Alfa Giulia Speciale - Why buy a German saloon ?!

[@markhamilton7289]

had one for a week then a jaguar xe for 2 weeks. people love the jag but after the alfa it felt really loose and bouncy. the alfa was just a very very very nice car to drive.

[@PetrolPed]

They have a lovely driving feel :-)

[@edzskylinegtr1]

Just bought one with red leather love it

[@PetrolPed]

Nice :-)

[@Sam-W]

Please buy the 2.0t petrol, the diesel feels like a tractor compared to it. I have one for 4 months now, best car I ever owned!

[@mattylf1]

Nice review. I think this looks a lot better than the rivals, it’s also a bit different. I drive an Alfa 156 when they first came out and that was great fun.

[@PetrolPed]

I agree. If you want something a little different then this should be considered.

[@richyhu]

Nice review Peter. I actually had the 210PS 2.2 Diesel Veloce as a rental car in Italy last summer. Spent around 10 days in it and was really impressed. Yes, the interior can feel a little basic compared to an Audi, but it does the job pretty well and the engine was fantastic - the perfect holiday cruising car. I found it extremely comfortable to drive over long periods. Even in Italy where they are now quite common it still turned heads when you parked up and every petrol station attendant I met complimented me on it. The only downside for me was the boot space was a little limited.

[@PetrolPed]

Great comment. Thanks for this :-)

[@richyhu]

Thanks - the other thing I forgot to mention, and I agree with you on was that even on the 2.2 diesel, the steering feel was really, really good - very quick, but always extremely accurate and balanced on the road.

[@jijdom]

How was the diesel sound? Peopel complain about the diesel sound

[@tommyhall7043]

Have had many German saloons, can say hole hearty Alfa beats them all! Sure not as refined interior but….what a car

[@catherinecusack644]

Hi., I've got the speciale , great review , regarding the gear stick , you need to push the bottom on back to move between D R & N .... however you can also put it into drive by pulling the right paddle as long as foot is on the brake ... also auto handbrake won't come off unless you have seat belt on .... but you can change it in options anyway But good fair review , I love mine and had c class before

[@PetrolPed]

Hi Catherine, thanks for the info. As on owner I am glad you enjoyed the review :-)

[@catherinecusack644]

Petrol Ped it's actually my husband ! But yeah the car is great and something very different to anything on the road !

[@jansingh9680]

Thank you for a great and honest review, it is by any means a beautiful car with full of soul.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers 👍

[@carshizz1185]

Nice review! Such a pretty car, it's reassuring that it goes (and stops!) as well as it looks. Well done Alfa.

[@PetrolPed]

Certainly stops well !

[@charlesklapmeijer6481]

Nice review and into detail 100% correct. I drive myself a Stelvio 2.0 Q4 tuned by AR itself up to abt 300 bhp. Drove before BMW & Audi.The Alfa is simply more enjoying to drive, fast and after 70.000 km no issues at all. Love the interior brown leather, alu trimmed, great seats too. The brand made a big step towards reliability.

[@PetrolPed]

That is great to hear 👍

[@nervo6321]

I changed my 420 for a Giulia…not as refined but so much more fun to drive, and yes it is beautiful in black with tan leather.

[@filiped7298]

Great review, Peter. I’ve been a viewer since your early days and it’s good see the increased effort you put on these videos. If I may some suggestions to future reviews: some practicality tests (check back seats, boot, etc), some more close-up shots on some of the buttons, infotainment and such, add a POV footage. These are just suggestions. :-) cheers from Portugal!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Filipe. Glad you enjoyed it and I'm always open to feedback. The amount of different angels and B reel is always down to how much time I have with the car. For this video I was on my own and only had the car for 2 hours. I agree with your comments and will always try and get and much footage as possible to make the film more interesting.

[@ddavanzo]

Dino D. Great review. Would you review the Giulia Veloce please. Just bought one but would like to know your thoughts. Thanks

[@danhyde7501]

just clicked a random video I was looking for on this car and it turns out you're at foxton locks. I live just round the corner, I will Enjoy seeing it drive around roads I know well, will be a very good comparison for me lol

[@1BLUEMEANIE]

Great review as always. Yes Peter you should do more 60-0 brake tests manufactures always give 0-60 but never the other. Would be great to find which car has the best anchors.:)

[@PetrolPed]

Porsche have a design brief that every car they make must be able to do 60-0 in half the time it can do 0-60 !

