After launching a whole new range of self-shifting gearbox versions of its key models in Australia, Alfa Romeo Australia has added a manual gearbox to the one model in its range that lacked one, the stylish Alfa Romeo GT JTS, and, in doing so has provided its sports coupe with a highly accessible new price of AUS$52,990.

“With the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Brera, we needed to provide the Alfa GT with a new position in the Alfa Romeo range, one that emphasises its differences from the Brera and which enhances its value for money,” explains David Stone, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia. “To this end we have made some minor changes to the equipment in the JTS version and added the manual variant, the combination of which is to provide an exciting new entry level price for the Alfa GT and to modify Selespeed price to make it even more attractive.”

The Alfa Romeo GT compliments the Alfa Romeo Brera, in that the GT is Coupe in the range, offering five seats and a spacious boot, while the Brera is very much the sports car of the range, with its 2+2 seating and snug interior. “Following the launch of the Brera we have actually seen an increased interest in the Alfa GT,” says Mr Stone. “The excitement created by the Brera has brought more people into Alfa Romeo showrooms, but quite often the additional flexibility of the five seat GT, plus its irresistible style, has led customers to leave the showroom with an Alfa GT. With our new manual version and repositioning, we wish to build on the renewed interest in this model in the Alfa Romeo range.”

The 2.0 litre 121 kW engine used in the Alfa GT JTS is a variant of the lean burn, direct petrol injection engine seen in the Alfa Romeo 159 and like that car, this powerful, light weight unit use its supreme efficiency to provide the Alfa GT with strong performance, excellent economy and low emissions. Top speed with the JTS engine in both manual and Selespeed versions is 216 km/h and it dispatches the dash to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and to a kilometre in 29.2 seconds. It achieves a combined fuel consumption figure of 8.7 litres per 100 km; a remarkably low figure for such a stylish performance car.

The new manual version of the Alfa GT uses exactly the same gearbox as the Selespeed, minus the robotised actuation system and with the addition of a clutch pedal and conventional gear stick. Fitted with the optional Selespeed gearbox, the Alfa GT combines the excitement of changing gears manually in the same fashion as a racing car, via paddles on the steering wheel, or the convenience of letting the system change the gears itself. But, unlike a conventional automatic, because the Selespeed is based on the manual gearbox, it offers the performance, economy and emissions of manual gearbox even when changing its own gears.

The Alfa Romeo GT JTS is, like its V6 brother, is spectacularly well equipped, even with the equipment changes. Naturally there is the equipment you would expect in this market position, such as power windows, remote central locking with remote boot opening, dual zone Climate Control AirCon, full leather interior and a powerful sound system, trip computer, and cruise control. But each of these items has been honed to match Alfa Romeo’s requirements. Hand crafted, fine Italian leather is used on the elegant shaped and styled seats that offer both comfort and the lateral grip required in a sports car.
 

The key differences between the JTS and 3.2 V6 versions of the Alfa Romeo GT are that the six cylinder version gains heated front seats, a Bose audio system, Xenon headlights with headlight washers, a vehicle alarm, alloy pedals and 18 inch multi spoke alloy wheels, compared to the new Sport GT 17-inch alloy wheels used by the Alfa Romeo GT JTS manual and Selespeed.

Performance is nothing without safety and security and here, once again the Alfa Romeo GT has all the features expected of a car in the exacting class. Active safety features include the full range of electronic safety features, such as electronic stability controls (VDC, ASR and MSR) tuned to provide safety but without dampening down the driving experience, as well as the latest generation of ABS anti-lock brakes. Naturally, a responsive chassis aids accident avoidance, as well. Passive safety features are led by six air bags, crumple zones and an occupant safety cell.

Styled by Bertone, the legendary Italian design and engineering house, the Alfa GT takes all the Alfa Romeo elements that have lead to the Alfa Romeo sports cars, the 147, the 156 and the 166 be lauded for their unique elegance, style and eye-catching beauty and added their own unique additions to produce a car that is, quite simply a new byword for beauty. The Alfa Romeo GT has been named the most beautiful Coupé in the World in annual awards that recognise excellence in car design and styling and which are awarded by a jury of the world’s leading car designers, artists, architects and engineers.

But practicality has not been sacrificed for all its beauty. This is a coupé that is also remarkably practical. There is comfort for four people, space and seat belts for five, matched by a spacious boot of 320 litres, which may be enlarged to 905 litres by folding down the split rear seats and a through loading device only adds to the load carrying options. But there are also excellent detail features, such as the lockers on either side of the boot, the 12 volt power point located on one side of the boot and the polished chrome – who says practicality can’t also be beautiful – tie luggage down points.

“When the Alfa Romeo GT was launched, it was clear that it offered a remarkable combination of style, performance and value for money,” says David Stone. “With the launch of the JTS manual to complement the Selespeed version, we have boosted value for money and lowered the cost of ownership with out having any affect on the beauty of this fabulous car!”

The Alfa Romeo GT range now comprises three models, the newly launched Alfa Romeo GT JTS manual with a recommended price of AUS$52,990, the Alfa Romeo GT JTS Selespeed with an RRP of AUS$55,990, and, topping the range, the Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6 with a AUS$69,990 RRP.