FACTfile - Alfa GTV – Page 2

The Exterior

The new Alfa Spider and Alfa GTV have been redesigned by the Pininfarina Style Centre that was also responsible for the original models. Both models now offer the up-to-the-minute glamour of innovative motifs combined with retro touches.

The roots of this harmonious blend lie in Alfa Romeo's great motoring past. Indeed both models display intrinsic Alfa traits with pride and conviction. Beginning with the triangular front grille that dominates the front and continuing with distinctive diverging ribs that outline a bonnet bulge that offsets the distinctive front grille while visually advertising the presence of a mighty power beneath the bonnet. Lastly, another two motifs typical of Alfa Romeo tradition are a wedge-shaped line enhanced by a cut-off tail that gives the car a markedly aggressive slant - and a pronounced side shelf that makes the car look slender and dynamic.

These are the distinctive traits that the Pininfarina Style Centre has chosen to stress on the new Alfa GTV and Alfa Spider. New parts with great visual impact have also been added. Firstly, the front end has been redesigned to fit in with the current Alfa Romeo image. For example, the shield is similar to those used on recent models in that its upper edge follows the bonnet and then plunges down to break the bumper outline.

The badge at the top centre is also surrounded by a hint of chrome that underscores the strength and communicative value of the signature. Chrome bars stand out against the black background of the grille. These horizontal elements are extrapolated and spread to the side outlets to suggest that the car is well settled and firmly anchored to the ground. Lower down, two separate air intakes are delimited by trapezoid fog lights to form the traditional Alfa cloverleaf pattern. When viewed from the side, both models feature a blend of volumes and taut lines reminiscent of the best-looking Alfa Romeos from the past. For example, both cars feature a strongly delineated wedge shape. This is underscored by a strongly raked windscreen that blends into the upper line of the doors to create an elegant dip in the door mirror area.

The lines of the Alfa GTV maintain the same strong rake in the rear side volume while the lower edge of the second side window continues the upper parallel door line to create a sense of overall compactness. The tapered tail on the Alfa Spider inspired the stylists to trace a smooth falling line from the halfway point of the rear volume. This is a clear reference to two of the most famous Alfa Romeo sports cars: the Giulietta Spider and the 'Osso di Seppia' (cuttlefish bone). When the car is closed, the Alfa Spider retains its stylistic sense of proportion because the hood blends into the body.

When both cars are seen from the side, the striking new 16" alloy wheels are immediately obvious, while the sides - when seen in plan view - feature a distinctive pattern of four bulges over the wheel arches: the overall impression is of dynamic cars with a firm grip on the road. Moving on to the rear end, both models can be seen to share certain styling motifs. Examples include a marked horizontal dihedron connecting both boot surfaces that meet at a strong angle; a wraparound rear bumper that houses the number plate holder panel; distinctive individual model badges with elegant italic script derived from the most famous Alfa sports cars.

This is what both models have in common. The Alfa GTV and Alfa Spider naturally differ in their rear box shape: the coupé features a generous, strongly raked rear window that houses the third brake light at the base; the Alfa Spider is distinguished by a U-shaped hood cover that blends beautifully into the body and also houses a third brake light at its base. The styling of the rear end is different in the two models: high and truncated in the GTV, more slender and streamlined in the Spider.

Although created from a common blueprint, each model expresses traditional tenets of Alfa Romeo sportiness from two parallel yet distinctly different aspects. Two cars with quite different styling and missions: the Alfa GTV with 2+2 body is a sports car built for performance while the Alfa Spider only comes in a two-seater version designed for open-topped driving satisfaction aboard a great sports car.

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The Interior

The new Alfa Spider and Alfa GTV passenger compartment offers several new features. The driver's seat level in relation to the ground (H point) has been lowered for improved driving comfort. The new Alfa Romeo sports car interiors have also been redefined from the viewpoint of styling and user-friendliness.

The style is designed to reflect the specific personalities of the GTV and Spider and this principle has been followed in the definition of all interior detailing. The first major sign lies in the instruments and controls. The gauges are round and analogue, the outcome of painstaking design for clarity, legibility and elegance. The same approach is evident in new red lighting on controls and instrument panel. The panel is beautifully designed: the instrument panel faces the driver and is protected by a highly accentuated curved lip that juts over the upper facia surface. The panel, as before, consists of two main central dials - the speedometer and rev counter - with a central panel in between.

Other new features on the new Alfa GTV and Alfa Spider include a black facia created to enhance the attractive blend of smooth, rounded volumes. The brand-new central console panel also houses the minor controls and the new audio system. The facia blends with the central console while the part facing the passenger houses a glove compartment with an interior button for electrical boot opening. Two round adjustable and closable climate control system diffusers are located at either end. Again at either end, the upper face of the facia houses two fixed climate control system outlets directed to demist the side windows.

The central console extends beyond the gear lever to the area of the tunnel between the front seats. Here is found the cigar lighter, ashtray and controls for electrically adjusting the door mirrors and headlight alignment alongside the handbrake lever. This area also houses the switch for the electric hood on Spiders equipped with this feature.

The new Alfa Spider and Alfa GTV also offer front seats with adjustable reach and backrest rake. Their classic sports seat configuration is evident in the lateral containment features. Seat structure, padding and trim material also assure the highest standards of driving comfort by distributing differential body part pressures optimally over the entire seat. In the Alfa GTV, the configuration of both rear seats reproduces those of the front seats in design and practical features but on a smaller scale. On the Spider version, the space behind the front seats is equipped to accommodate extra luggage that will not fit in the boot.

The trims vary according to version and specification level and take the form of specially made cloth designed for quality and good looks. Alfatex, in particular, makes its first appearance on medium-range versions where this new high-tech cloth is used to trim seats and door panels. The door panels are specifically designed to look like an ideal continuation of the facia while the lower trim houses a rigid oddment pouch. The sporty steering wheel is three-spoked and adjustable for height and depth. The steering wheel centre houses an airbag compartment closed by a trapezoid panel that bears the classic Alfa Romeo badge emblem in the centre. The rim is leather trimmed on all Spider and GTV versions.

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