The latest generation Giulietta proves that when Alfa puts its mind to it, it can manufacture good solid cars that can rival market leaders like the Ford Focus and VW Golf. In fact, according to J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction rating the Giulietta ties for tenth place alongside Toyota and VW. It is also class leading in EuroNCAP safety ratings, scoring 87 out 100 ahead of key rivals like the Golf, Focus and BMW 1-series.
All this, of course, is important for the U.S. as the Alfa provides the underpinnings for the 2013 Dodge Dart that debuted at the Detroit show.
This version I recently drove comes with Alfa’s own in-house developed Twin Clutch Transmission or TCT which, claims Alfa, helps to reduce fuel consumption over conventional autos or CVTs as well as weighing 22 lb. less at 178.5 lb. including oil, wiring harness and control unit.
Its most important characteristic is the adoption of a coaxial pull-rod for actuating the odd-gear clutch. This pull-rod is connected to a hydraulic piston actuator located on the rear face of the transmission housing.
The odd gear clutch is normally closed, as in conventional manual transmissions, and features an integrated wear compensation mechanism. The adoption of a normally closed odd gear clutch was dictated by energy saving considerations; since odd-gear driving exceeds 50% of the vehicle’s mission and is used more frequently in urban and extra-urban conditions, the operation of the hydraulic system to maintain the odd-clutch closed was considered inefficient.
The even gear clutch is actuated with a comparatively conventional hydraulic cylinder and is force-controlled. This choice was again made on the basis of packaging considerations.
The Alfa TCT implements various driving modes, depending on the desired performance and driver requirements (Alfa D.N.A.), both in manual and in automatic mode: Dynamic / Natural / All Weather and Automatic / Manual (tip). It also incorporates stop-start facility as well.
On the road the TCT, which has a class-leading torque capacity of 258 lb.- ft., delivers smooth rapid changes, especially in the manual mode. One of the challenges for these boxes is the tip-in from standstill, but Alfa’s engineers seemed to have overcome that so the box delivers smooth take-off from standstill.
What’s of particular interest is that it has the potential to be upgraded to a 7-speed and with a maximum torque output of just under 3100 lb.-ft. means it is engineered for possible all-wheel-drive application in Jeep badged products.
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Related posts:
- New Alfa Romeo Giulietta to bow at Geneva
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta…a tasty Italian treat that’s not for U.S. consumption
- Alfa For America – Maserati to Build Alfa Romeo 4C
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