Classic pearls of the future - Alfa Romeo GTV
05/03/2014
After the demise of the Alfa Romeo GTV 6 (and the 2.0), the Alfa range lacked a coupé for around eight years. This gap was then closed in 1994 with the new GTV of the 916 series, when it was presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
Technically, the platform of the Fiat Tipo was used, which meant front-wheel drive. However, many components ultimately came from the company's own kitchen. Above all, the engines were still those with the genuine "Cuore Sportivo", especially the six-cylinder engine, which, like the other drive units, naturally had to be installed transversely, shone with its gleaming exhaust pipes and exuded an acoustic concert atmosphere. The fact that the front wheels were driven due to the system was simply accepted as an Alfista.
The design of the GTV (and also of the Spider built in a similar form) was created by Pininfarina, with Enrico Fumia acting as draughtsman. The Alfa Romeo Centro Stile under Walter de Silva then brought the design closer to series production. The result was convincing, it was very modern and eye-catching, it could not be accused of looking like standardized mush. With a drag coefficient of around 0.33, the coupé was also wind-slippery in keeping with the times.
With the most powerful engine, the approximately 4.3-meter-long and 1.78-meter-wide car accelerated to 100 km/h in around 6.3 seconds thanks to 240 hp. This made it sporty enough and, thanks to its own rear axle, it also negotiated bends with talent.
It was produced until 2005, most recently by Pininfarina. Around 80,000 vehicles were produced from the 916 series, which also included the Spider, which was built in parallel.
It is not really that rare yet, which is why prices are still far from the new value, but good examples with the magical six-cylinder engine are sought after and fetch decent prices. Who knows ...