[@ryandavid2770]

Nice. The 8 speed ZF box is the same as I had in my 320d and the shifting is real simple once you're used to it. Very smooth box with the size and power of the engine. A great German alternative but I guess thoughts around reliability, depreciation and residuals will deter many. Oh and that demo car needed sunset glass or tints to finish the look!

[@PetrolPed]

Very true. It certainly needed a few more options ;-)

[@nikosstories]

Yes because german cars are very very relaiable 😂😂😂😂

[@randombloke10]

Great review, you'd enjoy the 2.0 petrols too!

[@PetrolPed]

I'm sure I would :-)

[@TherymasterWidnes]

Ive got a Veloce on a 69 plate with tan leather interior. Love it.

[@PetrolPed]

Nice 👌

[@MR_D4VE]

Re the auto handbrake, it only works when your seatbelt is on. Great review btw.

[@ginggur17]

Stunning brakes.

[@PetrolPed]

They sure did work !

[@gavinivers8941]

Interesting Alfa, and Fiat, are coming back having got their house in order. Wonder long term how the car will be with reliablility. Car look great in a darker shade.

[@PetrolPed]

That seems to be the point everyone is asking !

[@Gameover571]

electric handbrake wont disengage automatically if you aren't wearing your seatbelt. You then have to do it manually.

[@PetrolPed]

Thanks for letting me know :-)

[@GuysThatDrive]

We can relate to the headline of this video too - wait until you try the Quadrifoglio!

[@PetrolPed]

I've driven it already...stunning car !

[@dhtj11]

Hey, it's my first time I'm seeing you and your reviews and I really like it! I'm a big fan of car reviews and I know all of the top guys in this business, like Motortrend, Carwow, Chris Harris an so on... and I think your level is near them. I wonder why you still have so few subscribers? Just two tips: 1. The cameras inside the cabin are not good enough. Bad video quality and they are shaking. 2. Don't use the same sentence 4 times in 2 minutes - "gets the job done" ... Good luck and keep the good work!

[@PetrolPed]

Hi there. Thanks for the tips and I hope my Subs will keep increasing and that I keep getting access to great content. It's always nice to be mentioned in the same sentence as Chris Harris, I just wish I could drive like him !!

[@richardearth2848]

Nice Video. Love those brakes. Wonder how that compares to other cars.

[@PetrolPed]

Impressive anchors that's for sure !

[@Alozhatos]

I’m really interested with this Giulia. Alfa Romeo have it’s own class and aesthetics. I do hope Alfa Romeo considering E-Segment liftback to compete with 6 Series, CLS Class and A7.

[@arsensarkissian8089]

Oh I’m torn, this or a BMW 5 series? I want petrol car as no need for a diesel. Always had Audi’s or BMW’s but this is gorgeous.

[@PetrolPed]

Have you driven one yet ? If not, get yourself a test drive as I think you will be impressed :-)

[@arsensarkissian8089]

Petrol Ped if I drive both I’ll want both ha ha!! I’ve had a few BMW’s but never an Alfa. The stories I’ve heard worry me and after my Land Rover experience I can’t take another unreliable car 😢

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

Outside looks stunning - inside looks like ‘Tonight Matthew, I am going to be a Volkswagen’. I suspect it’s a much better car with any petrol engine in it, and I hate this move towards driveselect menus - my BMW feels compromised in every mode, whilst my old Audi feels great as it is (and doesn’t have drive modes).

[@PetrolPed]

Love your description of the inside !

[@lory7211]

It is so simple: Giulia is far more beautiful than the germans, and it's more fun and style, so no doubt: i would buy a Giulia rather than a german.

[@yipas]

Hey man, don't know how you call it in UK, but according to the bumbers and the seats that the car at your review has, this is the Veloce version for EU. In the Staes/Canada it is called Ti. What's more, the 2.2 4 diesel at the Veloce version produces 210 bhp and not 180 as you're claiming in the beginning of your video.

