Three of The Drive's staffers—Mike Spinelli, Will Sabel Courtney, and Andrew Siceloff—recently spent time with the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti. They discussed the finer merits and detractors of this hybrid crossover via Slack, an instant message program with a fun ability to summon random gifs based on what users type. The following is a partial transcript of that conversation.
So, how about that Alfa Romeo Giulia?
Yeah. The engine is all midrange. It's kind of a workaday engine, but it's got decent torque at a pretty wide band. Kind of a perfect performance-commuter engine.
And those giant paddle shifters made keeping it in said midrange really enjoyable. They look like some sort of terrifying ninja weapon.
Yeah. When we crammed four people in there for that Whole Foods run, it was...tight.
Admittedly, I was one of the four. But still.
They did their best with the space. The carveouts for the front seatbacks were enough for me, though arguably I'm only in the mid fives in height.
I don't think there's anything arguable about that, @mikespin. You are absolutely in the mid-fives.
I did think the interior was well-designed. The seats, in particular, looked and felt nice.
I was disappointed with the interior design and materials, though. Hard to get out of an Audi and into this.
Was just about to say that. Well, the material part.
They did a great job blending the infotainment screen into its surroundings. All those companies that basically superglue iPads onto the dash could learn a thing or two.
They have that drive-by-wire vagueness. They felt wooden to me. Not great to modulate.
But what a great chassis. Really sharp. Quick steering.
No, the brakes were definitely soft at the top of the travel, too.
I would buy it for the steering and the dynamics.
What was the price tested?
I really wish they had an intermediate model between this and the Quad.
Like an AMG 43 type thing.
Who is this car perfect for?
Me in my next job as an accountant at a firm in the suburbs.
So someone who doesn't have a giant family and that needs a good, fun commuter.
Honestly, an adult commute on nice b-roads would be pretty sweet.
Not that that's a bad thing. Hell, it could probably be their slogan.
Ah yes. So, marketing department at a high-end consumer goods company.
"Hey Jim, I got an Alfa Romeo."
Jim: "Have you seen a doctor?"
"Hey guys, want to try out that new lunch spot. I'm driving."
Guys: "Naah. I got car sick last time."
It deserves to do well. Better than it is doing. Sales-wise, at least.
I still think it looks like a perturbed owl from the front.
Are the driving dynamics good enough to lure you suburban office workers away from the interior and tech of an Audi?
AND AUDIS DON'T DRIVE GREAT???
Most suburban office workers, no.
Because they don't care that much.
This is a car for the 10 percent of people who do care about how a car drives.
Because it's WAY TOO BIG.
It takes up your entire pocket. I feel like they designed it for purses.
Or whatever men carry in Italy. Man-satchels.
If you just got married and aren't ready for that SUV, and you just got a promotion, I'd say go low mileage lease it for two years.
Rumors of a Goldilocks-approved Giulia continue to swirl.