We’re not going to sugar coat it, or pull punches; the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce is sex on wheels. What makes that statement more interesting is the fact you can’t isolate its appeal to just one thing.
The Alfa Red paintwork is lipstick-like, the contours and the iconic V-shaped bonnet exude staunch performance, the leather sports seats hug you in a warm yet firm embrace. What’s not to love. Let’s face it, its exterior is classic, Italian and hard to ignore.
Fully automatic adaptive matrix LED headlights are tastefully etched into the soft corners. Enough gushing, you just need to know that such is its look, that pedestrians will do a doubletake when they glance at the Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce.
Completing the package are 5-hole sports design wheels, wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber, with red brake callipers. Privacy glass for the rear windows and rear windscreen add a nice touch, as do the gloss black exterior side mirrors.
The rear of the Giulia Veloce is a thing of beauty too, with voluptuous yet subtle curves that span the boot. Here you’ll find LED tail lights and a hidden reversing camera, as well as dual exhaust tips.
Inside you’ll find beautiful and tasteful design, comfort, and lots of luxurious leather. Add a dash of real aluminium finishes and there’s plenty to like. We found the leather sports seats to be genuinely supportive, with both featuring power adjustment and lumbar.
Generous technology inclusions start with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is customisable to personal preference. Then there’s the 8.8-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash, which has stunning resolution and clarity.
It also presents a wider version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately though, it isn’t the wireless variety, so a cable connection in the centre console gets you there. Luckily, USB-C and USB-A are available (in the rear too). There is wireless charging.
The highlight for us is the dual-pane panoramic sunroof. Opening up the front and rear fabric covers fills the cabin with natural light, and adds to the overall driving experience. It is an optional extra, but well worth it.
Notable features include aluminium sports pedals and trim inserts, and adequately sized and centrally located cup holders. Storage in the doors isn’t big enough for a larger water bottle. That aside, the sound system is pretty mint 14-speaker Harman Kardon setup.
On the safety front, you’ll find a tonne of driver aids including lane keep, active blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. The latter is quite precise on the road, and really works well with lane keep and traffic jam assist.
If you have a couple of little tykes to ferry around, you’ll also find ISOFIX anchor points on the outer rear seats. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cyclinder petrol engine, channelled through an 8-speed automatic gearbox, to the rear wheels.
It generates up to 206kW of power and a whopping 400Nm of torque. Alfa Romeo claims 6.1-litres/100km, although we could only manage 8.4-litres/100km (although we did do plenty of spirited driving).
Thanks to the torque, the Giulia Veloce is ready to move at the touch of the pedal. Suspension is on point when accelerating through corners, and it grips the road well. Manually shifting gears is a tonne of fun, and brings the engine to life.
If you’re like us, the turbo spooling is just music to the ears. Alfa DNA provides varying personalities. D sharpens the steering and braking, and stiffens the suspension; N is more neutral; A enhances energy saving.
We found the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce a beautiful machine on the streets, and a luxurious and comfortable ride to be in. A real head turner, it’s available in Alfa White, Alfa Red, Vesuvio Grey, Vulcano Black, Misano Blue, Etna Red, and Moonlight Grey.
You can pick one up for $84,699 drive away, with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assist. Check out their website for more information, and if you’re keen on one and need finance, talk to CreditOne.
Our test vehicle was provided by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia. To find out more about the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce, talk to your local Alfa Romeo dealer.
Excellent review.