[@PetrolPed]

I was working off a spec sheet given to me from Alfa UK :-)

[@ChrisHooperOnCars]

Found this review very useful, having reviewed the Veloce 280 but looking for a more affordable option 👍👍

[@TC_83]

Thinking of buying one of these (second hand)... put off by Alfa’s reliability history... should I be? Plus why do some speciales have paddle shift and some don’t?

[@mihaidobre89]

They do have some german lead engineers to fix the electrical issues those car used to have. So I assume they have way better reliability score now especially with the new models/cars. Paddles are optional so I assume the entry level trim doesn't get them.

[@francoisg3500]

I comment 12 secounds after your up load!

[@PetrolPed]

Love it ! You are the King of the First Comment :-)

[@geraldsitorus]

Most of the concern mentioned in the comments are on the reliability, but really, mainly just by stereotype. I guess Alfa has some convincing to do, yes, but to say that the germans make reliable cars these days.. not too sure about that. my 2 yrs old audi already has problems.

[@PetrolPed]

So often concerns about manufacturers are based on stereotypes or misguided opinion. All manufacturers have example of poor reliability if you look hard enough !

[@Tonewheelsmile]

GREAT!

[@davidebonannini640]

Isn't the Q4 210hp version available in the Uk?

[@mr.2cents.846]

This guy looks a little like the UK version of Tim Allen. And that's not a bad thing. 😉

[@paullovesey4863]

What gearbox do Alfa use in this car?

[@PetrolPed]

It's the 8 speed ZF that seems to be in everything nowadays !

[@Vusevio]

Just picked one of these up for £16,500 with only 15k miles

[@PetrolPed]

Wow 😳

[@geriatricmotorcars9516]

That gets a wow from me ! I'll be buying one for 6k in 3 years with a hundred k on it .. The consumption is my priority : )) Thanks for the review .. I have 6 Alfas ..

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Gerry. Glad you liked the vid :-)

[@MrRoyck10]

This a good looking car but it can't be a better drive than BMW 320d, as Chris Harris stated in his review that unless you are buying an M3 the 320d is all you need.

[@PetrolPed]

There’s not much in it 😜

[@andycampbell5981]

Great review--but-- an answer to the title question why buy a German saloon-- depreciation, reliability and dealer network. I've owned 2 Alfas now one from new and one from "approved used". regardless of the alfa promise of better reliability etc they still just don't cut it.. 8 faulty relays?? yes 8, 2 fuel pumps, drive shaft bearing, door close mechanism, brake master cylinder, brake pedal and an alloy that wasn't round causing front tyres to practically melt.. all this with a combined mileage 23k miles.. yes covered under warranty but 10 weeks off road the hassle and BS from 2 separate dealerships... in isolation as a one off drive beautiful cars--as the saying goes its only skin deep!!

[@PetrolPed]

Wow...that doesn't sound good :-(

[@greengrass9572]

Andy Campbell, sounds to me like you had a Friday afternoon car. ( rushed in the factory)

[@alampare6997]

about reliability ...... www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey/

[@andycampbell5981]

it was a similar result over the last few years- if you dive into the data however there are major flaws (as I see it)- its not number of faults Vs number of units sold- its just number of faults for those that replied- if the results were scaled in a correct scientific way, not as a marketing ploy (what car is a commercial entity not an independent authority), then low volume sellers are at an advantage "In our 2017 Reliability Survey, we asked more than 14,200 people to tell us about any faults their cars have suffered during the past year. The results for cars aged 0-3yrs reveal the most - and least - dependable cars from 32 brands and 169 models" So in simple terms the "What Car" survey is too be taken with a pinch of salt, with new car registrations in the UK running at over 3 million per year you are only taking a sample of 0.0015% which in terms of any scientific data in classed as junk ergo the survey is just that!

[@alampare6997]

I think that Giulia and Stelvio are two cars of a higher level than all the Alfa Romeo produced in the last 30 years. They are cars to which everyone recognizes road qualities even higher than the best German competitors. The level of 'infoteiment is perhaps lower, but I believe that any infotainment, in a few years, will be obsolete, the road quality, no. Many people today would buy these cars if they only cost a little less, which is why I think Giulia and Stelvio will be required among the cars used in the coming years.

