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NEW ALFA GT IN THE UK

NEW ALFA GT IN THE UK

The new Alfa GT, a true Gran Turismo sports coupe in the classic Alfa Romeo tradition, has just gone on sale in the UK, offering full four seater accommodation, with substantial luggage space.

Designed by Bertone, in collaboration with Alfa Romeo Centro Stile at Arese, in Milan, the new Alfa GT combines renowned engineering prowess and a comprehensive range of safety systems with elegant, sports coupe coachwork, evoking Alfa Romeo’s peerless heritage of benchmark GT cars, from the 1900 SS to the Giulietta Sprint and Giulia Sprint GT created by Bertone in 1963.

Four versions of the new Alfa GT, priced from £20,995 to £26,695 on-the-road and featuring three widely acclaimed state-of-the-art petrol and diesel powerplants, will become available from launch – a 1.9 JTD 16v M-Jet, 2.0 JTS and 2.0 JTS Selespeed, and a flagship 3.2 litre V6 – with a 1.8 Twin Spark version completing the range later this year.

Extending the company’s on-going pre-eminence in the field of diesel technology, Alfa Romeo’s revolutionary 1.9 JTD 16v MultiJet turbodiesel unit now combines an uprated power delivery of 150 bhp with a remarkable 225 lb.ft (305 Nm) of torque – a figure even greater than that generated by the Alfa GT’s inspirational 240 bhp 3.2 litre petrol V6.

The Alfa GT’s 2.0 JTS unit is one of the world’s most powerful direct injection petrol engines in production, boasting over 82 bhp per litre and torque above 74 lb.ft per litre. This outstanding unit takes its name – Jet Thrust Stoichiometric – from its specific combustion system.

At the top of the range, a quadruple overhead camshaft, all-aluminium 3.2 litre 24-valve V6 is the same remarkable engine as that fitted to the Alfa GTV, Spider and 166 models. This superlative powerplant’s breadth of torque allows the new Alfa GT to cruise effortlessly in sixth gear at just 2000 rpm, yet return performance figures of 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 150 mph.

Both 1.9 JTD 16v M-Jet turbodiesel and 3.2 litre V6 naturally aspirated petrol units are mated to 6-speed manual transmissions, while the 2.0 JTS engine comes with a choice of either a 5-speed manual gearbox or Alfa Romeo’s familiar Selespeed transmission; a sophisticated electro-hydraulic system with paddle shift operation.

The new Alfa GT employs a double wishbone front and MacPherson strut rear suspension layout, based on that of the Alfa 156. However, the new GT features stiffer anti-roll bars, softer springs and revised damper settings. The GT 3.2 V6 chassis is based on that of the 156 GTA, with revisions to spring, damper and anti-roll bar settings.

The Alfa GT's powerful braking system features 284 mm ventilated discs at the front and 276 mm rear discs. The GT 3.2 V6's braking performance is further enhanced by the installation of 330 mm ventilated front discs for even greater, fade-free stopping power. The Alfa GT offers highly direct, lively and responsive speed-sensitive power assisted steering, with a rack requiring just 2.2 turns lock-to-lock.

Both passive and active safety features are comprehensively represented in the Alfa GT. In addition to six airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and a fully integrated Fire Prevention System, the new car comes with a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art electronic braking, traction control and stability systems. ABS anti-lock braking is combined with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution over all four wheels, and a sophisticated Vehicle Dynamic Control unit enhances cornering stability. VDC is further augmented by Anti-Slip Regulation to limit wheelspin during acceleration, and Motor Slip Regulation to modulate braking torque when changing down through the gears.

The sporting lines and compact dimensions of the new Alfa GT belie a surprisingly spacious, flexible interior. The 60:40 split/folding rear seat offers co