The
Alfa 156 GTA, first launched in February, now stages a return at the 75th
Paris Motor Show. The stand features a saloon equipped with the powerful
3.2 V6 24v capable of a power output of 250 bhp and torque of 300 Nm, 30.6
kgm.
A power unit that returns an exhilarating performance that also makes the GTA extremely satisfying to drive even during everyday use. The torque curve reaches such high levels at low speeds that the car can be driven along in sixth gear at less than 2000 rpm yet still sprint away without the need to change gear.
Yet sports cars need much more than excellent engines. So our engineers took the outstanding base offered by the thoroughbred Alfa 156 and changed all the parts that affect vehicle dynamism. with the suspension first on the list. On the New Alfa 156, the lower beam of the high double-wishbone configuration front suspension adopted on the previous version has been reinforced. The specially designed wheel strut features a different steering link fastening position and the suspension also offers lower ride, new shock absorber spring settings and a bigger diameter antiroll bar. The rear is fitted with a MacPherson strut system with particularly advanced geometry and construction details, different body attachment points, bigger diameter antiroll bar and a special spring, shock absorber and bush settings. More sporty feeling was assured by a more direct steering ratio that gives you better control of the car and lets you do everything with pinpoint precision at the slightest turn of the wheel.
Two gearboxes, one manual and one Selespeed, brakes that are powerful and effective even under the harshest conditions, 305 x 28 mm ventilated front discs with twin-pot Brembo calipers and 276x10 mm rear discs; an ABS with electronic brakeforce distributor (EBD); Anti Slip Regulation (ASR) system and everything was in place. The result is two cars, saloon and Sportwagon, capable of thrilling performance and truly scintillating responses in terms of dynamism, ride and handling.
The much-admired basic shape remains unchanged. Exterior changes are therefore limited to a few features that add extra élan to the model's sporty appeal. From the outside, the car looks like a beefier Alfa 156: wider, lower to the ground and more evidently glued to the road. This is partly due to the tyres fitted: 225/45 tyres on 17" wheels.
Inside, the GTAs offer the same opulent specification developed for the New Alfa 156 but add certain decidedly sporty details that are exclusive to the version. The main ones are: high-containment, sports configuration seats with an adjustable thigh support; steering wheel spokes with Peltro grey metalluro inserts; leather gear lever knob and gaiter; aluminium pedals with rubber inserts.
the GTA legend
During the Sixties, the Touring category was one of the areas of motor sport most followed by the public and consequently also by the Manufacturers. Cars derived from standard production models battled it out on the circuits watched by crowds of fans. And the best drivers were not ashamed to race in this category. Great names included Jim Clark, John Whitmore and Andrea de Adamich.
Alfa Romeo wanted to be part of it all and the company decided to commission an up-and-coming workshop to prepare its cars: Autodelta, headed by Carlo Chiti, a world-famous designer from the Ferrari stable. The resulting marriage between engineering and motor sport has become the stuff of legend.
On February 18 1965, Autodelta's first creation was presented at the Amsterdam Motor Show. The car was a development of the Giulia GT, rechristened the GTA (the A stands for 'alleggerita' ( lightened ). The outer body was the same as that of the GT, but the interior trim was made out of Peraluman 25, a light alloy of aluminium, manganese, copper and zinc. The new car differed from its sister externally in the addition of front air intakes, handles and the triangular Autodelta badge. The 1600 Twin Spark twin shaft engine was vigorously reinforced to increase the power output from 106 to 115 bhp.
The GTA triumphed even on its first outings, though we expected nothing less of this winning car. Seven GTAs took the first seven places, for example, at the Jolly Club 4-hour race in Monza. With Andrea de Adamich and other great drivers at the helm, the cars began to steal the thunder of the Lotuses that had previously reigned supreme. De Adamich won on the Dutch circuit of Zandwoort to take the European touring championship.
The GTAs continued their domination of the European Challenge over the next few years and Andrea de Adamich was eventually called away by Ferrari to drive single-seater sports cars in Formula 1.
In 1968, Alfa Romeo presented on-road and racing versions of the GTA 1300 Junior (the racing version can be seen on the stand). The car looked the same as the standard production Junior, but was made leaner and meaner by long white bands along the sides. The racing version delivered 160 bhp (the on-road version 103 bhp). It goes without saying that the new GTA swept the board as soon as it went out on the track.
Now there were two racing GTAs and their domination lasted until 1970, the year that saw the arrival of the GTAm, derived from the 1750 GT Veloce. America The body was completely transformed compared to the original version, as was the engine - a 230 bhp two litre unit. The car, with the Dutchman Tonie Hezemans at the wheel, won the European Touring Championship in 1970 and 1971, taking six first places in eight races.
In 1992, Alfa Romeo decided to return to the track with a version of the 155 Q4 prepared to Italian SuperTouring Championship standards and rechristened GTA. Like the others, this car retained very little of the standard production version: carbon wings, a rear spoiler that could be tilted to different angles, a 16 valve turbocharged engine capable of 400 bhp of power (compared with 186 bhp of the normal version) plus an intercooler cooled by nebulised air. The four team cars were driven by Larini, Francia, Nannini and Tamburini. The new GTA won 17 of the 20 races it was entered for and Larini took the title. During the following year, this model stepped down to make way for the 155 V6 TI prepared for the German DTM. The new car also swept the field in its category.