[@robbs808]

I’ve been led to believe that you can’t turn the traction control completely off on these, for that reason it’s off my list, shame as it’s a very nice looking car and I’d have quite liked the Veloce 280.

[@PetrolPed]

I'm not sure to be honest, but how many times do you really need to do that. Have you driven one ?

[@robbs808]

Petrol Ped it’s hugely important to me as I love RWD and I love getting sideways, so much so that it really is a deal breaker for me, but no not driven one yet.

[@steveburns9488]

Nice looking car but Peter honestly if it was your own cash, can you hand on heart say you’d go for that over a BMW? I think reliability concerns would swing it in the end

[@PetrolPed]

I would be tempted over a BMW or Merc but would end up buying an Audi ;-)

[@1962gms]

Weirdly, I was tempted by an Audi and bought an Alfa Giulia Qv! ; )

[@alampare6997]

about Alfa reliability ..... www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey/

[@markhamilton7289]

I had a 320d m sport xdrive for 4 days while my car was in for repairs....i didnt like it. I had a Giulia as a test car for a week and have fallen completely in love with it. Its a car that flatters the driver. the steering is super fast and incredibly precise. I'm also not sure what Alfa have done to the ZF 8peed. Ive tried the same box in the 3 series, an XE and the alfa. The implementation on the jag is awful. the 3 series was good but Alfa seem to have done some form of telepathy where the gearbox is incredibly responsive....sorry waxing lyrically about this car but it really was that good to drive.

[@alexisamtosta]

Bmw and mercedes is just the status and nothing else

[@paulredhead8603]

'Supposed' status. The Alfa is the thinking mans' sports saloon.

[@alexisamtosta]

@@paulredhead8603 I completly agree with you. Rich people do buy mercs and bmw but it the type of cars people from low income countries like to have. All because of that supposed status

[@loukrstevski6583]

Alfa need another GT coupe.

[@PetrolPed]

Indeed 👍

[@e1337prodigy]

Electric handbrake, oh no. It was going so well. Also just looking at the Alfa website, but aren't there any petrol engines available. I can't stand Diesel.

[@PetrolPed]

No handbrake turns :-(

[@AnoTherVview]

Seen one with 8k lol from 30 to 8 in 6 years wow

[@SgtKanyo]

Alfa Romeo and diesel. Oh boy, I'm on the weird part of YT again.

[@PetrolPed]

LOL...it's not that bad ;-)

[@briansalmon1666]

I even like the base diesel much more than the Q.V. version...is there anyone out there that is ok with the lesser output versions of cars besides me? I mean ,it’s ok that not everyone needs 1000 hp

[@hermansteyn6053]

Why would I want a diesel Alfa ??? ,for that matter any diesel car ??.The only engine to get is a petrol.

[@wordreet]

Ah, so it has about the same power and torque as the Vauxhall Astra 888 from a few years ago. Heh, the Astra is gummy bear compared to the Alfa, looks wise though. Same 0-60 time as the Calibra V6 I owned about 10 years back. Though the modded Cavalier V6 previous to that was quicker. :¬P Yes, I went through a phase. Probably haven't got over it yet.

[@PetrolPed]

I loved the Calibra :-)

[@wordreet]

The Calibra's style has been, let me say plagiarised, by more than one other manufacturer.

[@Mr-M.Fastbike1000]

Ofcouse you can't compare it to an m3 or c63, they are petrol cars for petrol heads. This car is a diesel for people who can't afford to drive a petrol car, and are not petrol heads. Oh yeah and dynamic mode in a diesel did make me lol.

[@PetrolPed]

I never compared this car to the M3 or C63, is was talking about the Quadrifoglio which you definitely can ! I compared this car to a 320d or a C200 !!

[@Mr-M.Fastbike1000]

I stand corrected sir. My bad.

[@gmore_1one361]

I have a petrol car (Porsche Cayman, I can assure you that I can afford to pay for my petrol) and a Giulia Speciale. The Dynamic mode is great, you should try it instead of making pointless comments. This car has 450 Nm of Torque and handles like no others, the Merc C200 in comparison is a Punto!

