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9 Alfa Romeo To Put In Your Garage While Saving Money For The Giulia GTAm
Edited by Carlo Brema
The latest Giulia GTA has been unveiled a year ago and the hype for the ultimate Alfa Romeo shows no sign of waning. With good reason we would say, given that the “biscione” seems having managed to further emphasized the warlike nature of the Giulia Quadrifoglio, not only one of the best performance sedans ever, but the redemption model that the Arese brand has been waiting for so long. A comeback in grand style that features the Quadrifoglio treatment for the Stelvio SUV as well, again on the top step of its segment. It seemed impossible, yet the targeted mechanical interventions have sharpened the aerodynamics of the GTA versions and of the even more extreme GTAm, which is equipped with only two seats and an immense wing at the back, celebrating the glory of a past that have consecrated the well-known Alfa’s nickname to history.
Today’s Cuore Sportivo, however, is not an object for everyone’s pockets and the already demanding figures seem to increase tenfold, risking speculations that some wealthy collectors throw all over internet, trying to make money on a product they will never be able to really appreciate, given that the true essence of a Giulia GTA (or GTAm) is something visceral, understandable only driving it. We have therefore decided to offer you some alternatives that, even if they have less horsepower under the hood, are still able to offer fun and similar driving involvement, maybe using the famous Busso engine, which powered some of the most interesting models of what is considered as the darkest period of the brand. With a much more reasonable price and maintenance costs more within the reach of us mortals, you can take home one of these Alfas, so be ready to devour many more kilometers and at the same time refresh your memory, because if today we have the new Quadrifoglio and the GTA, it is thanks to them.
164 Q4
The 164 was the flagship sedan produced between 1987 and 1997. Characterized by a square design resulting from the careful work carried out by the Pininfarina team led by Enrico Fumia, it represented a clear step forward compared to their other models of the era. In addition to a cockpit covered in soft leather, the 164 Q4 was paired with a strong high performance nature thanks to a 3-liter 24-valve V6 engine capable of delivering 231 hp and 280 Nm of torque. Not just powerful, but also effective between bends due to the all-wheel drive transmission (that’s what Q4 means) and adjustable suspension that in Sport mode offer greater rigidity and therefore better cornering, perfectly communicating with the rear Torsen differential. The 6-speed gearbox made possible to fire one gear after another, accelerating from 0-100 kph in less than 8 seconds and with a maximum speed of about 238 per hour.
166 3.2 V6
Considered by many as the last great Alfa Romeo flagship sedan, the 166 picks up the scepter from the 164 and evolves the angular design making it even more refined and elegant. In 2003, on the occasion of the mid-life restyling, the 166 was equipped with the famous Busso engine, the most powerful in the range at the time. The 3.0 V6 is thus supplanted by the 3.2 V6 which brings maximum power from 220 to 240 horses with a peak torque of 289 Nm at 4,800 rpm. With a modern and rather neat interior, the car proves to be effective even through corners, confirming a strong performance vocation mainly by virtue of a considerable torsional rigidity, despite traction only on the front axle does not allow to gain those points useful to make it exceptional in all situations that come to mind. It takes just 7.4 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 kph, while top speed stands at 245 kph.
156 GTA / 156 SPORTWAGON GTA
In September 2001, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 156 GTA was unveiled, the ultimate tribute to the Gran Turismo Alleggerita (lightened grand tourer) of the 1960s. Interior, door panels, hood and trunk are the only things shared with a random 156, everything else is unique and unmistakably GTA. Pushed by the 3.2 V6 Busso, it delivers 250 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque, which are grounded via a 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. To make the steering even more responsive there is a special calibration which, by reducing overall movement, speeds up response, while the Brembo braking system is bigger and more powerful. The GTA “treatment” was made available for the 156 Sportwagon as well.
159 3.2 JTS Q4 / 159 3.2 JTS Q4 SPORTWAGON
In 2005 the 159 replaced the 156. It did so with a more modern and sinuous design characterized by thinner headlights and a cockpit updated to the stylistic traits of the new millennium. Unfortunately, although everyone was waiting for a GTA version, this never arrived and we had to settle for the Turismo Internazionale (abbreviated TI) version, which included side skirts, front and rear spoilers, bigger alloy wheels and chromed tailpipes. If the aesthetic package would not have screamed violence as in the case of the GTA, the 3.2 JTS V6 was however able to dispense driving fun thanks to the generous engine brought to 260 hp and 322 Nm of torque, ideal with Q4 all-wheel drive and available both with a 6-speed manual gearbox or with a 6-speed Q-Tronic automatic. Acceleration on 0-100 at around 7 seconds and maximum speed at 270 per hour.
147 GTA
Who says fun is only for grownups? Certainly not Alfa Romeo and in fact, starting from the base of the 147 hatchback, there you have one of the most controversial yet iconic hot-hatches ever produced. The 147 GTA was presented at the end of 2002 and immediately made clear that it was a sports car designed for enthusiasts. The look is extreme, with much wider bumpers and wheel arches only reminiscent of the model we are used to see on the streets, 17-inch wheels and the inevitable hum of the 3.2 Busso under the bonnet. 250 horsepower delivered at 6,200 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm, which under a body with reduced dimensions and a weight of just 1,360 kg, make the 147 GTA a pocket rocket that pays however the fact of having traction only on the front axle. Still the 6-speed manual gearbox and a full-bodied engine in terms of delivery and thrust at high revs manage to overcome the limits imposed by the chassis, making the 147 a small racing car perfectly at ease even in the city.
GTV 3.2 V6
You got it now right?. In this period, Busso implies that we are dealing with the sportiest variant of any Alfa Romeo model. The GTV, the angular coupe designed by Pininfarina, once again led by the pencil of Enrico Fumia, it is no exception. 3.2 liters V6, 240 hp and 289 Nm of maximum torque: these are the main figures of the sports car from Arese which unfortunately entrusts its performance aspirations to a front-wheel drive layout. This does not imply that it is not fun to drive, as we are still talking about a car that stops the scales under a ton and a half, agile and responsive enough to be fully enjoyed along a curvy road and score a 0-100 in just 6.3 seconds.
BRERA 3.2 V6
In 2005, the Brera replaced the GTV taking up the even more squared stylistic features introduced by the brand thanks to the contribution of Giugiaro. The completely new look however remains faithful to the concept unveiled shortly before the final creation of the model. Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful