06.04.2004 THE STUNNING NEW ALFA ROMEO GT COUPE IS PROVING A REAL HIT FOR ENGLISH RETAILER SMART ALFA
With more than four years of experience in sourcing and selling new Alfa Romeos, totalling in excess of three thousand fulfilled orders, it is not surprising that independent retailer Smart Alfa has once again successfully second-guessed the Alfa buying market, this time with the exciting new GT Coupe.
The evocative GT Coupe, first glimpsed at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, was officially presented in the autumn at the Frankfurt IAA. Eagerly awaited by enthusiasts, it represents a long awaited return to the sports coupe segment for the Italian marque.
Designed by Bertone, the GT packages Alfa Romeo’s engineering heritage into a shape which is inspired by a typical sense of Italian style and flair. Stunning in the flesh, demand for the sporty five seat coupe has been instant.
As well as the style and sophistication it oozes, the sporty five seater's practicality, comfort and versatility are unsurpassed in the coupe market. Class leading performance is delivered through a range of powerful engine solutions.
Smart Alfa’s highly focused team immediately realised the GT would be a big hit in the UK, so they set about procuring examples for their customers. With more than eighty now sourced, the first batch of ten cars, already sold, have just arrived at Smart’s new purpose-built facility where a careful and thorough check will be performed before customers take delivery.
Smart’s enthusiastic director Ned Kirkham, “We fell for the car the moment we first saw it, it is a worthy bearer of the famous badge. Interest from our customers has been amazing and we are working flat out to satisfy demand.”
The initial batch comprises the 216km/h 165bhp 2.0 JTS version, which comes with opulent specification levels, including a leather interior, Bose sound system, MP3 player, 10 CD interchanger, an aluminium gearshift and stylish multi-spoke 16-inch alloys shod with 205/55 tyres.
As usual, the Smart philosophy of cutting prices is foremost, and these GT’s have been sold for £20,999, a saving of almost £3,000 over the UK retail price.
Smart’s personal favourite is the 150bhp 1.9 M-Jet, the first of the next generation common rail turbodiesels, while the GT range is completed by the exhilarating 240bhp 3.2-litre V6 engine version which boasts a six speed transmission.
Safety has been taken seriously. Active features include VDC with brake assist, ABS, EBD and ASR, while passive safety includes six standard airbags and Xenon headlamps.
Meanwhile Smart are already laying plans to take the 3.2 V6 version onto the British race tracks next year, building on a growing sporting tradition that previously saw them sponsor two 147’s in the 2001 British Touring Championship.
Ned Kirkham again. “We had great fun with the touring car program a couple of years ago and have been actively looking for a new opening. The GT is just crying out to be raced!”
“All in all the new GT is an incredible combination of traditional Alfa Romeo styling and contemporary design, guaranteed to make this one of most exciting offerings for some years.”
The Smart
Car Group aims to offer a service that cuts out the hassle of importing cars,
offering a standard one would expect from a dealer but at a substantial saving.
Respected motoring weekly Autocar recently commented, "The integrity,
professionalism and standards of customer care of Smart Alfa have never been
questioned by any of Autocar's 276,000 weekly readers. Autocar is the oldest and
most respected magazine brand in the industry, and our readers expect
trustworthy, impartial and genuine editorial from their purchase. They expect
the same from the advertisers and frequently inform us of poor value for money,
or bad service. We have no reason to doubt that Smart Alfa is all it professes
to be!"
Smart Alfa are presently offering a range of deals, with up
to £4,000 off the UK
list price, new owners are registered as the first keeper and for complete piece
of mind a comprehensive 3-year warranty is provided.
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