| INTRODUCTION
Appealing style, refined
technology and all the temperament of true sports cars: meet the new Alfa
Spider and Alfa GTV at their Italian debut. Just over one month after their
world premier (at the recent Geneva Motor Show), the new models designed
by the Pininfarina Style Centre are ready to meet the world's motor trade
press ahead of their May launch date.
Both models come with a brand-new
look and a revised range of specifications and power units, though their
timeless appeal is unchanged: driving satisfaction in a sporty, stylish
package.
A quick glance at the shape
reveals improvements to the car's exterior appearance. Firstly, the front
end is now more imposing and distinctive. This impression of solidity and
dynamism is complemented by side pillars that are the source of the traditional
V-shape on the bonnet: two converging ribs that delimit and emphasise a
central bulge that hints at the presence of the powerful, beefy engine
beneath.
The new Alfa Spider and Alfa
GTV also preserve the same wedge-shaped line emphasised by a cut-off tail
that gives the vehicle body a strong sense of aggression. Similarly, it
was decided not to change the strongly raked windscreen and the emphatically
shelved side that give both models their slender, dynamic looks. The much-appreciated
profile of both sports models has also been kept, including the Alfa GTV's
high cut-off end and the open-topped sports car's slender, tapering rear.
The 16" light alloy wheels,
on the other hand, are new, as are the three body shade options: Brunello
Red, Racing Green and Cobalt Blue.
Several new features have
been added inside the new Alfa Spider and Alfa GTV, beginning with a lower
driver seating level in relation to the ground (H point) for improved driving
comfort. The interiors have also been redefined to make them more stylish
and user-friendly. This tendency is evident in the black facia and the
brand-new central console panel that houses the ASR key, radio and satellite
navigation system. The lighting on the instrument panel and controls is
now red while a new cloth trim is available for seats and interiors. All
these factors help emphasise the concept of stylish sportiness that has
always typified the Alfa Romeo brand.
The new Alfa Spider and Alfa
GTV power units are also bound to arouse plenty of interest. Just for starters,
the models now offer two engines that have already met with considerable
success on other Alfa Romeo models: the 165 bhp (121 kW) 2.0 JTS and the
240 bhp (176 kW) 3.2 V6 24 valve.
The 2.0 JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric)
is a revolutionary petrol engine with direct injection that offers a specific
power rating in excess of 60 kW/l and a specific torque of more than 100
Nm/l. The second power unit is the spirited 3.2 V6 24 valve unit, with
a power output of 240 bhp (176 kW) at 6200 rpm that boasts a torque curve
of up to 289 Nm (29.4 kgm) at 4800 rpm and can ensure exhilarating performance
during sporty driving and also during everyday use. More specifically,
a GTV equipped with this engine reaches 255 km/h, a performance that makes
this the fastest on-road car in Alfa Romeo's history.
The last power unit to grace
the new range is the 150 bhp (110 kW) 2.0 T.Spark, a distillation of Alfa's
experience in Twin Spark technology. The performance is outstanding: the
GTV reaches a top speed of 215 km/h, while the Spider reaches 210 km/h.
Both cars take just 8.5 seconds to speed from 0 to 100 km/h. |