[@Mr-M.Fastbike1000]

As you've assured me you can afford to pay for petrol. May i ask you're reason for having a diesel? Many petrol cars are available with 450 Nm of torque.

[@gmore_1one361]

because I did something you didn't. I tested both of them. I tried the Quadrifoglio, the Veloce and the Speciale, at Millbrook. The Veloce has 280 BHP but I found the Diesel a lot more fun, plus is a good daily car. My wife drives it so the Quadrifolgio would have been been too much. Most petrol car comes with 450Nm? List them...my Porsche has 420 Nm and costs double the price. The BMW 335D (diesel, but you probably know...) has 630 Nm... Diesel has insane torque, not sure why you make such comments, probably never driven one.

[@ginggur17]

Looks a little ‘Audi esq’ at the back.

[@ginggur17]

Bloody huge shift paddles.

[@PetrolPed]

Lush !

[@lastminute1970]

Forza Alfa

[@alanbutterfield8057]

Hi Peter, I like Alfa but they are problematic cars as suffer fault after fault it’s Italian what more can I say it a bit like Ferrari looks great goes like stink but always a problem I’m not sure how repairs would cost but I would always pick German over Italian in this category am sorry to say in any category. I have a Ford and I would pick Ford over this Car am on a 66 plate car nearly on 10,000 miles and I have not had one problem and yes some people don’t like Fords but you get a lot of Car for your money and only serviced every 2 years or 18,000 miles it’s up down the motorway 4 times a day and it loves the M57 no probs. Great video and as ever Best wishes Alan B.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Alan. That is most people feeling towards Alfa and sadly I think it might be accurate, but I think they are getting much better.

[@greengrass9572]

Alan Butterfield, I've owned 7 Alfas and had no reliability issues with any. None. The brand new ones can suffer from teething problems because of poor quality control at the factory then angry customers get revenge come servey time. If serviced correctly and on time they are very reliable. Interestingly I had a golf Gti 20 v turbo with a full service history and it gave me endless grief. I'd never choose an overengineed German car over an Italian one. My wife has had 4 puntos and had no grief with any hence she keeps buying them. Says she took an old mk 1 punto to southern Spain and back with no grief.

[@alanbutterfield8057]

green grass Hi I’m pleased to hear you have had no issues with your 7 cars from Alfa and I hope May your relationship continue with the brand. It’s always great to see customer whom have had a great experience with Alfa over the years. Kind Regards Alan B

[@RobertKarlBerta]

A report of reliability for 140,000 cars for any issues...mechanical,electronic, QC, etc. between 1-3 years was just released in UK. Top 4 positions were by Japanese and one Korean. 5th place was ALFA 6th Honda. Jag, BMW, Posche and Mercedes were far down on the list. The list compilers were impressed by ALFAs improvements. I owned a ALFA 1969 Duetto for over 40 years that I sold to make garage space for a 2015 4C LE. It is a fabulous car and has proven to be bullet proof. Other 4c owners tell me the same thing. There was a period of ALFAs that were more problematic in 80s but they are great now.

[@LOTPOR0402]

Just like a BMW then

[@johannesr.h.131]

Nice car, but you might need to buy two. One just for spare parts...

[@PetrolPed]

Harsh !

[@AbcD-td4ml]

The Car looks like a Mazda. That is why only the fanboys like it.

[@francoisg3500]

First

[@kiahweelee9994]

Beware of reliability issues.

[@LucyTheCat]

What an ugly car... just horrible (i am so going to hell for saying that as a joke)

[@PetrolPed]

Go to the back of the class !!

[@LucyTheCat]

Petrol Ped This is the equivelant of smoking weed off the page of the bible

[@greengrass9572]

Lucille The GTR, you're entitled to your opinion and you won't go to he'll, but it's a bit rich coming from a man who likes that totally and utterly ugly nissan.

[@winni2601]

Alfa Romeo may look nice, but they are qualitative scrap.

[@PetrolPed]

They are much better than they used to be :-)

[@berniesutton7277]

I assume you have some REAL evidence to support that statement?

[@briansalmon1666]

no they are not at all...your info is terribly innacurate