STRESS FREE DRIVING AND ON-BOARD WELLBEING THROUGHOUT

The Alfa GT assures a welcoming, well-lit environment that offers much more comfort than you would expect from a sports coupé in terms of space available to the driver and passengers. The new model now also offers all the extra systems and devices made available by contemporary technological advances: bi-zone automatic climate control system, Cruise Control, CONNECT NAV+, multifunction display, radio with steering wheel controls and a sophisticated Hi-Fi system by Bose®, the US company that leads the world in this sector.

Automatic dual zone climate control system

Interior climate is one of the main comfort factors during a trip and is also very important for interior safety because temperature, humidity and ventilation affect the driver's well-being and thus his or her level of alertness. And of course the heating and ventilation system is also responsible for demisting the windscreen and side windows. For this reason, the Alfa GT comes with a sophisticated climate control system that automatically controls temperature, air flow, air distribution, compressor activation and recirculation by means of an electronic control unit. It also acts as a dual zone climate control system, i.e. able to ensure two different temperatures simultaneously: one in the right part of the passenger compartment and the other in the left.

The Alfa GT also implements an equivalent temperature climate control strategy. It records internal and external temperature by means of certain sensors and assesses the sensation of thermal well-being experienced by passengers, i.e. the energy exchange between human body and passenger compartment that is affected by humidity, temperature and treated air flow.

Another sensor located in a central position at the windscreen base records solar radiation on the car and the angle at which the rays strike the passenger compartment. This allows the system to prevent an excessive increase in temperature inside the car caused by the sun and thus to inform the climate control system in time.

All these parameters are monitored continuously and used to update the distribution, ventilation and mixing automatically. Air temperature at the outlets and fan speed are therefore adjusted to ensure passengers experience the desired sensation of thermal well-being (achieved by setting the required temperature). The result is a constant climate, even with significant changes in external conditions.

The system may be adjusted to one of seven set combinations to allow air taken into the car to reach all areas of the passenger compartment. The system also offers three possible temperature settings: 'LO' (maximum cooling), 'HI' (maximum heating) and 'MAX DEF' (fast defrost). The possibility of altering interior temperature gradually, half a degree at a time, makes for outstanding climatic comfort. The knob can be used to bring about a temperature change of 16°C, with a maximum temperature difference of 7 degrees between the left and right areas.

Manual adjustment is used for: setting the interior temperature (right and left), voluntary air flow distribution changes, fan speed (if air flow is to be altered) and fan deactivation, compressor deactivation (in practice, the system works in the same way as an automatic heater), recirculation control and the 'MAX DEF' function for fast defrosting.

Manual choices always over-ride automatic settings. They are also indicated by deactivation of the Full Auto led and stored until the user cancels the command. Each time the system is turned on, it returns to the conditions saved upon deactivation, except for the 'MAX DEF' function, which is zeroed. The entire system can also be turned off manually to deactivate the air conditioning system fully.

Versions with a JTD engine are fitted as standard with a supplementary heater built into the climate control system that allows outstanding passenger compartment comfort even when the weather is very harsh. Because the JTD engines are so thermodynamically efficient, the radiator coolant may heat very slowly if the outdoor temperature is very low.

Cruise Control

All Alfa GTs are fitted as standard with Cruise Control, a system that helps motorists to manage vehicle speed and improve travelling comfort. The device allows a cruising speed set by the driver to be maintained automatically by governing the engine throttle directly. The device is controlled by means of a lever on the column switch with two wheels. The first is turned to ON to activate the system while the second (actually a manual accelerator) must be moved to the plus (or minus) sign to achieve the required speed. When the control is released, the car continues to travel at the saved speed without the driver pressing the accelerator pedal.

The Cruise Control system can work within the entire range of rpm levels allowed by the engine, but only at speeds over 30 km/h. It is therefore advisable to turn it on only if road conditions allow the set value to be maintained in safety.

When the accelerator pedal is pressed (during overtaking, for example), the Cruise Control system is temporarily disabled even though the system stays on. The car therefore accelerates as required, but the system automatically restores the car to the stored speed as soon as the pedal is released. For obvious safety reasons, the device is released automatically when the driver presses the brake or clutch pedal.

In this case, you can go back to the preset speed by pressing the RECALL button at the end of the Cruise Control stalk. Turn the wheel OFF and turn off the engine to deactivate the Cruise Control finally and cancel all previous settings. A warning light on the display indicates system operation or deactivation status.

Multifunctional display

A revolutionary multifunctional display in the middle of the Alfa GT facia performs the twofold function of providing the driver with information on the main trip parameters (Trip computer) and providing instant feedback on car faults and action required.

The device provides access to several menus (with submenus) that speak the motorist's language (the choice is between Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Dutch) and offer the benefits of a host of functions and information. For example: date, outdoor temperature, speed limit setting, fault display etc. The Alfa GT 3.2 V6 24v display also shows engine oil temperature trends.

