The Volkswagen GTI has long stood as the standard in the hot hatch segment, but Alfa Romeo will look to challenge the GTI’s supremecy with a hotter version of its all-new Giulietta model. The new Alfa Romeo Giulietta made its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
Joining the standard Giulietta at the Geneva show was a hotter version of the hatch, tentatively called the Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf). At the time Alfa Romeo wouldn’t confirm the hot hatch’s production plans, but the Italian automaker is reportedly moving forward with the new model.
Like the show car, the hotter version of the Giulietta will be powered by Alfa’s 235 horsepower 1750 TBi turbocharged engine. Although all-wheel drive would be ideal for that much power, the Giulietta will retain its front-wheel drive layout.
Alfa has yet to decide on a naming scheme for the hotter hatch, but the performance Giulietta will wear either the GTA or Cloverleaf nameplate. If Alfa’s U.S. plans move forward as planned, expect to see the Giulietta and its performance variant on our shores by mid-decade.
References
1. ‘Hot Giulietta targets…’ view
