2000 Alfa Romeo GTV Reviews

The power house six has found its way into a yet another member of the gorgeous Alfa Romeo fleet.Joining the 147 and 156 GTA high performance models is the new look GTV coupe, the subject of our test.Alfa says the six cylinder GTV is the fastest ever road going car to wear the Alfa badge, with a top speed of 255km/h, helped along by its short, sharp wedge shape.Down the lower end of the scale the car takes just 6.7 seconds to leap from 0-100km/h.They are impressive figures and the GTV is an impressive car to match, both in terms of styling and performance – although it is not necessarily the easiest of cars to live with.The 24 valve engine is in fact a slightly detuned version of the 184kW GTA power plant but is still good for 176kW and 289Nm of torque – the small difference is negligible in day to day driving.The GTV also runs happily on standard unleaded which is even better.That said we live for the day our talented Italian cousins can deliver a car that accommodates our body proportions.Like many Alfas the GTV's pedals are too close together and off-set to the left, which can be unnerving for the beginner and down right dangerous when it comes to emergency braking.Then there is the little matter of the seating – no matter how you adjust the driver's seat, the pedals are either too close and your feet cramped or the gear shift is a tad too far away.Once you get used to these little eccentricities however you can begin to appreciate the incredible tractability of the engine and slick, intuitive six-speed shift.The engine pulls from just about any gear and is happy to dawdle around at low speed without the lumpy feel of some high performance vehicles.Drive is through the front wheels and can become unruly during hard acceleration, with stability control is fitted to keep the tyres anchored to the tarmac – although it is still relatively easy to spin the wheels.Alfa's ASR is one of the least intrusive stability systems that we have encountered and in the GTV can be switched off.As well as the powerhouse six the new GTV has revised front styling, new dash and console and integrated audio system.Fuel consumption is a claimed 9.3L/100km highway and 19.9L/100km around town, with a combined figure of 13.2L/100km. We managed to get about 12.2L/100km from the 70-litre tank during our 1200km test.The Alfa Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 24V is priced from $73,500.

For whatever reason, you decide you could handle keeping it for yourself, full time.With the Alfa GTV it is a strange predicament. It is by no means the quickest car we have seen, nor is it the most technologically advanced, most practical or the most luxurious.But the Alfa is steeped in history and has not steered far from its roots, something you feel from the moment you lay eyes on it.Sure, the engine is better, there are more safety additions and the handling is a marked improvement on the Alfas of old but Alfa has maintained the traditional elegant interior styling that sets the Alfa apart.The GTV has what you need. There may not be cupholders but there are clever little inventions such as the water for the windscreen spraying from the wipers not the bonnet (avoiding that irritating spray-over-the roof-and-not-on-screen syndrome).The instrument panel faces the driver, requiring minimal distraction. The gauges are round and stylish while the red lighting on the controls further adds to the ambience.The gear stick is not short and trendy, as we see emerging from other new cars, but does not hamper gear changes in the least.The GTV is a very nice looking car. From the sleek but strikingly accentuated V-shaped bonnet lines (to hint at what is beneath) and side styling to the narrow grille and small but sharp headlights, the GTV is beautifully styled.And the 3.2-litre 24V V6 certainly sounds the part. From the moment your foot hits the right pedal your ears are treated to the full throaty resonance that envelopes the car.The 176kW of power coupled with the 289Nm of torque move you along at a nice pace reaching 100km/h in just 6.7 seconds. The GTV, with a top speed of 255km/h, is the fastest roadgoing Alfa Romeo produced. The wheels have a little difficulty transferring this power to the black stuff and torque steer can catch you out if you do not have a good grip on the wheel.It is less severe when the traction control is off. The brakes are firm but usable and no brake fade was encountered as was discovered on a less sporty model.The ride comfort may not be smooth but is not uncomfortable and not nearly as headache-causing as some other high-performance sports cars tested. High-speed handling compromises low-speed manoeuvrability, the GTV having a larger turning circle of 10.6m.Room is not high on the Alfa priority list in the GTV. The front is not cramped in any way, you don't rub elbows with your passenger and there is a fair amount of legroom. But have pity on whoever you place in the back. The back seat offers little leg room for the average-sized adult.The boot, while deep, is by no means large and the funny shaping of it is awkward. A suitcase cannot be laid down and it was a strategic challenge to fit the shopping in.The seats may look uninviting and unforgiving but once seated they are rather comfortable, and they are covered in Momo leather, no less.The GTV is priced at $73,500.Scrimping on the luxuries sees price determined on the badge. But a badge that gives you a good, fun drive, plenty of street cred plus elegant Italian styling... well, it comes down to a matter of choice.Fast factsAlfa Romeo GTV V6 two-door coupePrice: $73,500Engine: 3.2-litre V6 24V; 176kW@6200 rpm, 289Nm@4800rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds, top speed 255km/hTransmission: six-speed manualVerdict: Elegantly stylish with the aggressive lines that are synonymous with the badge. The nice, throaty engine, which has plenty of get-up and go, further adds to the enjoymentAlternativesAUDI TT 2D CoupePrice: $75,200Engine: in-line four-cylinder four-stroke, turbocharged, five valves per cylinder, double overhead cams. 1.8-litre 132kW@5500rpm; 235Nm@1950-4700rpmVerdict: A design tour de force when released and still as eye-catching as ever. Dynamically almost as goodMAZDA RX8Price: $56,170 (manual)Engine: Front-midship Renesis – two rotors in line, naturally aspirated, multi-sideport; 177kW@8200rpm, 211Nm@5500rpmVerdict: Simply an amazing car. Looks fantastic and drives even betterIn the garageVolkswagen Passat dieselPrice: Not available – evaluation model onlyEngine: V6 TDi; 120kW@4000rpm, 310Nm@1400rpmVerdict: Yet another senior company looking at the possibility of expanding diesels in Australia. A little rough sounding but interior styling just as good as its Audi cousins