Although Alfa Romeo is currently in one of the worst moments in its history, it remains one of the legendary brands and most prolific creators of iconic models in automotive history. Today we delve into the history of the GTV.
The original Alfa Romeo GTV, also known as Bertone, was launched on the market in the late 1960s and allowed the Italian brand to gain popularity within the sports middle class.
Those were the days before the need to subsist hand in hand with the FIAT Group, when the Alfa were synonymous with seduction, sportsmanship and character within the reach of the average customer. 30 years later, the Alfa Romeo Gran Turismo Veloce was reborn to revive that spirit of yesteryear.
Recover the tradition
The Alfa GTV was presented at the 1994 Paris Motor Show under two configurations, the coupe and the convertible, which was called Spider. But its origin dates back several years, specifically to 1987, when the first designs and subsequent 1: 1 scale clay models were created and approved by Vittorio Ghidella, CEO of FIAT at the time.
Enrico Fumia and Pininfarina They were in charge of designing the bodywork, but the proposal presented by both for the interior was not approved and this was carried out by Walter da Silva, former head of design of the Italian brand until 1999, as well as of SEAT, Audi and Volkswagen until 2015.
The Alfa Romeo GTV V6, on video.
The GTV was conceived with the intention of returning the tradition of the brand’s sports coupes and, for this, the Due Type platform of the FIAT Group suitably modified to create a 2 + 2, although with merely testimonial rear seats and, even, nonexistent in the case of the Spider.
Throughout its 11 years of life (its production ended in 2006), the Alfa Romeo GTV experienced two restylings and used 4 and 6 cylinder engines with displacement ranging from 1.8 to 3.2 liters.
The access engine used was the 1.8 Twin Spark, which gave 144 hp of power and was somewhat short if what you wanted was to enjoy a sporty driving. Of course, you had to take it very high for laps to take advantage of it.
For his part, 2.0 Twin Spark it offered 150 hp and stood out for its beautiful sound when climbing laps. This engine was replaced by the 165 hp direct injection JTS with the arrival of the second restyling in 2003.
But the real star was the V6 3.0 or 3.2 24V 220 or 240 hp, a magnificent block with a lot of force and an intoxicating sound, which also looked spectacular under the hood with its chrome parts. It was known by the nickname “Busso” after the surname of its creator and was used in numerous models of the brand in its two variants. Its main weak point was that consumption was very high.
A balanced car, but somewhat heavy
At a dynamic level, the Alfa Romeo GTV boasted of having a very balanced behavior thanks mainly to the efficiency of its independent suspension system on all four wheels, these being multi-link on the rear axle
The GTV recovered the pleasure of driving with precision and ease within the reach of any type of user, standing out for its direct steering and good brakes. Front-wheel drive, in the four-cylinder configurations it was especially neutral in its behavior, but somewhat understeer with the V6 engine as a result of its greater weight.
And that was precisely its biggest drawback, because almost 1400 kg for a small sports car measuring 4.28 meters in length, they were too many and somewhat penalized its agility and sporty character.
Two restylings
After starting production in 1995, the Alfa Romeo GTV received a first aesthetic update in 1998 -Highlighting a new center console, colors and trim, and a chrome surround around the grille, but the really noticeable one came in 2003 -and without Fumia in the design team- with a new front similar to the 147 and more modern engines to meet the anti-pollution regulations promoted by the European Union.
The end of the production of the GTV came in 2004, although its sale continued until three years later, at which point the brand gave way to a new model: the Brera, also 2 + 2 coupe and spider.
The GTV recovered the pleasure of driving with precision and ease within the reach of any type of user
Two very characteristic features of the GTV were its double headlights, which were later used in the Alfa Romeo Proteo prototype, and its rear cut off type Kamm (not present in the Spider). And it is that its design does not leave indifferent and allowed the brand to reap numerous international awards, highlighting the Car of the Year (Autocar Magazine), Best design (Car Magazine) and Best car to drive (Auto Zeitung), all in 1995.
Currently, the Alfa Romeo GTV is one of the brand’s most appreciated models in the second-hand and classic market, not only for its beauty, balance and engines, but also for having a good track record for mechanical reliability in contrast to the bad reputation that haunts the Italian firm.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Do not miss the rest of the classics remembered in our section, Youth loves.