm, which means that, while maintaining the advantages of previously presented, it can work seamlessly with the powerful Diesel 2.0 JTDM 170 HP without having to reduce its full potential. Friction clutch built for unlimited durability, without replacement, in contrast to traditional couplings. Comparing the dry and wet clutch, it is fair to say that in the first case, energy loss occurs only during a short slip when changing gear and accelerating. The wet clutch - still working in an oil bath, hence the energy losses due to viscous friction (viscous), so characteristic of conventional automatic transmissions, even when stationary. These boxes also require forced cooling with oil, and therefore constant flow of energy to drive the oil pump - completely unnecessary in the case of dry clutches. For this reason, to act "wet" automatic transmissions required is also increased by 4.8 liters (compared to the boxes with dry clutches) gear oil, causing yet more weight gain and loss due to spatter the working gears.
Analysis of all the phenomena presented provides a basis to conclude that the automatic transmission with dry clutches - such as Alfa TCT - allows the comparison of transmissions with clutches of "wet" to reduce fuel consumption in the range of 6%.

Source: FAP

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