Alfa Romeo unveils facelifted Giulietta hatchback

While the world patiently awaits the Alfa Romeo Giulia, a car that is supposed to lead the Italian brand's renaissance, the latest version of that car's little sister has been unveiled.

Sporting Alfa's signature shield-shaped grille, the Giulietta hatchback gets a new look that emphasizes its "close genetic links" with the Giulia, according to the automaker.

Aside from the revised styling, the big news about the new Giulietta, at least in the U.K. market, is the new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine under the hood, but we can't help but imagine this car rounding out the initial lineup in Alfa Romeo's North American stable.

With the 4C sports car and the Giulia Quadrifoglio super sedan fighting for sales in their respective segments, a hot hatch version of the Giulia could be the perfect way to entice younger buyers to a brand that has existed only in folklore here for the better part of 20 years.

Imagine the possibilities of a turbocharged engine under the hood and a cloverleaf decal on the fender...