Alfa Romeo GT

Infobox Automobile


name = Alfa Romeo GT
aka =
manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
parent_company = Fiat Group
production = 2004-present
assembly = Pomigliano d'Arco, ItalyCite web|url=http://www.fiatgroup.com/comuni/php/file_get.php?w=NDOPGL4LDI8MWXCPERTD|title=MAIN FIAT GROUP AUTOMOBILES PLANTS IN THE WORLD|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=fiatgroup.com]
successor =
class = Sports car
body_style = Coupé
layout = FF layout
platform =
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 seq. manual (Selespeed)
wheelbase = 2596 mm (102.2 in)Cite web|url=http://www.carfolio.com/search/results/?terms=alfa+romeo+GT|title=Search results for "alfa romeo GT"|accessdate=2008-01-18|work=carfolio.com]
length = 4489 mm (176.7 in)
width = 1763 mm (69.4 in)
height = 1355 mm (53.3 in) (V6)
1362 mm (53.6 in)
ground_clearance =
weight = 1395-1485 kg (3075-3273 lb)
top_speed =
fuel_capacity =
related = Alfa Romeo 156
Alfa Romeo 147
similar =
fuel_capacity = Convert|63|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on
designer = Bertone

The Alfa Romeo GT is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo since 2004. The GT was introduced in March 2003 Geneva Motor Show and it came for sale in Italian markets January 2004.

The GT was based on the platform of Alfa's outgoing mid-size 156 sedan/saloon car, with the coupé body styled by Bertone.Cite web|url=http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/alfa_gtcoupe.asp|title=2006 Alfa Romeo GT Coupe 3.2 V6|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=rsportscars.com] Most mechanicals are taken directly from the 156,Cite web|url=http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/alfa_gtcoupe.asp|title=2006 Alfa Romeo GT Coupe 3.2 V6|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=rsportscars.com] with some influence from the slightly more modern 147 in the double wishbone front suspension setup and the multilink rear system. 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 as well as having a very similar electrical system. The engine range includes 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 luxurious Grand Tourer in Alfa Romeo's range, and sits alongside the more sporting 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 has 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.Cite web|url=http://www.fiatautopress.com/index.php?method=cartelle&action=zoom&id=2006091115222690d0145df104cc008de302a82c192ae7|title=Alfa Romeo at the 2006 Paris International Motor Show|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=fiatautopress.com]

Appearance

The GT has been widely acclaimed for its attractive styling and purposeful good looksCite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/living/motoring/road_tests/article44893.ece|title=The Verdict: Alfa Gt|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=independent.co.uk] Cite web|url=http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,15261471-27286,00.html|title=Alfa GT a real thoroughbred|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=carsguide.news.com.au] . 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 convert|11.5|m|ft|1 turning circle. Fitting of the 18" wheel option also introduces torque steer in the higher torque engines like the 1.9 diesel and the 3.2 petrol.

Engines

The Auto PS|240|0 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 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 15 more power and more frugal fuel consumption.

The 1.9 direct injection diesel unit seems to be the most popular option however, the high torque output at low revs giving 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 convert|600|mi|km per tank at motorway speeds.

Braking system

For stopping power, there are Auto mm|284|1 ventilated discs up front and Auto mm|276|1 at the rear. The most powerful version 3.2 L has Auto mm|330|1 ventilated discs at front.Cite web|url=http://www.fiatautopress.com/download/SYSTEM_PDF/Schede_Tec_AlfaGT_GBR.pdf|title=Technical specifications|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=fiatautopress.com/download] The GT comes as standard with anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and hydraulic brake assistance.

=Engine specificationsCite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.it/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/ALFAROMEO_ITALIA/models/cartech.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@2081899574.1185894490@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddlikilejdcefecejgdfiidgnk.0&modelKey=125MY|title=Caratteristiche tecniche|accessdate=2007-07-31|work=alfaromeo.it] Cite web|url=http://www.fiatautopress.com/download/GRUPPO01%7E08_SCHEDE_TECNICHE_AR/080219_AR_GT19JTDM170CV_ST_GBR.pdf|title=Technical specifications Alfa GT 1.9 JTDM 16v 170 CV and Q2 system|accessdate=2008-02-19|work=fiatautopress.com] =

=Performance Cite web|url=http://www.fiatautopress.com/download/GRUPPO01%7E08_SCHEDE_TECNICHE_AR/080219_AR_GT19JTDM170CV_ST_GBR.pdf|title=Technical specifications Alfa GT 1.9 JTDM 16v 170 CV and Q2 system|accessdate=2008-02-19|work=fiatautopress.com] =

References

External links

* [http://www.alfaromeo.com/gt Official website (international)]
* [http://www.alfaromeo.co.uk/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/ALFAROMEO_UK/models/models.jsp?categoryOID=-1073766608 Official website (UK)]
* [http://www.alfaromeo.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=18510 Official website (Australia)]
* [http://www.sportsalfa.com/ Alfa Owners Forum]
* [http://www.alfa-gt.de/ GT-Forum & Community]