Alfa Romeo GT Coupe: First look

Arriving in Australian Alfa Romeo showrooms later in 2004 is the rather intriguing GT Coupe.

Designed to offer customers an orthodox coupe, the new two-door Alfa will join a growing number of well-priced traditional sports coupes that are saturing the market, both locally and overseas.

While the 'look-at-me' sports coupe never really evaporated, in the last ten years those looking to get into something specifically designed for driving pleasure (as opposed to everyday practicality) had to pay a fair premium for a Porsche, Beemer or perhaps a Merc.

This year Australian motorists will be tempted by the big movers and shakers from the Nihon in the form of the exciting Mazda RX-8 and Nissan 350Z.

Both these models will sell for under $60,000 and later next year Alfa's entrant into the ever-growing sports coupe niche could well undercut even the Japanese product.

While we've heard many Alfa Romeo purists say that the new GT Coupe is an ugly duckling, we actually think it's somewhat understated looks (crafted by the Bertone Styling Centre) contribute to the car's presence.

While the Bertone styling isn't instantly recognisable from the front - it was made clear by the company that the car had to wear the traditional Alfa 'face' - the sides and rear form a much more daring design.

The end result is pleasing and the Alfa GT Coupe is both sleek, yet strangely tough-looking at the same time. Best of all, not many people are likely to confuse this car with others in the sports coupe genre, such is its unique short-bodied appearance.

Based on the floor-pan of the current 156, the GT Coupe was styled to recapture elements from past Alfa's, such as famed Giulia, the Alfetta and Giulietta.

The rear end is perhaps the most radical area of design and screams Italiano: Compact and slightly dipped with short overhangs, the fancy tail light clusters are destined to become the norm for future Alfas.

And, while looks are crucial in this category, its cult status will largley hinge on whether or not the car performs. This shouldn't be too much of a problem, with a choice of three engines (four in Europe - they get also get a 1.9 diesel), all of which offer what is perhaps the best specific power rating in its respective cylinder/capacity category.

All three engine types are naturally aspirated, and if local Alfa importer Ateco Automotive can negotiate a good price for the entry-level model 1.8-litre model, it may fly for less than $50,000. While not yet available in current Alfa's, the twin spark 1.8 develops a gutsy 105kW.

Next up is the 2.0-litre JTS engine, which makes use of direct petrol injection to significantly boost power while still remaining fuel efficient. The inline four-cylinder mill displaces 1970cc, has 4-valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts resulting in an impressive 123kW @ 6400rpm. For a two-litre engine, this is rather impressive, and while beaten by Honda's Integra Type R (with 147kW), torque output is not: The Alfa churns out 206Nm @ 3250rpm, which is 13Nm more than the racy Integra.

Lastly, there is the über-performance GTA version of the GT Coupe. Depending on the cars kerb weight, which has not yet been divilged publicly, the GT Coupe GTA could well hit 100km/h in under six seconds, which would make it one of the fastest Alfa Romeos ever.

Shipping with the same rorty 3.2-litre V6 that lobs with other GTA models, Alfa has already proven that it can make a sporty FWD vehicle with a tendency to oversteer in the form of the 156 GTA, so expect the GT Coupe GTA to be just as agile.

With a six-speed gearbox and 184kW @ 6200rpm, the GTA edition is likely to be limited to 250km/h, while 300Nm of torque @ 4800rpm suggests the engine will need to kept on the boil to extract maximum performance. The GTA model will also ship with bigger brakes, wheels and perhaps even a few bodykit extras to improve downforce and other aero aspects.

Due to go on sale in Europe at the end of 2003, it will be very interesting to see how the motoring public receives such a model. Will it be an outstanding success like the 350Z or will fans just dimiss the GT Coupe as a shorter 156 with a lower roof and fancy lights?

Either way, it's good to see that there's a growing choice in what is becoming an important genre for automakers, not just in terms of sales, but also to help propel their 'image'.