On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.
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Dubbed the Giulietta G430 iMove, the demo car is fitted with special tires sized 235/35 R19 tires boasting a fluorescent, green pigment, which glows in the dark. The compound is rich in silica content and other materials, minimizing rolling resistance and, thus, improving fuel consumption. The car rides on 19-inch Barracuda Karizzma wheels, painted in a contrasting black tone.
“The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects”, said Håkan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year.
The Giulietta came in second with 248 points, while the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva took the bronze, with 244 points.
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In an apparent nod to the belief that Alfa Romeos have a soul, the mosaic was created by using thousands of photos from past and present owners, historic stills from film, TV and landmark motorsport successes.
According to the company's press release, "the stars" of the Alfa Romeo stand will be the brand-new 140 HP 2.0 JTDM and the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir turbo petrol with "Alfa TCT" automatic transmission versions of the Giulietta.
That's good enough to propel the standard production car from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 6,8 seconds and on to a top speed of 242 km/h or 151 mph.
The range comprises of three petrol and two diesel powerplants, all turbocharged. The petrol lineup includes a 1.4-liter TB with 120 bhp, a 1.4-liter TB MultiAir producing 170bhp and a top-of-the-range 1750 TBi with 235bhp for the Cloverleaf model that boasts a top speed of 150 mph and a 0–62 mph (100km/h) acceleration time of 6.8 seconds
Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Alfa Romeo will launch seven new models from 2010 to 2014 starting with the new Giulietta that will receive an extensive facelift in 2014.
The next newcomer from Alfa will be a replacement for its BMW 3-Series rivaling 159 that will be named Giulia.
Set to arrive in 2012, the Giulia will be based on an existing Fiat platform (most likely, a wider and longer version of the Guilietta's new platform). It will be offered in four-door sedan and station wagon variants and according to the plan, it will mark the return of the Alfa Romeo brand in the States.
The sporty-looking Giulietta introduces an entirely new platform called "Compact" that will underpin a variety of Fiat and Chrysler Group cars in the near future.
Available exclusively as a five-door hatchback, Alfa Romeo's replacement for the 147 is 4.35 meters long, 1.46 meters tall and 1.80 meters wide, with a wheelbase of 2.63 meters, with Alfa claiming that it features a boot capacity of 350 liters.
The spot nods at the past by shadowing previous generations of the Giulietta in the background but also embraces the future by touting some of the Giulietta's technological and mechanical highlights such as the multilink suspension and start&stop system.
The new Golf-sized Giulietta will be offered with a variety of powertrains spanning from a 105HP 1.6-liter diesel to a 235HP 1.7-liter turbocharged petrol. Video after the break.
To celebrate the event, Alfa Romeo has announced that it will display an array of vehicles representing various periods from the firm's first 100 years. Included among these will be many cars never before seen in Britain, direct from the brand's extensive Milan-based Museo Storico collection.
The new model is set for a world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March and a market launch in Europe this summer.
It will be offered with three petrol engines, including 120HP and 170HP versions of a 1.4-liter turbo unit, and a 235HP 1.7-liter turbo, as well as two diesels producing 105HP and 170HP. Hit the jump to watch the new video clip.