The customer can also use the Trip computer to find out a set of data on previous trips or the current journey: fuel consumption (instantaneous and average), average speed, remaining range, journey time (since the trip started) and kilometres covered.

Radio with integral steering wheel controls

The Alfa GT offers a radio with CD player and, as an option, an MP3 player. Both products share a carefully put together sound system designed and adjusted to suit the passenger compartment that comprises eight speakers and offers a power output of 4 x 40 Watts.

The radio is integral with the dashboard design and located in the middle of the facia in a position that is convenient for both driver and passenger. It can store up to 30 stations. It offers RDS (Radio Data System). And also TA (Traffic Announcement) and PTY (programme choice option), options in addition to an automatic device that adjusts the volume to the car speed and also a big alphanumerical display. Each time the radio is turned on, the volume is the same as when the set was turned off. The set is equipped with a device for controlling an external CD (with a capacity of 10 CDs). The radio with CD player is also equipped with a 7 band graphic equaliser. This device offers a choice of four equalisation settings: the default setting and also Jazz, Rock and Classic. The motorist can also choose special effects or adjust and save the sound parameters.

Motorists can also order a steering wheel with electric radio controls.

Bose® sound system

The Bose® Sound System produced for Alfa Romeo by the US company Bose, a leader in the Hi-Fi sound sector, offers each passenger exceptional listening quality under all driving conditions.

The radio Hi-Fi comes with full logic controls, power output of 360 Watts (4x40 plus 200 Watts for the subwoofer) and offers all the functions described for the previous radio. These are complemented by a sound system consisting of eight speakers (six plus two full-range speakers) and a subwoofer with a 5-channel analogue amplifier (200 Watts of power) that reproduces the lower frequencies and is built into the luggage compartment.

The Bose® Sound System arouses the same emotions as you feel when you listen to a live concert. The system offers realistic reproduction with crystal clear high notes and full, rich bass tones. It does not fall into the trap of creating unnatural sounds that are initially appealing but are tiresome for the listener in the long run. The sound also wraps around all the occupants and gives them the sensation that it is travelling through a much larger environment, because the sound system and the passenger compartment have been designed together to ensure perfect harmony between the technical specifications of both.

To achieve this result, the Bose® engineers carefully chose all the parts of the stereo system and established the best possible speaker position in relation to the listeners with the aid of advanced design software.

An integrated signal processor automatically adjusts bass tones so that they are always perfect at any volume. The device is more sophisticated than ordinary volume controls on conventional devices and ensures a high-quality sound that is always natural.

An active equalisation circuit ensures an excellent automatic electronic balance of all output frequencies, great stability and clarity of tone throughout the audio range. All this means that you can enjoy impeccable music reproduction under all driving conditions without having to fiddle with the controls.
Sound clarity is also aided by active compressor circuits that ensure the system does not display any distortion, even when the volume is turned up high. The interaction between all these sophisticated components gives rise to the extraordinary sound that has made the Bose® brand famous throughout the world.

CONNECT

Fiat Auto, a leader in the field of information technology for automotive applications, is now pursuing a policy of bringing GSM phones, navigation systems, Internet connection and devices such as handsfree sets and voice memos on board its cars. All these devices are concentrated in CONNECT, the most advanced integrated tool of this type and the one that currently offers the highest number of functions and services.

The CONNECT system, located in the centre of the facia, acts as an on-board assistant that can be asked to make a phone call, consult a road map, put on some music or take a memo. All this is done by means of the keys that surround the unit or voice commands that may be issued while the screen relays a detailed report on requirements. The resulting device is full of functions, comes at an advantageous price and is, above all, as easy to use as one would expect of latest-generation technology.

Apart from all this, CONNECT offers something more than its competitors. All the 'CONNECT' services provided by Targa Infomobility represent a true revolution in the field of in-car telematics. And all at the press of a single key. Sophisticated technology that is easy to use and always ready to serve the driver. More than twenty thousand subscribers throughout Europe cannot be wrong. They can call on our operators at the Arese Contact Centre who are always ready to provide information and resolve problems, 365 days a year. Motorists are just a phone call away from personal assistants who speak their language (14 are already active), can help them find their way and give them information on traffic conditions and the weather en route to their destination. They can even recommend a restaurant, book a hotel or buy airline tickets for motorists. The service can guide you step by step to your destination and even notify you of traffic changes (follow me service). While still remembering to give the result of a match played by your favourite team.

CONNECT is destined to make the idea of a car journey as a period of detachment from everyday activities and habits a thing of the past. Instead a car journey will become a time in our day that allows us to maintain contact with the outside world and even offer a few extra opportunities.

Alfa GT customers will be able to use the most advanced level of CONNECT: CONNECT Nav+, including RDS with CD-ROM drive for MP3 files; trip computer; dual band GSM phone with handsfree set and WAP technology; GPS module and SOS key for logging onto the Contact Centre to receive assistance and information; active matrix 7" colour display; map navigation system; Atlas function; voice commands for the phone and a voice memo. The system can also incorporate an external CD changer.