Press Release
Alfa GT: the ‘sports coupé’ as Alfa Romeo sees it
Designed jointly with Bertone, the Alfa GT embodies original styling, lavish accoutrements and exciting performance, and a new conception of sportiness that embodies comfort and elegance, while it respects the brand’s tradition. The Alfa GT packs the results of Alfa’s superlative engineering heritage into a shape inspired by a sense of style and flair that could only be Italian. The stylists were also able to call on a great Alfa Romeo tradition that has brought us models that remain benchmarks for the category: from the 1900 SS to the Giulietta Sprint, the Alfetta and the Giulia Sprint GT. This latter car in particular, designed by Nuccio Bertone in 1963, shares with the new coupé the same sporting character, soft, tapered lines and great Italian elegance.
With a length of 4.48 metres, width of 1.76 metres and a height of 1.37 metres, the Alfa GT is aggressive and compact (its wheelbase is 2596 millimetres), with a shape marked by certain distinctive traits that define its strong personality and render it immediately recognisable as an Alfa. Hence the designers’ decision to go for smooth, clean motifs and shapes marked by an unmistakable sense of Italian flair. The result is a strong, spare front end dominated by an Alfa Romeo family resemblance encapsulated by the distinctive three-lobed motif bearing a shield that is slightly larger in size than at present. The entire car appears to grow from this point to combine a slight edge of styling aggression with outstanding elegance of form. This impression is reinforced by two side air intakes and light clusters that are objects of beauty in their own right.
Dashing and solid but also dynamic and sturdy. It took a clever balancing act to wed such disparate features. This contrast is evident in the Alfa GT’s profile where a side shelf conveys the idea of a car that is agile but also anchored to the ground. And there is more. The taut lines that meet at the rear and the small area of glass (compared to the sides) add elegance and a heightened sense of protection. The slightly raked and tapering tail design is also brand new and paired with large, integral bumpers. The rear window is drop-shaped, while the light clusters are embedded in the body to create an attractive wraparound look.
The Alfa GT is a sports car, but one that is unmistakably comfortable and elegant. The aim of the car is to offer all the driving satisfaction of a top-performing coupé, but combined with practicality and versatility. In fact, the luggage compartment offers a capacity of 320 dm3, one of the best for this segment, and it can be extended to 905 dm3 by exploiting the many different combinations of the split, completely reclining seats.
Like the exterior shape, the interior of the Alfa GT is as sporty as Alfa Romeos get, thanks to the ideal position of the steering wheel, pedals and gearbox (designed specifically for maximum vehicle control), the functional, easy to read instruments, and the multifunction display that gives access to several menus (each with their own submenus) with a wide range of functions, plus the trip computer. In addition to which, a built-in radio and all the controls for the elegant automatic dual zone climate control system are positioned at the centre of the facia. The radio, which incorporates a CD player (and an MP3 player on request), also offers an outstanding acoustic system, designed and calibrated to the passenger compartment, that consists of eight speakers and delivers a power output of 4x40 Watts. The Alfa GT adds a host of sophisticated devices and systems to this array of equipment, such as the Bose® Hi-Fi system and Cruise Control, that make it a new benchmark in its segment.
Powerful, smooth engines
Behind fascinating styling and a strong personality, the Alfa GT hides a comprehensive range of excellent engines with cutting-edge technologies and generous performance. They are the best proof of the ‘cuore sportivo’ that has always been a feature of Alfa Romeo models, past and present. The Alfa GT is no exception. First of all, the sparkling 3.2 V6 24 valve which delivers 240 bhp (176 kW) at 6200 rpm, with a torque curve of 300 Nm (30.6 kgm) at 4800 rpm, thanks to which it guarantees exciting performance with a sporty driving style, but also during everyday use. The second engine is the 2.0 JTS which delivers 165 bhp (121 kW), the first direct injection petrol engine with a specific power output that exceeds 60 kW/l (82 bhp/l), and specific torque of over 100 Nm/l. The third and last petrol engine is the 1.8 Twin Spark which delivers 140 bhp (103 kW), the epitome of Alfa Twin Spark technology. The Alfa GT engine range is completed by the 1.9 M-Jet 16v turbodiesel which delivers 150 bhp (110 kW), the first of the second generation of Common Rail engines. There is a choice of two mechanical gearboxes: a six-speed unit available with the 3.2 V6 24V and the 1.9 M-Jet 16v, and a five-speed unit for the 1.8 Twin Spark and 2.0 JTS engines. The latter is also available in conjunction with the Selespeed robotised gearbox which promises comfortable, safe, sporty driving in all situations.
