Just a few minutes ago on 11th November 2011 at 11 seconds past 11 minutes past 11 o’clock, the time and date was a perfect same-numbered palindrome, reading the same backwards as forwards – an event which can only happen on one day every 100 years. So to mark the moment I thought I would do a blog about my favorite 11 features of our Alfa Romeo Giulietta. I also marked the moment by taking a picture at that time showing what we and our Giulietta were doing on the day at the hour.
There are so many features that I could blog about but I decided to choose the ones that either daily make my heart skip a beat with joy as they are so stylish and so distinctively “Alfa” or the features that as a family I now consider essential for safe, practical and luxurious ferrying of our most precious cargo. Some of them may not be the most cutting edge technology that Giulietta has to offer though many are. However these are the 11 that stick out in my mind that enhance the Real People Family Alfa Romeo Giulietta driving experience.
1. The distinctive badge and Alfa Grille: The front shield shaped grille of our Giulietta catches my eye every morning she looks so stunning, strong and proud and well let’s just say it makes me smile every time!!
2 The rear passenger doors: The Giulietta comes only as a five-door hatchback, but they are disguised by concealing the doorhandles. I love this deceptive feature as it makes practical, perfect family car look like a stylish sports car. So many people have commented on this subtle feature whilst surveying her.
3. Spacious back seat : A couple of my blogs have already covered the fantastic back seat. In this case I will let the pictures tell the story. So much space!! Three ladies or three kids take your pic. All can travel in comfort.
4. Rear seat armrest: There is a handy armrest in both the front and back seat. I have not yet blogged about the wide padded centre rear armrest. It has pop-out cup-holders and built-in storage tray. Soooo useful with the boys for food, drinks, books and toys etc. In addition you can pull the armrest forward and access the rear of the car if required. Our lads love this feature, crawling to and from the boot. I find it a useful feature and have been known to use it as a threat when they are really doing my head in. As in “if you don’t stop fighting with your brother, throwing your toys at my head and screaming when I am driving I will put you through the armrest into the boot”. It works!! No reports to my local social work department please!!
5. The boot: I have written extensively in previous blogs about the 350 litre of bootspace. Fantastic and all a family will need. Takes two buggies. My shopping weekly etc etc. Super bootspace and a lovely Alfa badge/button on the boot to press when opening if you are not using the automatic open button on the Giulietta key.
6. Roof bars : I have somehow lost the pictures of the roofbox on the Giulietta and as the bars are not currently on her so these are a couple from before. Regular blog readers know that we make many trips to Cork and with the Lusso we have roofbars (thank Alfa Romeo Ireland). They are so useful for a family, easy to put on the car and the Giulietta still looks great with them on.
7. Passenger Airbag activate/deactivate feature: I have a video and a blog written on this worth looking at. It is a feature I use regularly when I have April in the front seat beside me. In summary Alfa Romeo have installed a simple to use activate/deactivate passenger airbag function. Just remember it is important to switch the air bag back on immediately once the baby seats are no longer in the frontseat. Check out the blog for more information.
8. Sat Nav and Bluetooth: The Giulietta Lusso has the latest version of the Blue&Me infotainment system, which integrates Bluetooth, sat-nav and music storage in one unit. It is a fantastic, clever system that I feel really spoilt with. The kids love that they can pick their own music. I hopefully will never get points for chin wagging on the phone again and I cannot imagine driving without it now!!
9. Dual Zone efficient heating and cooling: I did not ever think this would be such a useful feature but often myself and Rory have the temperatures set differently and I particularly use it when little April is in the front seat. She is often quite cold so I crank up her heating whilst leaving mine a little cooler. It is these seemingly little things that make driving Giulietta such a joy!
10. The 5 Star Safety : I have blogged about this most important feature often so will just sum up here by reminding you that Giulietta is actually Europe’s safest compact car, having received the the best rating, a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Europe’s New Car Assessment Programme is an independent body that assesses the safety performance of cars sold in Europe. Look at previous blogs for further information on this as it really is crucial and it requires a lot more in depth explanation than I have recorded here.
I could go on and on but must get this blog live. Some other amazing features, Start/stop technology, DNA feature, the seat belt reminder lights etc etc…..
11. How did we mark the moment 11-11-11-11-11-11-11?
We drove to April’s new early learning school for an introduction morning. Our Giulietta as always was there ferrying us safely to and from Glenageary.
This morning we brought April to the family centre where she will do al lot of her speech therapy, physiotherapy etc etc. As you can see at 11-11-11 on 11-11-11 she was experiencing the world of learning and becoming the class messer!! Have a lovely day everyone and safe driving!! Best of Luck to our wonderful new President!!
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Oh the excitement, the relentless questions, the continuous badgering, the eager, innocent spirits of a 2 and 3 year old….. “When are we going in our red car to get our Christmas tree”? “Stop the car there are Christmas Trees over there”!! What if we don’t have our Christmas Tree when Santa comes”? “I think the man in the shop has no Trees left”. “I will be good if we can go in the car and get the Christmas Tree…” …. ENOUGH!! Much earlier that usual, yesterday we caved and went to buy the Christmas Tree – Such an event!! Even Rory left work early for the occasion.
The three girls travelling in comfort in the back of Giulietta
