Alfa Romeo GT - History

History

Like the 147, the GT was based on the same platform used in 156, with the coupé body styled by Bertone. Most mechanicals are taken directly from the 156/147 using the same double wishbone front suspension and MacPherson rear setup as those two cars. 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, the complete climate control system as well as having a very similar electrical system. The engine range includes both a 1.8 and 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 sports car in Alfa Romeo's range, and sits alongside the Grand Tourer 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 had 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.

In 2008 Alfa introduced the cloverleaf model as a limited edition complete with new trim levels, lowered suspension, body kit, 18 inch alloy wheels and only available in the colours black, alfa red, or blue. with engines 1.8 L and 2.0 L petrol and 1.9 L Multijet turbo diesel. These are effectively the run out models and as such are very well specified.

Few years before the production ended, other tha a diversification of the editions for the Italian market, Alfa Romeo decided to issue some particular versions of the GT for foreign markets. The Special Edition 1.9 JTDm 16 (painted in a new red or white) was then assembled for the United Kingdom's Market, following specific orders from the British dealers; the Run Out Edition 2.0 JTS (only black), was built in a dozen of pieces, with a modified engine (a revised version of the Pratola Serra 2000 JTS) and specific parts (audio system bose connected to the USB, multimedia and bluetooth devices - an integrated approach then used in the Giulietta - lowered absorbers, specific alfa romeo grey leather-red signed seats, bigger matt rear view mirrors) assembled only for the Dutch dealers. For the Australian market and the French market the GT was proposed in its Centenario shape powered by the 1.9 JTDm diesel.

The Quadrifoglio Oro (60 pieces) Japan-exported version is the very end of the model's career.