Alfa Romeo GTV
The
Alfa Romeo is definitely a car which gets noticed. Vanessa Hinkley attracts some unwelcome attention this week when she drives the GTV on the M25...
With the emphasis on the 'me', the GTV from Alfa Romeo would be hard to turn down. It's a 2 + 2, so not a family car. Not a practical proposition at all in every day life, but it's beautiful. Head turning. And a red rag to all the bull-headed would-be racing drivers whom I was unlucky enough to encounter on a test drive around the M25! I was taking my sixteen-year-old niece Hayley out. Shopping was high on the agenda, so we decided to brave the Saturday crowds at Lakeside.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
|
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
I thought we'd take the
Alfa Romeo GTV, which was sitting in the drive just begging to be driven. After barely 10 minutes on the motorway, Hayley was watching in fascination as car after car zoomed up behind us or made a roaring point of overtaking. Either they were all trying to get a closer look at the car or they were jealous and just trying to intimidate me. Negotiating the tricky exit from the motorway to the shopping centre confirmed my worst suspicions.
You need to be nimble to get into the correct lane at this particular exit and no one, but no one, seemed to want to let me in front of them. I was doing all the usual things, indicating in time, waiting humbly for a gap in the stream of traffic, but car after car seemed to take great joy in blocking my path. This never happens in my own.
I think we've already touched on that. The GTV is not a practical proposition for a family car, even a second car, but then it's not aimed at the family market. For all that, the front
seat passenger will be very comfortable and you would learn to become minimalist when packing for a weekend away. There's plenty of room for a briefcase or two in the boot.
I was looking forward to the drive, as I've already experienced the 2.0-litre 16-valve Twinspark engine that also features in the 147 and 166. The GTV, therefore, is capable of nought to sixty in 8.4 seconds on the way to 130mph.
I dare say I could have put my foot down to see off that unwelcome 'competition', but 'if you can't beat em, join em' doesnt fit in with my driving style. The sports seats are firm, but proved surprisingly comfortable and supportive - especially over longer distances. The driving position itself is first class - the steering wheel is adjustable and the stylised dashboard, with deeply recessed dials in the middle rather than in front of the driver, are easy on the eye. My only problem was getting used to driving inside a low wedge, which demanded far more frequent use of the wing mirrors.
No checking the blind spot over your shoulder - all I could see was a slit like opening there. I could, however, easily adjust my technique...
To mention money in the same breath as GTV is inappropriate somehow. If you're going to buy a car like this, it's because driving's a passion and you like beautiful things. At just over £20,000 the GTV 2.0 Twinspark is an expensive plaything, but if you've yearned for a sports car with this much class, then you'll gloss over that fact. Opt for the Lusso version or the powerful V6 and youll need significantly deeper pockets.
I could live with one. I'd have to grow a thicker skin, though, or train myself to ignore slip road hassle. A small price to pay to own something so beautiful.
<< Back to Alfa Romeo car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Alfa Romeo Cars For Sale UK
