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As the sole
representative of Fiat Auto (Fiat-Alfa-Lancia) in Australia, Alfa Romeo is
well-represented in Sydney, exhibiting no fewer than nine cars on an expansive
stand which reflects the company's 'Cuore Sportivo' advertising line.
After an absence of a few years the company returned to Australia at the 1998
Sydney Motor Show with two models, the GTV and Spider. Since that time the
company has steadily added further models to its range, beginning with the
multi-award winning 156 in 1999-2000, and continuing with the 166 and 147 and
now the GT Coupe earlier this year.
Alfa has long had a loyal following here and in the last few years, as in many
markets around the world, has established itself as a serious rival for the
premium German marques in the marketplace.
All that said, it is unlikely to be a production car which attracts most
attention from visitors to the Alfa stand over the next week - that honour will
certainly be given over to the 8C Competizione concept.
After a rendezvous on Wednesday with the oldest surviving Alfa in the world
outside the Exhibition Centre complex where the show is held on Wednesday, the
8c was revealed to the media on Thursday. The stand emphasises the presence of
the 8c, with two overhanging banners depicting the car, and the car itself
mounted on a raised arrow-shaped plinth.
The 8c's specification is impressive. Double wishbone suspension pins up all
four corners, which should ensure the handling one expects when one first lays
eyes on the 8c, while the volumetrically-supercharged Maserati-derived 4.2 V8,
pumping out over 400bhp at 7000rpm, promises
300km/h-plus potential.
Clearly, however, even the most powerful engine is wasted without adequate
traction, so this issue has been addressed with giant 20-inch Pirelli P-Zero
Corsas, of 245/40 front and 275/35 rear section, to guarantee roadholding
commensurate with the performance potential of this Alfa.
While the 8c is the focus of much of the attention, it is by no means the only
car of interest on the stand. The facelifted 166 also makes an appearance after
going on sale in Australia at the beginning of August.
Only one model is available, the venerable 217bhp 3-litre V6 (which can trace
its origin all the way back to the 1979 GTV6) continuing to serve under the
bonnet of Alfa's luxury flagship prior to its replacement in 2005 by the all-new
GM-designed V6, built here in Australia at GM-Holden's Melbourne engine
plant. Alfa has brought one example to Sydney, which is available for the public
to engage in detailed examination.
One year after its Australian debut, the GT Coupe returns to Sydney in 236bhp
3.2 V6 form following its launch onto the market in July. The Bertone-penned GT
has drawn acclaim from many quarters for its stylish looks, and despite its
relatively compact exterior dimensions provides impressively capacious
accommodation, with room for five adults and their luggage. Like the 166, there
is a single example of the car available for public viewing.
In addition to these 'headliners', Alfa has brought a single black Spider fitted
with the 2-litre JTS engine. Although it being a decade old and nearing
replacement, the Spider is still capable of turning heads with its arresting
looks, and its recent engine transplant, which replaced the 2-litre Twin Spark
with the new JTS unit, has kept it competitive in the face of increasing
opposition.
Two 156s are on show, with a silver example in TI spec. It is arguably the other
example which will prove of more particular interest globally however, as this
is the 156 2.5 V6, a single example of which is again prominently displayed.
This derivative was replaced at the time of the last facelift in the traditional
right hand drive markets by the 175bhp 2.4 Multijet turbodiesel, but in
Australia it carries on. This is partly a result of differing market tastes -
Australia has a far lower rate of diesel sales as a proportion of the overall
total than Europe, and while there has been a distinct upswing in sales of
diesel cars recently as technology improves and petrol becomes ever-more
expensive, they still represent a very small amount of total passenger car
sales.
Nevertheless, Alfa Romeo Australia is evaluating the potential of the 140bhp 1.9
Multijet 147 for sales here, as a potential rival to the Golf and 307 diesels.
Which leads us neatly to the 147 range itself. Alfa has three examples of its
mid-size hatch on display, a 2-litre TwinSpark in light blue, a TI in red, and a GTA
in dark blue. This effectively covers the majority of the Australian 147 range
and while they are not examples of the facelifted model (launched in Paris last
week), these will be launched into the Australian market in a few months' time
at the 2005 Melbourne Motor Show in March.
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by Shant
Fabricatorian in Sydney
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