Alfa Romeo's British Boost

By Motoring Channel Staff - 17/12/2004

Autodelta, the legendary name in producing extreme versions of Alfa Romeo's fastest cars, has added two new versions to its range of ultimate Alfas.

Using forced induction and increased engine displacement to boost power in two new models, the popular British tuning outfit offers Alfa fans something for whom 184kW just isn't enough.

First we have the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA AM, which was inspired by Alfa Romeo's hugely successful FIA European Touring Car Championship cars.

The Autodelta 156 GTA AM (Autodelta Maggiorata) gifts drivers with an epic 245kW from a bored out version of the 3.2-litre engine used in the normal Alfa GT that extends torque output to 353Nm.

The engine also revs much higher than before, with a new 7300rpm red line and this results in 100km/h coming up in a rapid-fire 5.3 seconds.

"After the success enjoyed by Autodelta Alfa 147 3.7 GTA - we make two to three new cars to order a month - building its bigger sister, the 156 GTA AM, felt like a natural progression.

"In comparison, the Autodelta GT Super is more the result of Autodelta wishing to explore different avenues to enhance both power and performance of an already popular sportscar," said Autodelta's managing director, Jano Djelalian.

Like its smaller sister (the 147 3.7 GTA), Autodelta's 156 GTA AM boasts a Ferrari-derived larger throttle, bespoke stainless exhaust system, manifolds and downpipes plus a stronger clutch to cope with the extra power.

It generates 241kW of power @ 7300rpm and 353Nm of torque @ 4700rpm, while other visual features take the form of quadruple tailpipes at the back, and custom-built 8.5 x 18-inch light allow wheels wearing grippy 235/40 tyres.

To help achieve the quick driving response and higher performance levels than the standard model, as it is expected from a true sports saloon, the 156 GTA AM has been equipped with a limited slip differential (with 30% progressive lock), uprated 355mm front brakes (276mm rears) with AP racing 6-pot calipers and a sports suspension.

The 2-door Alfa GT Super, meanwhile, uses a supercharged version of the normal 3.2-litre V6 engine to lift power to 239kW, giving it a top speed of 287km/h and the ability to blast to 100km/h from rest in 5.4 seconds.

Based on the very successful Alfa Romeo GT, Autodelta's 239kW engine has been endowed with extra power and grunt by the addition of a space-efficient, centrifugal Rotrex supercharger, running its own oil feed system and additional oil cooler independent from the engine, as well as an intercooler.

Choosing to adopt the Rotrex supercharger was the result of two and a half years of durability and reliability testing of the unit in a wide range of Autodelta Alfa Romeo models.

In order to match fuelling and ignition timing, the factory ECU has been remapped, and the supercharger has inbuilt safety features to control boost levels. Like the Autodelta 156 3.7 GTA AM, and its smaller sister Autodelta 147 3.7 GTA, the GT Super has been fitted with limited slip differential to rein in the extra power, and sports suspension with coil over dampers.

The top speed of 287km/h comes about much more easily with the adoption of a longer sixth gear (which is not an overdrive) than the standard Alfa GT.

Autodelta's own styling and manufacturing arm, Creativestudio, is responsible for the distinctive, overtly sporty look of both the 156 GTA AM and the GT Super.

In contrast with the factory-built Alfa Romeo 156 GTA (which is no longer available in Australia), Autodelta's Alfa 156 GTA AM boasts the more recent Giugiaro-styled front, complemented by a specially designed bodykit including front wings, front and rear bumpers, rear wheel arches, door panels and boot spoiler.

The GT Super features new front and rear bumpers, discreet rear boot spoiler and a redesigned dual exhaust pipe with a touch of retro feel, which contributes to the GT Super's unique engine sound. Autodelta's 156 GTA AM and GT Super, like all Autodelta models, are strictly customer-built, with their own plaque carrying the serial number.

Full details of the Autodelta range may be found at Autodelta's website.