Alfa Romeo have launched two new exclusive versions of their stylish GT Coupé - the Sportiva and Eleganza - which aim to broaden its market appeal. Penned by Italian design house Bertone, the attractive Alfa Romeo GT Coupé is based on the Alfa 156 sedan platform. Previewed at the Geneva Salon in 2003, it made its world debut at the Frankfurt IAA later that year, going on general sale throughout Europe during the early winter. The GT Coupé has already won a number of awards for its gorgeous styling, and is a true 'Grand Tourer' in the very best of Alfa Romeo traditions.

Despite the arrival of the much-touted Brera sportscar, Alfa Romeo fortunately have outlined longer term plans for the GT Coupé, and rather than being completely overshadowed by the brash new arrival, the GT Coupé's lithe, beautiful lines, set it firmly apart from the aggressive, muscular Brera. The two can easily co-exist in the dealerships, and with its competitive price, and of course one of the most famous engines ever to be built - the glorious Alfa V6 - under its bonnet, it offers a whole different set of values to the Brera as it carves out its own niche. The limited numbers in which it is sold have increased its exclusivity and desirability, and it is a true sporty gem.

The new 'Sportiva' and 'Eleganza' trim packages are designed to sustain the GT Coupé's current sales volumes, and then build on them throughout 2006, ahead of the proposed mid-life facelift at the end of the year. Alfa Romeo see the new versions appealing to a younger, much wider audience of car buyers, who are seeking a highly distinct and individual style, excellent performance capability, and sheer value for money.
 

Firmly in the revised GT Coupe's sights are its German marketplace rivals such as the BMW S3 Coupé and the rather uninspiring Mercedes Sportscoupé. The GT Coupé - with its practical appeal, not least from its genuine 4-seat capability, has already tapped into a quite a wide market, grabbing premium C-segment buyers, dragging customers away from the Peugeot 406 Coupé, and also providing a realistic replacement choice for many Alfa 156 sedan owners.

The two new trim packages - Sportiva and Eleganza - bring sporting and luxurious appeal respectively to the GT Coupé range. The changes have been discreetly wrought, so as not to loose sight of the charm and character of this model. The GT Sportiva is differentiated from the GT Elegnza by two-tone door mirror covers, discreet front spoiler mesh changes, darker front turn signal lamps and clear side wing repeaters (as opposed to lighter shading on the front of the GT Eleganza, and orange wing repeaters) and a single large bore exhaust tailpipe (while the GT Eleganza has twin round exits). Finally the traditional bold 'telephone' dial-style alloy road wheels are specified on the Sportiva pack, while the Eleganza receives attractive slim multi-spokes). Inside the GT Sportiva has red piping boldly stitched into the leather seats, sports steering wheel and gearlever gaiter, along with racing-style aluminium pedals, while the most distinctive interior feature of the GT Eleganza is it understated two-tone leather seats.