Alfa Romeo->ke1386 launched the Giulietta->ke3589 nameplate in 1954 with a series of compact cars that included sedan,->ke142 coupe->ke141 and convertible->ke144 body styles. The Giulietta went on to become one of Alfa's most iconic monikers, known for its gorgeous looks penned by the likes of Bertone,->ke2523 Pininfarina->ke69 and Zagato,->ke3827 as well as its successful motorsport career. Replaced by the Giulia range in 1965, the Giulietta name remained a part of the company's glorious past until it was revived in 2010. Assigned to a hatchback->ke304 that replaced the 147, the modern-day Giulietta joined a segment dominated by the likes of the Volkswagen Golf,->ke164 the Ford Focus,->ke440 and other German and French hatches. Although it was received with some enthusiasm, with more than 60,000 examples sold annually in Europe, sales of the Italian car dropped below the 50,000-unit mark starting 2013. In an effort to spur interest in its hatch, Alfa Romeo launched additional trims and special editions for certain European markets throughout 2014, the most recent of which is the Business Edition.

Developed for the British market, the Business Edition is essentially a mid-range model with additional features. The new trim level comes with more than £2,000 ($3,148 as of 12/17/2014) worth of added equipment, while being priced below the model it is based on. Read on to find out more about the latest Giulietta to hit British dealerships.

Click past the jump to read more about the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Business Edition.

Exterior

Based on the mid-rage Distinctive trim level of the Giulietta, the Business Edition remains essentially unchanged on the outside. The 16-inch alloy wheels of the Distinctive model are standard on the Business hatch, while the new trim also adds power-folding side mirrors with the Visibility Pack. Exterior color options are the same, meaning customers can choose between 10 different hues that include various shades of gray, two tones of black, as well as Alfa Red, Cobalto Blue, Metallo Bronze and Ghiaccio White.

Buyers in need of a special exterior color can select the 8C Red, the exact same shade of red offered on the 8C sports car. Alfa says all paints are available as no-cost options. For reference, exterior color options usually fetch between £510 (about $797 as of 12/17/2014) and £1,900 (around $2,970).

Interior

While the interior layout remains identical to the Distinctive the Business Edition benefits from extra convenience features. The hatch is equipped with Alfa Romeo's 6.5-inch Uconnect infotainment system with voice-programmable satellite navigation and 3D mapping, electric lumbar support for the front seats and front parking sensors. The Visibility Pack -- also fitted as standard -- adds dusk and rain sensors, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

Drivetrain

Just like the regular Giulietta, the Business Edition is available with a choice of four engines, including both gasoline and diesel mills. A turbocharged, 1.4-liter, four-banger fills in as the hatch's sole gasoline option. The four-pot cranks out 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and mates to a six-speed, twin-clutch automatic. The sprint to 62 mph happens in 7.6 seconds, while top speed sits at 84 mph.

The diesel range begins with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder rated at 105 ponies and 236 pound-feet of torque. Paired to a six-speed manual gearbox the oil burner enables the Giulietta to hit 62 mph from a standing start in 11.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 71 mph. Not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but definitely efficient with a combined fuel economy of 70.6 mpg on the UK cycle.

The second turbo-diesel unit, a 2.0-liter JTDM-2, comes in two flavors. The least powerful version cranks out 150 horsepower and a maximum torque of 280 pound-feet. Naught to 62 mph takes 11.3 seconds, while top speed sits at 130 mph. This oil burner also mates to a six-speed manual.

Lastly, the range-topping 2.0-liter diesel churns 175 ponies and 258 pound-feet, making it the quickest non-gasoline option for the Giulietta. This version sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 7.8 seconds and hits a top speed of 136 mph. Shifting duties are handled by a six-speed dual-clutch autobox.

Prices

The Alfa Romeo Business Edition retails from £18,990 ($29,883 as of 12/17/2014), making it only £750 ($1,180) more expensive than the base model. That's quite cheap considering it comes with everything the mid-range Distinctive model has to offer plus more than £2,000 ($3,148) worth of added equipment. In fact, the Business Edition is cheaper than the Distinctive trim when both vehicles are equipped with comparable engines.

Too bad the Giulietta is not available in the U.S.

Competition

Volkswagen Golf

The Giulietta is far from being a successful model in Europe, and the Volkswagen Golf is one of the hatchbacks responsible for this. Launched at the 2013 New York Auto Show, the seventh-gen Golf is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor. Additionally, the all-popular hatch is also more aerodynamic than the previous model, making it more fuel efficient. The new Golf showcases reworked bumpers front and rear, a revised front grille and updated lights. Inside, there's an upgraded center console with new controls and revised trims on all models. Due to its longer and wider dimensions, the Golf VIII also boasts enhanced legroom and shoulder room.

Under the hood, the U.S.-spec Volkswagen Golf is offered with a choice of two powerplants. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder makes 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, while a 2.0-liter four-pot diesel generates 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet. Both units mate to either a manual or an automatic transmission. Pricing begins at $17,995, but a range-topping diesel Golf can fetch more than $29,000.

Ford Focus

Updated for the 2015 model year, the current Focus is yet another successful hatchback on both European and U.S. shores. The compact now sports the company’s trademark front grille and crisper styling cues. Interior updates include a more premium feel and a brand-new SYNC AppLink system.

Under the hood, Ford is now offering a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that develops 100 horsepower and returns an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway. The three-pot mates exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission and joins the already familiar 2.0-liter four-banger that cranks out 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. The latter can be connected to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

Pricing for the 2015 Focus hatch starts from $18,625 and goes into the $23,000 range with the Titanium trim.

Conclusion

The Giulietta Business Edition is living proof that the Italian hatchback is struggling in Europe and that Alfa Romeo is doing its best to increase sales. The company's new marketing assault began in October 2014 with the Sprint model, but unlike the special edition hatch that pays tribute to the classic Giulietta Sprint, the Business Edition is merely a new trim level for the British market. Although it brings nothing spectacular to the lineup, it allows customers to buy a well-equipped model that's slightly cheaper than a mid-range trim. But while the Business model is likely to bring a few new customers into dealerships, I doubt it will turn the Giulietta into a successful car locally.