mikeyb
02-15-2005, 05:58 AM
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-f3q-s.jpg
The Alfa GT may be the most attractive Alfa Romeo for years, with a svelte but powerful-looking shape, aggressive front end and poised rear. But Alfa's ad proclamation, 'beauty is not enough' holds true here - the GT also rides on an excellent chassis and employs three superb engines.
The 240bhp 3.2-litre V6 is magnificent but provokes loads of torque steer while the 1.9-litre JTD diesel, although very good, doesn't have quite the punch of the petrol 2.0-litre engine. The 2.0-litre JTS combines 165bhp with 152lb ft of torque, which makes it a good match for GT.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-rside-a.jpg
The four-cylinder 16-valve direct injection petrol engine is mounted up front and is mated to either a five-speed manual or Selespeed gearbox. The GT wears 16-inch alloy wheels as standard, but 17-inch wheels are a must-have option. There are 18-inch alloy wheels available, but the extra width pinches from the GT's 11.5-metre turning circle.
For stopping power, there are 284mm ventilated discs up front and 276mm at the rear. ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and hydraulic brake assistance (HBA) act on all four wheels to reduce stopping distances in poor conditions.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-f-a.jpg
Six airbags are fitted as standard, and other active safety measures include vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with anti-slip regulation (ASR). Although VDC cannot be switched off, it does not take away any driver involvement. If it senses the car starting to slide, it will counteract the action by braking the appropriate wheel to bring the car back to its intended cornering line. ASR limits wheel spin and can be turned off when driving in snowy conditions to avoid very slow progress.
The GT's suspension is based on that of the 156, which brings double wishbones up front and MacPherson strut at the rear. Stiffer anti-roll bars, softer springs and revised damper settings over the 156 make for a very good package, giving the GT very little understeer except when powering hard through corners where some speed is scrubbed off from the front tyres.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-r3q-s.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-f3q-s.jpg
Although the GT is a coupe, it has a full hatchback rear enabling the whole rear screen to be opened. This opens onto a cavernous boot capable of holding 320 litres of baggage. A ski hatch is fitted in the middle rear seat for longer loads. The seats are even more flexible as the rear row will fold forward flat much like in a hatchback, giving a load area of 905 litres.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-dash.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-wheel.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-rear-seats.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-boot.jpg
Other interior cosmetic touches include a brushed aluminium-look gear knob with chrome shaft, but sadly no machined aluminium H-gate. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, and the rest of the dashboard is typical 147/156. A single-slot CD player with eight speakers comes as standard but a MP3-capable stereo is available, as is the fabulous Bose system upgrade which adds a sub-woofer to the boot. A ten-CD multichanger can be specified and is fitted in the boot.
The rear seats are just about spacious enough for adults, although taller people will feel a bit claustrophobic on longer haul trips. However, for kids or those of smaller dimensions they're ideal.
The GT lives up to its Grand Tourer name fairly well, with a relaxed engine characteristic at motorway speeds. However, if a tempting B-road comes up, the handling is composed, with little body roll through corners. There is, however, considerable wind noise at speed.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-silver-r3q-a.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-silver-fside-a.jpg
For £21,495 the 2.0 GT is good value for money with six airbags, heated mirrors, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows, fog lights and ISOFIX mounting points on the rear seats. Some of the options are a bit pricey, i.e. £840 for Xenon discharge headlights and £1,800 for Nuvola blue iridescent paint (it changes colour in the light), so go easy as you may not get the cash back on resale. Although there are plenty of Alfa dealers ready to bite your hand off to order a GT (all cars are made to order), make sure your dealership has a good reputation for sales and after-sales service before you put pen to paper.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-f3q-a.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-rside-a.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/driving-impressions-2004/A/alfa-gt-20-jts/gt-20-jts.html
The Alfa GT may be the most attractive Alfa Romeo for years, with a svelte but powerful-looking shape, aggressive front end and poised rear. But Alfa's ad proclamation, 'beauty is not enough' holds true here - the GT also rides on an excellent chassis and employs three superb engines.
The 240bhp 3.2-litre V6 is magnificent but provokes loads of torque steer while the 1.9-litre JTD diesel, although very good, doesn't have quite the punch of the petrol 2.0-litre engine. The 2.0-litre JTS combines 165bhp with 152lb ft of torque, which makes it a good match for GT.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-rside-a.jpg
The four-cylinder 16-valve direct injection petrol engine is mounted up front and is mated to either a five-speed manual or Selespeed gearbox. The GT wears 16-inch alloy wheels as standard, but 17-inch wheels are a must-have option. There are 18-inch alloy wheels available, but the extra width pinches from the GT's 11.5-metre turning circle.
For stopping power, there are 284mm ventilated discs up front and 276mm at the rear. ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and hydraulic brake assistance (HBA) act on all four wheels to reduce stopping distances in poor conditions.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-f-a.jpg
Six airbags are fitted as standard, and other active safety measures include vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with anti-slip regulation (ASR). Although VDC cannot be switched off, it does not take away any driver involvement. If it senses the car starting to slide, it will counteract the action by braking the appropriate wheel to bring the car back to its intended cornering line. ASR limits wheel spin and can be turned off when driving in snowy conditions to avoid very slow progress.
The GT's suspension is based on that of the 156, which brings double wishbones up front and MacPherson strut at the rear. Stiffer anti-roll bars, softer springs and revised damper settings over the 156 make for a very good package, giving the GT very little understeer except when powering hard through corners where some speed is scrubbed off from the front tyres.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-r3q-s.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-f3q-s.jpg
Although the GT is a coupe, it has a full hatchback rear enabling the whole rear screen to be opened. This opens onto a cavernous boot capable of holding 320 litres of baggage. A ski hatch is fitted in the middle rear seat for longer loads. The seats are even more flexible as the rear row will fold forward flat much like in a hatchback, giving a load area of 905 litres.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-dash.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-wheel.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-rear-seats.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-boot.jpg
Other interior cosmetic touches include a brushed aluminium-look gear knob with chrome shaft, but sadly no machined aluminium H-gate. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, and the rest of the dashboard is typical 147/156. A single-slot CD player with eight speakers comes as standard but a MP3-capable stereo is available, as is the fabulous Bose system upgrade which adds a sub-woofer to the boot. A ten-CD multichanger can be specified and is fitted in the boot.
The rear seats are just about spacious enough for adults, although taller people will feel a bit claustrophobic on longer haul trips. However, for kids or those of smaller dimensions they're ideal.
The GT lives up to its Grand Tourer name fairly well, with a relaxed engine characteristic at motorway speeds. However, if a tempting B-road comes up, the handling is composed, with little body roll through corners. There is, however, considerable wind noise at speed.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-silver-r3q-a.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-silver-fside-a.jpg
For £21,495 the 2.0 GT is good value for money with six airbags, heated mirrors, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows, fog lights and ISOFIX mounting points on the rear seats. Some of the options are a bit pricey, i.e. £840 for Xenon discharge headlights and £1,800 for Nuvola blue iridescent paint (it changes colour in the light), so go easy as you may not get the cash back on resale. Although there are plenty of Alfa dealers ready to bite your hand off to order a GT (all cars are made to order), make sure your dealership has a good reputation for sales and after-sales service before you put pen to paper.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-f3q-a.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/A/alfa-romeo/gt/03-large/04-red-rside-a.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/driving-impressions-2004/A/alfa-gt-20-jts/gt-20-jts.html