TEST – Reference to a glorious past, the new GTA intends to mark in a brilliant way the announced revival of the Italian brand with clover.
She had to be the gift ofAlfa Romeo to all its admirers to celebrate with dignity the hundred and tenth anniversary of the brand last year. But, between pandemic and integration into the bosom of the Stellantis group, with the arrival of a new boss, the project has taken a bit of delay. It was worth the wait: the Giulia GTA is fireworks! A concentrate of what the Italian brand knows how to do best. A sensation factory which, when you take the wheel, leads to a daring comparison, but ultimately quite natural, with the Porsche 911 GT3; that of the purists. You smile? Take a look at the technical sheet: with 540 hp for a weight of 1498 kg in its GTAm version, the Alfa offers a power-to-weight ratio of 2.8 kg / hp, identical to that of the Porsche ( 510 hp for 1,435 kg). The comparison does not stop there since the Italian sedan pushes the vice until being displayed practically at the same price as the German one: 176,400 €, in GTAm version, to which it is necessary to add a penalty of 30,000 € , against 170,014 € for the 911, without options. A delusional price for an Alfa Romeo, it is true, but which is that of exclusivity.
Made in only 500 numbered copies, the GTA is sure to delight collectors. But above all that of sports piloting enthusiasts. Its philosophy is indeed that of the legendary GTA of 1965: a car that is as comfortable on the road as on the circuit. The recipe is also the same: more horses and less kilos. It is of course the Quadrifoglio version which serves as the basis for the GTA. It is offered in two versions: standard, at 171,600 €, approved in five places and more intended for the road, or GTAm (“m” for modificata), more oriented towards the track, against a supplement of 4,800 € . They share the same mechanics, namely the 2.9-liter V6 which here delivers 540 hp, or 30 hp more than under the hood of the Quadrifoglio. For this, the engine manufacturers did not content themselves with turning the wheel of the turbos but also worked on the inside of the engine, with new connecting rods and pistons cooled by oil jet, by adding a new central exhaust line. Akrapovic in titanium.
On the weight side, around a hundred kilograms have been saved, mainly thanks to numerous carbon fiber bodywork elements (fenders, roof, hood, shields and even the drive shaft). Regarding the GTAm version, another 25 kg were eaten away thanks to the removal of the rear seat, the replacement of the door handles with straps, carbon monohull seats and polycarbonate rear windows. A robust roll cage also stiffens the body while the important work on aerodynamics carried out in collaboration with Sauber Engineering, which operates the Alfa Romeo in F1, is reflected in particular by a retractable front spoiler blade and an imposing adjustable rear spoiler. providing up to 80 kg of additional axle load.
The whole chassis has of course been adapted to performance, with revised running gears, significantly widened tracks, controlled damping, huge carbon-ceramic brakes and splendid 20-inch wheels with central nut, shod with Michelin tires. specific.
Driving a supercar
With its Supertourism car silhouette, its numerous aerodynamic carbon appendages and its eye-catching colors (Etna red, Montreal green …), the GTA is certainly not discreet but it nevertheless retains a typically Italian style. , racy and elegant. A hell of a face! On board, despite the four doors, the atmosphere is resolutely sporty, with a dashboard entirely dressed in Alcantara, numerous carbon inserts and, at the wheel of the GTAm, an unequivocal semi-recumbent driving position. Wedged at the bottom of the bucket, all that remains is to press the big red button which acts as a starter on the steering wheel.
On the small roads of the Alpine foothills, north of Milan, the GTA finds an ideal playground. Dynamic mode selected, the V6 freely expresses its ardor, ensuring surprisingly vigorous pick-ups at the exit of bends and accelerations all the more impressive as they are accompanied by a captivating hoarse howl. Surprisingly responsive, the automatic gearbox is part of the fun with its manual mode and steering wheel paddles, and, far from showing itself to be overwhelmed by the charge of the cavalry, the rear axle shows great traction, while ensuring maneuverability. that one expects from a powerful propulsion. Precise and incisive, the front axle fixes the trajectory which one then controls with the accelerator. Jubilant! Despite the significantly firmed suspensions and the tires with very low sidewalls, the controlled damping guarantees sufficient filtration to maintain a correct level of comfort. The standard version adds better padded seats, appreciable on long journeys.
A few laps of the track at the Alfa Romeo test center in Balocco confirm the good sporting arrangements of the GTA. With the confidence offered by braking that is as powerful as it is enduring and the exceptional grip of semi-slick tires, you experience a driving pleasure that has little to envy that of an authentic supercar. Perfectly stable in big curves, surprisingly agile in the series of turns, the GTA quite simply sends its pilot for a day to its own limits.
Our opinion
To offer a Giulia at the price of a Porsche 911 GT3, you had to dare! Alfa Romeo did it and, on closer inspection, there is nothing shocking about it. The new GTA has all the qualities of an exceptional sports car. With, as a bonus, the exclusivity of a limited production and an inimitable Latin charm. And then, like the Porsche, it is one of those very rare cars capable of being as comfortable on the road as on a circuit. That has no price.
Technical sheet
Engine
Displacement: 2,891 cc
Type: V6 biturbo
Power: 540 hp at 6,500 rpm
Torque: 600 Nm at 2,500 rpm
Transmission
Type: Propulsion
Gearbox: 8-speed automatic
Dimensions (L/l/h): 4 654 (4 669) x 1 765 x 1 433 mm
Safe: 480 liters
Weight: 1,523 kg (GTAm: 1,498)
Performances
0-100 km / h: 3.6 seconds (GTAm: 3.8 s)
Speed: 300 km / h
Mixed EU consumption: 10.8 l / 100 km
Emissions CO2: 244 g/km
Price: 171,600 € (GTAm: 176,400 €)
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