27.10.2004 The Alfa 147, 156 and 166 will now be available in South Africa with the TI badge and from today at the Auto Africa Expo, all three models will be on display in TI specification for potential customers to view

The Alfa 147, 156 and 166 will now be available in South Africa with the TI badge. At the Auto Africa Expo 2004, which opens its doors to the public today, all three of these models will be on display in TI specification for potential customers to view. 

TI stands for Turismo Internazionale, the acronym that Alfa Romeo used to assign only to its most sportingly equipped cars. Such cars were derived from standard production models that underwent styling changes and mechanical changes to create thoroughbred sports cars that could still be driven on ordinary roads. Today those two simple yet glorious letters are making a comeback on Alfa Romeo cars.

The code stands for a sports kit available on the Alfa Romeo range that guarantees quality and is evidence that changes have been made in the factory.

Cars bearing the TI logo are targeted at young, sporty drivers and offer greater driving satisfaction, more handling and more braking capacity. In other words, the dynamic behaviour of a car that spices your everyday driving experience with racetrack sensation. All in all, a car for those who demand the very best when it comes to sportiness.

And want it to be known without ostentation. Hence the styling decision not to change the exterior shape of the standard production cars too radically but limit the changes to a few features without resorting to flashy spoilers or other add-ons. From the outside, the cars are still recognisable but simply look meaner with a more vice-like grip on the road. Wide tyres, alloy wheels and sideskirts aid this effect.

Inside, the leather sports configuration seats plus the leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob can identify a TI interior. The sill plate and the black facia, ceiling and mats add more sporty touches. All these parts vary according to the model.

Cars, in other words, that thrill and give authentic driving gratification during everyday use. Cars that represent the purest distillate of brand values and are the ambassadors of that particular form of elegant sportiness that has made Alfa Romeo famous the world over.

The new TI kit is the right choice for customers who want to enter the sporting world of Alfa Romeo where the topmost rung is occupied by the GTA family: Italian-style on-road vehicles, powerful and safe with cutting-edge technology to assure maximum satisfaction and peak driving control at all times.

The TI pack in South Africa will be available on the Alfa 147 2.0 3-door manual retailing for R220 500 including VAT.

The pack consists of the following over and above the current Alfa 147 3-door 2.0: On the exterior: a rear roof spoiler, alloy wheels - 17-inch 215/45 (spoke design) with the TI logo, racing type brake pads, TI Logo on the rear left hand side of the car, chromium plate wheel bolts and air pressure valve and front Lights in GTA style.

On the inside the pack consists of  leather sport seats, a specific scuff plate, radio controls on the steering wheel, and a black roof lining in 147 GTA-style with black grab handles and black sunshades. Finally black sidepanels and dashboard with a black background for the instruments complete the effect.

The TI pack will also be available on the Alfa 156 2.5 V6. It will offer all the features of the 147 TI, with in addition, a lowered 'sports' suspension, as well as rain, early misting and odour sensors. The Alfa 156 2.5 V6 TI will retail for R281 000 including VAT.