>>Alfa Romeo GT

Alfa Romeo GT

Alfa Romeo GT

Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	2003-2010
Assembly	Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy
Class	Sports car
Body style	Coupé
Layout	FF layout
Engine	Petrol: 1.8 L TS 2.0 L JTS 3.2 L V6 Diesel: 1.9 L JTD
Transmission	5 and 6-speed manual 5-speed semi-auto (Selespeed)
Wheelbase	2,596 mm (102.2 in)
Length	4,489 mm (176.7 in)
Width	1,763 mm (69.4 in)
Height	1,355 mm (53.3 in) (V6) 1,362 mm (53.6 in)
Curb weight	1,395–1,485 kg (3,080–3,270 lb)
Related	Alfa Romeo 156 Alfa Romeo 147
Designer	Bertone

The Alfa Romeo GT is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 2003 and 2010. A total of 80,832 units were produced. The GT was introduced in March 2003 Geneva Motor Show and it came for sale in Italian markets January 2004. It was built at the Pomigliano plant, southern Italy, alongside the 147 and 159.

History

Like the 147, the GT was based on the same platform used in 156, with the coupé body styled by Bertone. Most mechanicals are taken directly from the 156/147using the same double wishbone front suspension and McPherson rear setup as those two cars. The interior is based heavily on that of the smaller hatchback 147 and utilises many common parts. The GT utilises the same dash layout and functions, the complete climate control system as well as having a very similar electrical system. The engine range includes both a 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engine, a 1.9 MultiJet turbodiesel, and a top-of-the-range 3.2 V6 petrol.

The GT is positioned as a sports car in Alfa Romeo's range, and sits alongside the Grand Tourer Brera (which is based on the newer mid-size Alfa 159 sedan/saloon car). Both cars can be viewed as successors to the 916-series GTV. Keeping two mid-sized sports coupés in production simultaneously is unusual and the two cars could be construed as being in competition with each other. If Alfa Romeo is viewed as the sporting arm of the larger Fiat group however the move makes more sense: with no sporting Fiat badged cars currently in production, the marketplace arguably had ample room for both these cars, each being tailored to a different niche. Historically Alfa's strategy of developing sporting cars from their conventional sedan/saloon car offerings has found much favour among traditional Alfisti, and ensured good sales.

In 2006 Alfa introduced a 1.9 JTD Q2 version with limited slip differential, and also added a new trim level called Black Line. In 2008 Alfa introduced the cloverleaf model as a limited edition complete with new trim levels, lowered suspension, body kit, 18 inch alloy wheels and only available in the colours black, alfa red, or blue. with engines 1.8 L and 2.0 L petrol and 1.9 L Multijet turbo diesel. These are effectively the run out models and as such are very well specified.

Appearance

The GT has been widely acclaimed for its attractive styling and purposeful good looks. The design is by Bertone who have a long history of collaboration with Alfa Romeo, the most notable being the B.A.T series concepts of the 1950s. The general coupe shape resembles that of the 1980s Alfa Romeo Sprint but with clear design cues taken from more modern Alfa Romeo products. The GT wears 16-inch alloy wheels as standard, with 17-inch wheels as an option. There are 18-inch alloy wheels available, but the extra width pinches from the GT's 11.5 metres (37.7 ft) turning circle.

Engines

Rear view of an Alfa Romeo GT

The 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) 3.2-litre V6 offers good all-round performance but is prone to torque steer while the 1.9-litre JTD turbodiesel has proven to be a popular choice in comparison to the petrol 2.0-litre engine. The 3.2-litre V6 petrol unit is positioned as the 'sports' option with its large power output and distinctive Alfa Romeo exhaust note, unique to the Alfa V6 family of engines. The 1.8 Twin Spark petrol engine is lifted directly from the 156, it is a tried and tested unit giving respectable levels of power while still remaining economical. The 2.0L petrol has direct injection and is an improvement on the older 2.0L petrol unit found in the Alfa 156 on which the GT is based, with an increase of 15 PS (11.0 kW; 14.8 bhp) and better fuel consumption.

The 1.9 L direct injection diesel unit is the most popular option, the high torque output at low revs gives more of a feeling of power at "normal" road speeds compared to the 2.0-litre petrol which requires much higher revs to produce its maximum power output and is best suited to being driven hard. This combined with the significant gain in fuel economy (see statistics below) make the diesel a popular choice. The economy of the diesel combined with the power and 6 speed gearbox make it a real GT car with a range of around 600 miles (970 km) per tank at motorway speeds.

