Alfa Romeo GT; Review

 

As two Italian car enthusiasts together, an acquaintance of mine and I were chatting the other day about the direction of Italian automotive industry.

My friend said he was disappointed that the classic coupes of generations gone by have all but disappeared, most car makers now concentrating on sports sedans and hatchbacks.

I immediately replied by saying: "What about Alfa Romeo's new GT. Even though it is a three-door liftback, doesn't it have that classic coupe look?'' We couldn't agree on the concept, but did decide that the new Alfa GT has definite character and is a car that embodies the fine Italian tradition of building cars with passion, a car that continues the spirit of old with beautiful looks, raw speed and brilliant handling.

And take into account it is fitted with one of my favourite engines, the 3.2-litre quad-camshaft V6 which has sound and strength, the GT is a definite grand tourer.

Alfa Romeo have launched the model in just one variant, the beautiful Bertone-designed shape is low, sleek and downright sexy. The car is a practical four-seater (five at a pinch, full overshoulder seat belts are fitted for all), there is a good amount of rear cargo space, while entry and exit through the two doors isn't overly difficult. Safety has been given a high priority with no fewer than six air bags fitted along with ABS and its associated stability and traction control components.

Black leather covers the seats, while other trim details are co-ordinated to produce a sporty/luxury feel which helps provide an ambience that genuine GT buyers would relate to, the Alfa Romeo heritage well intact.

Specification includes dual zone climate control, cruise control, fully electric operating systems including seat adjustment (also heated), trip computer, six-CD Bose audio, remote central locking with immobiliser, variable intermittent wipers and tilt and reach-adjustable steering column.

Leather also wraps the steering wheel and it is home to satellite audio buttons, the entire atmosphere reeks of quality.

And if you add that to the brilliance of the engineering components, the GT exudes excitement. The engine is rated by Alfa Romeo at 176kW and with 300Nm of torque available at 4800rpm, then its strength almost seems overwhelming.

Peak power is available at 6200rpm and the engine will rev to that point willingly, the redline is marked at 7000rpm.

I've driven models with this engine several times before, and each time I try to get as many people looking under the bonnet as is practical. It is sheer beauty with its chromed plenum tubes and distinctive red lettering on the rocker covers. While it looks fantastic it sounds even better with a combination of exhaust burble, shrill crackle and high revolution howl that completely tantalises the senses.

When driving the car around town I always had the window down just to hear all the sounds and different tones, blipping the throttle so that the exhaust noise resonated off buildings and other objects.

It is an engine of true character and its strength is amazing. Alfa Romeo claim a 0-100kmh time of 6.7sec with a top speed of 243kmh. A 4.5sec time to make 120kmh from 80kmh is also achievable, straight line speed is ushered in with verve and excitement.

As you would expect in a true driver's car, the big V6 is hooked to a six-speed manual gearbox only, the ratios are low and close and the gear shift lever has close movement through the gate. Clutch action is relatively light with good progression. The engine/gearbox combination is structured so that the driver gets to enjoy the experience no matter what speed the car is being driven.

However, it is on the long flowing roads of the Canterbury high country that the car really makes an impression.

While the bottom gears are low enough to provide initial inertia and momentum the high gears are quite tall which allow for high open road speeds, although we must take into account all speed limits. At 100kmh in sixth gear the engine is turning over slowly at 2500rpm (2900rpm in fifth) returning instantaneous fuel usage figures of 9.6 litres per 100km (29mpg).

My test average of 11.3l/100km (25mpg) wasn't quite so favourable, but are an indication of how much I enjoyed the willingness and strength of the engine. Its mid range response is wilfully fast, the high torque figure and peaky power characteristics combine to create huge speed potential.

Putting power to ground is the job of Alfa Romeo's vehicle dynamic control system, a traction and stability control function which is relatively non-invasive and can also be deactivated by the driver. I left it on all of the time because my testing day was spoilt by a strong sou'wester bringing driving rain which drenched the roads. However, I found out enough about the car to say it has decisive handling ability.

The front wishbone/rear strut suspension is well firmed, but there is also a lot of suspension travel and feel, and the compliance within the system provides the occupants with comfortable travel, yet exemplary handling manners.

Providing the grip are wide, low profile 225/45 x 17in Bridgestone tyres which keep a constant road footprint, push through the front driving axles is kept well in check. Aimed at a series of fast flowing bends, information received from the road surface is constantly involving, directional accuracy is wonderful while body balance is controlled unbelievably.

The GT is as good a handler as you'll ever get to find, its surety at both ends is not only comforting but invites the confidence a driver needs to have in a fast car. In tighter, slower corners the sensation is much the same, the steering rack rattles a little when rough bumps or ruts are encountered mid-corner, but that is not disconcerting. And, if its composure in a corner isn't enough of a confidence builder, then its surety under brakes is the icing on the cake, the four-disc set-up has stunning retardation and braking effect.

At $82,900 the Alfa Romeo GT could almost be classed a sports car bargain. Its brilliance on the road and specification level mean little has been forgotten in the quest for driver satisfaction.

I hope that Alfa Romeo don't relinquish their tenure on the current 3.2-litre V6 engine too early, the GT may eventually end up with General Motors' new global V6 which is built in several locations around the world, including Holden's engine plant in Melbourne (See separate story).

I'm not saying that that engine is inferior, but I doubt that it would have the character of Alfa Romeo's own unit. It is something surely to lust after, as is the GT itself. What a stunning combination.

Specifications

Price: Alfa Romeo GT, $82,990.

Dimensions: Length, 4489mm; width, 1763mm; height, 1355mm.

Configuration: V6 transverse, front-wheel-drive, 3179cc, 176kW/6200rpm, 300Nm/4800rpm, six-speed manual.

Performance: 0-100kmh, 6.7sec; maximum speed, 243kmh.