The most sophisticated technology at the service of safety
Maximum protection for driver and passengers thanks to the adoption of the most sophisticated systems and devices on the market today. This is what the Alfa GT promises, and maintains. For example, where preventive safety is concerned, the new model offers Xenon headlights, and in the field of active safety it can boast an integral diagonally split hydraulic braking system complete with the latest generation ABS and EBD brake effort distribution, VDC with Brake Assist for total control of the car’s dynamic stability in all conditions, an ASR function that prevents longitudinal wheel slip, and the MSR system that reduces torque to control slip. The standard passive safety outfit includes six airbags: two frontal, two front sidebags and two curtain-bags.
The Alfa GT adopts a high double-wishbone suspension at the front to ensure maximum lateral hold, and very efficient and precise response to the steering wheel, and excellent traction. All these characteristics combine with the capacity to absorb and dampen road roughness typical of the most comfortable cars in this segment. The high double wishbones achieve outstanding longitudinal flexibility on the side of the wheel with no negative influence on cornering efficiency and steering dynamics.
The car’s behaviour on the road is also the result of a rear axle that enhances stability in high speed manoeuvres and guarantees the agility of a true sports car on mixed narrow roads. This is why the choice went to a MacPherson system at the rear, with asymmetrical struts and improved elastokinematic specifications. The rear suspension on the Alfa GT is connected to the chassis by a cross beam in vacuum cast aluminium. The advantages of the MacPherson system are its low weight, excellent comfort (guaranteed by the possibility of ample wheel shaking and longitudinal flexibility) and the many possibilities to adjust the trim control.
The range
To guarantee maximum freedom of choice, the range of the Alfa Romeo sports coupé stands out for the refined materials and features that can be combined to reflect the motorist’s personality. As well as the brand new ‘Q2’ version, the Alfa GT is available on all the major European markets in two outfits (Progression and Distinctive) and two Special Series (Collezione and Black Line) which can be fitted out with the equipment most in demand on individual markets. For example, in Italy, the Progression outfit comes with six airbags (front, side and curtain-bags), ABS with EBD electronic brake distribution and ASR. Standard equipment also includes dual zone automatic climate control, a trip computer with a multifunction display, RDS radio with CD player, a split folding rear seat (60/40), remote control to open/close the doors and luggage compartment, electric, heated door mirrors, the ‘follow me home’ device and foglights. The outfit is completed by a front armrest with an oddment container, mats, leather covered steering wheel and gear lever knob and Cruise Control. And the seats and panels are upholstered with Alfatex®, the technical fabric patented by Alfa Romeo that exudes comfort and elegance.
The Distinctive outfit offers the same contents as the Progression, with the addition of leather upholstery on the seats and panelling (black, blue, red, hide and grey), radio controls on the steering wheel, radio with CD and MP3 player, and a Bose Hi-Fi system with sub-woofer.
Addressing a more sophisticated clientele, the ‘Collezione’ Special Series has a number of exclusive elements and features: 17” alloys (with a double-spoke pattern and chrome treatment), front headlights with black frames, two-tone leather or cloth upholstered seats (black/cream or blue/cream) and colour-coded facia. The gaiters of the gear lever and hand brake are also colour-coded, matching the mats, the central console and the side bulkheads. And finally, this refined Alfa GT also offers a map navigator with a telephone and voice controls, complete with a subscription to the infotelematic services.
Designed for a young, dynamic clientele, the Alfa GT Black Line features a very sporty outfit, epitomised by the steering wheel and seats upholstered in various combinations of black/red or black/grey leather or cloth, colour-coded mats, sports pedals and silkscreen heel-high strip. The black-framed front headlights, satin finish central grille, smoked repeaters on the front bumper, door mirror housings with satin-finish chroming, and 18” perforated aluminium colour alloys are all specific to this version.
So many versions of the Alfa GT to choose from, all offering great value for money and, above all, heirs to a motoring tradition that Alfa Romeo helped create and has now taken one step further: the stylish sports coupé.