Brakes and suspension

For stopping power, there are 284 mm (11.2 in) ventilated discs up front and 276 mm (10.9 in) at the rear. The most powerful version 3.2 L and all cloverleaf models have 330 mm (13.0 in) ventilated discs at front. The GT comes as standard with anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and hydraulic brake assistance.

Despite it being a two-door or coupé, the GT does not have a 2+2 seating configuration but is a five-seater, with the rear occupants not feeling cramped for the lack of legroom. This is because of the 156 heritage, sharing the chassis. Entrance to the rear of a GT is via foldable front seats. The GT is also in fact a 3 door with a hatchback allowing access to a surprisingly large rear boot.

The latest technological advances were incorporated, such as VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which is Alfa's version of ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) or Traction Control, EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), ABS, Brake Assist and later the Q2 System. The Q2 system is Alfa's highly developed and efficient Limited-Slip Differential technology, for improved cornering (particularly in the wet) and power transfer to the wheels. This reduces wheel spin, torque steer and eliminates the understeer common to front-wheel drive cars.

Details like the wheel camber being set at a negative specification to improve cornering capabilities, as in a track vehicle, were included. Hardened and modified suspensions as opposed to the 156, thus sacrificing marginally on ride comfort for road holding. Extreme body-hugging, adjustable leather seats for minimal lateral movement during hard cornering. All of the above made the GT appealing to the performance-oriented customer.

However, Alfa Romeo integrated luxury with its 'caged panther' concept by ensuring the car was highly equipped, with standard features like power steering, trip computer, air conditioning, reverse assist, dual climate control, airbags (including 'curtain' airbags) with internal passenger sensors to decide remotely which airbags to deploy, side-mirror defrosters, and cruise control, plus options like seat warmers, leather interior, ten CD changer, satellite radio controls and windscreen sensors for automatic wiper activation.

The combined effect of these specifications created a highly developed, responsive and manoeuvrable vehicle at high speeds and in challenging conditions, making it safer and comfortable to drive every day at conventional speeds.

Engine specifications

Model	Engine	Volume	Power	Torque	Fuel cons. urban (mpg–imp (l/100 km))	Fuel cons. extra-urban (mpg–imp (l/100 km))	Fuel cons. combined (mpg–imp (l/100 km))	CO2	Notes
1.8 TS	I4	1747 cc	103 kW (140 PS) @ 6500 rpm	163 N·m (120 lb·ft) @ 3900 rpm	23.0 (12.1)	44.0 (6.4)	35.0 (8.5)	202 g/km
2.0 JTS	I4	1970 cc	121 kW (165 PS) @ 6400 rpm	206 N·m (152 lb·ft) @ 3250 rpm	23.2 (12.2)	42.2 (6.7)	32.5 (8.7)	207 g/km
3.2 V6	V6	3179 cc	177 kW (240 PS) @ 6200 rpm	289 N·m (213 lb·ft) @ 4800 rpm	15.2 (18.6)	32.5 (8.7)	22.8 (12.4)	295 g/km	Now discontinued
1.9 JTDm	I4	1910 cc	110 kW (150 PS) @4000 rpm	305 N·m (225 lb·ft) @ 2000 rpm	33.2 (8.5)	57.6 (4.9)	45.6 (6.2)	165 g/km
1.9 JTDm	I4	1910 cc	125 kW (170 PS) @3750 rpm	330 N·m (240 lb·ft) @ 2000 rpm	32 (8.7)	59 (4.8)	46 (6.2)	164 g/km	from 2008

Performance 

Model	Top speed	0–100 km/h,s 0-62 mph,s
1.8 TS	200 km/h (120 mph)	10.6
2.0 JTS/2.0 JTS Selespeed	216 km/h (134 mph)	8.7
3.2 V6	243 km/h (151 mph)	6.7
1.9 JTDm	209 km/h (130 mph)	9.2
1.9 JTDm (170 PS)	216 km/h (134 mph)	8.2

GT Cabriolet Concept

A GT Cabriolet concept car made by design house Bertone.

A softtop GT Cabrio Concept was made by Bertone in 2003, it came in public April 6 2011.The car was four-seat open version of the GT coupe, which Bertone hoped to get built in their own plant. The next generation Alfa open top car was instead built by Pininfarina using the Brera coupe as a base.