Even in base spec trim, the was a luxurious place to sit with plush fabric seat coverings and sculpted seats providing a comfortable place to spend long periods of time. Higher trim levels featured luxurious stitched leather, usually associated with higher cost cars. Taking up the mighty mantle left by the awesome Alfa Romeo , the newer model was used with great success as a competitive touring car, with a Group N version being offered for public purchase in In Superturismo Racing specification, the utilized a redesigned 2.
Again offered with an extensive range of engine and fuel choices, the proved to be a better handling and more reliable vehicle than the with the butch looking car winning a number of style awards during its lifetime. It's wild, capable, and focused, and it's the ultimate anti-supercar for the discerning enthusiast.
Having cut his teeth on the UK street racing scene in the late 90's and early 00's RJ faded from the limelight only to return 20 years later.
Share Share Tweet Email. And one of the best of them right now looks to be the Alfa Not only is it smooth, sleek and svelte, with looks that have only improved with age, but the also has plenty of space for your family, or your mates. Either way, the is great to drive, with taut handling and a selection of lusty engines; of those, the 2.
At the top of the range, of course, sits the GTA, which pairs dramatic performance from its 3. Even in a relatively cheap specification, though, the feels special inside. Sure, the plastics are slightly flimsy, but the gorgeous interior styling makes up for that — and if you can find one with leather seats, the offers a slice of Maserati-esque Italian luxury that belies its price.
The reason is simple: prices are on the floor. Diesels suffer with dicky EGR valves and cracked sumps, and while most engines are actually reasonably reliable, the 2. Suspension wear is common, so listen for creaks and knocks over bumps, and check for uneven tyre wear which could point to geometry problems caused by worn upper wishbones. Electrical issues are not unknown, either, so check all of the electrics work as they should. But if you can do that, a will be a rewarding — not to mention, family-friendly — way of getting your Alfa Romeo fix.
Have a cruise of the classifieds to see if an Alfa tickles your fancy. Beware that the is GM trashcan with GM engines. As well as the slick five-speed manual, there's the choice of a Formula One-style push-button semi-auto Selespeed option, but this is only available for the 2. It's a great system in principle and even blips the throttle on downchanges, but is proving to be unreliable.
The other option, for V6-engined models only, is the Q-System. This more conventional automatic gearbox also has a manual shift facility. Living with The is one of Alfa's most practical designs yet. Naturally, there's a hint of quirkiness about the interior, but overall it's user- friendly, fairly solid and stylish. Thankfully, unlike many earlier Alfa Romeos, the driving position is pretty much spot-on and the car is as comfortable as any prestigious German rival.
Rear seat space is only average, however, and the boot can just about accommodate family loads. And unbelievable though it might seem, the Sportwagon estate is actually slightly less spacious than the saloon with the back seats in use. The rakish rear means it can't carry boxy loads, either, though it's no worse than a BMW 3-Series Touring. The does not have BMW-like build quality, but it's a quantum leap compared with the old and ranges and there's an impressive feeling about the cabin.
The basic model now called Turismo has nearly everything you need, including air-con and, on most, a lovely wood rim steering wheel. However, the optional Lusso trim pack is the most desirable. Depending on model, it adds headlamp washers, a third centre head restraint, climate control, a CD player and choice of velour or leather trim.
On paper this will see the GTA sprint to 62mph in 6. The GTA is quick and feels it. Prod the drive-by-wire throttle, the V6 sings and you go forward — fast. Power delivery is broad, seamless and ample. Extremely satisfying behaviour, therefore, even during daily use'. Importantly, it sounds good too.
Not noisy or intrusive, but crisp and sweet, too sweet for me to remember to sample the aural bombardment available from the new 11 speaker Bose sound system with its watt power output 4x40w plus w subwoofer. Anyway, couple all this with a six-speed Selespeed and fun remains very high on the agenda. God intended the front wheels to steer and the rears to drive, and the new , GTA included, is front driven.
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