Alfa Romeo GTV 3.2 V6
Genuine motoring enthusiasts can probably be split into two camps: those who appreciate the aesthetic appeal of an engine and those that dont. Its a generational thing as many engines of yore were astonishing things to look at, miracles of plumbing and metalwork. Things are different these days. Pop the bonnet on a modern car and the engine will likely be shrouded beneath a plastic cover.
Youll be hard pushed to find the engine at all in others. The Alfa GTV 3.2 is a little different. Even someone who doesnt know a header pipe from a half pipe will realise this powerplant is a very special piece of engineering.
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2-litres as used by the 147 and 156GTA sports models. Good for no fewer than 236 braked horses, it has made the flagship GTV coupe into something of a performance bargain. Capable of hitting 60mph in a flashing 6.1 seconds and nudging a top speed of 160mph, the GTV 3.
2 knocks the pricier Audi TT225 coupe into next week. The charisma doesnt stop with the engine either. The styling has always been a GTV strong point, the compact body and kicked up rump suggesting searing performance. The latest car looks a good deal more aggressive, getting a deep grille that splits the front bumper 147-style.
The under bumper spoiler is a good deal sportier than before and the five-spoke alloy wheels are a ringer for those fitted to Ferraris Enzo. Drop inside and youll be treated to a classic Alfa Romeo interior, all cowled dials, long reach steering wheel and beautifully crafted leather work. The centre console has been subtly revised to accommodate a satellite navigation system. The positioning isnt ideal, sited low in front of the long-throw six-speed gearchange, but theres a timeless elegance about the cabin that makes most rivals seem very mass market.
This really is the key to the GTV 3.2s appeal. It feels a good deal more exotic than anything this side of a TVR Tuscan.
"The GTV 3.2 makes the Audi TT225 seem like an old Golf that has raided the dressing up box"
Turn the key and the V6 fires into life with a rorty howl. Its an indulgent engine, one which encourages high revs, rewarding the driver with a genuinely stirring soundtrack. It also feels impossibly long legged, the torque allowing for a deep-lunged flexibility. Its possible to accelerate cleanly away from little more than jogging pace in third gear and keep going to speeds which could render your licence a distant memory, all the while accompanied by that magnificent engine note.
Drop the windows and find a tunnel or underpass and the sound is amplified to even greater proportions. So why not go the whole hog and buy the open-topped Spider version instead? The answer is that any keen driver will appreciate that the action of removing the roof of a coupe to turn it into a soft-top has negative effects on the cars handling: this is no exception. Not only does the GTV coupe look a good deal happier than the somewhat awkwardly proportioned Spider, its also a massive 64% more resistant to chassis twisting. This means that the suspension can do its job better and Alfas engineers can specify some industrial strength shocks and springs without fear of turning the car into a shuddering mess every time you encounter an expansion joint. The big wheels, firm low profile tyres and quick steering make the front end of the GTV 3.
2 feel very alive, with almost Porsche-style feedback coming back through the steering wheel. Unfortunately some of this is caused by the effects of directing 236bhp through the front wheels, the 225/45 Goodyear front rubber doing a manful job of grip and steering but occasionally it all gets a little too much, the ASR light will flash cutting back engine power. The problem is exacerbated in the wet when accelerating out of T-junctions into the traffic flow needs to be well judged. On the whole, however, traction is surprisingly good, the Alfa deploying its power through the front wheels more happily than, say, a Ford RS Focus.
As ever, the GTV is a mixed bag when it comes to practicality. The driving position is fine if you enjoy the long-armed style of 1970s racing drivers, and theres a fair amount of adjustment to get comfortable. The back seats are little more than token efforts, best suited to slinging jackets and day bags onto. The boot is also something of a comedy turn.
There are some MPVs with larger interior storage bins than the GTV boot which, incidentally, absorbs a great deal of heat soak from the exhaust box. Its difficult to come up with many rivals that can replicate the GTV 3.2s blend of qualities. The Audi TT225 is priced close to the Alfa, but offers a completely different experience.
More clinical, a tad more practical and a less costly overall ownership experience, the GTV makes the TT seem like an old Golf that has raided the dressing up box. The engines just do not compare. The TT 3.2 V6 is a little closer, its engine offering a more charismatic accompaniment but again it feels neither as special nor as enjoyable as the Alfa.
Perhaps the only car in this price band that offers such a sense of occasion is Renaults barking Clio V6 255, albeit for very different reasons. There used to be a saying about Ferraris that the company would sell you an engine and throw the rest of the car in for free. Surprisingly, some people still view the Alfa GTV in this manner, and the headlines created by the 3.2-litre engine will doubtless confirm this cynical view.
Give the car a chance, drive it on some of your favourite roads and unless you are a genuinely soulless character, its sophisticated charms will worm their way into your affections. Its far from perfect take a look at those CO2 emissions for evidence of that - but the Alfa GTV 3.2 is never anything less than delightful. That will be enough for many.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Alfa Romeo GTV 3.2 Coupe
PRICE: £26,590 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 19
CO2 EMISSIONS: 315g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 6.1s / Max Speed 158mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 21.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and Passenger airbag / ABS / ASR
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width mm 4285/1780mm January 30th 2004
