Description
In the early 2000's if car manufacturers adverts were to be believed, there’s one attribute which virtually all new cars had to have in common, and have had for many years, and that is they’re all ‘fun to drive’. In truth most were boring until you got into sporty models with badges like GTi, R, M, AMG etc etc....
To be fair Alfa Romeo didnt make that vapid claim in those precise words for its new model, at least not in print, but the GTA is nonetheless huge fun to drive and was a welcome tonic for anyone becoming a little jaded by average workaday modern cars cars puffed up by dubious hype.
It all starts while approaching the GTA. In common with the other 156s, nothing fundamental on the outside had changed. But on the flagship GTA there are tasty new alloys (hiding big multi-piston Brembo hardware), a front airdam and lower front spots linking broader front wings. There are vented side skirts along each sill while the lower portion of the tail section now features twin tailpipes and an ‘extractor’ fin which helps draw air from the front to the rear and away.
Step inside and again, there’s been no massive shift in visual approach, just a series of modifications and sporty enhancements which include alloy pedals, a new wheel, sports front seats, gearstick and materials, new centre console featuring telematics galore, dual zone climate control and a host of other mods.
The GTA had a choice of beefed-up transmissions, a six-speed manual or the Selespeed paddle-shift semi-auto - the manual was the one tyo have, but under the bonnet there’s one engine on offer and it’s all that’s needed, a 3. 2-litre derivation of Alfa’s existing three-litre 60° V6 24v. This pumps out 250bhp at 6, 200rpm and 221lb ft of torque at 4, 800rpm. On paper this will see the GTA sprint to 62mph in 6. 3 seconds and surge on to 155mph.
The GTA is quick and feels it. A drive-by-wire throttle, the V6 sings and you go forward – fast. Power delivery is broad, seamless and ample. To quote from Alfa’s literature, ‘The GTA can also travel in sixth gear at less than 2, 000rpm and unleash speed spurts without changing gear'. Extremely satisfying behaviour, therefore, even during daily use'. Lovely!
Importantly, it sounds good too. Not noisy or intrusive, but crisp and sweet.
Our GTA is surely the best one out there being a 1 owner car from delivery, stored in a heated garage and completely babies by its obsessive owner.
Rafts of history including a timing belt a couple years ago and lost of preventative works and running repairs. The car is spotlessly clean and a pleasure to look at. We are advertising it for sale but may opt to keep this with our private collection that currently includes all red Ferrari, Lancia Delta and an SZ. Where would you find another impeccably kept GTA?
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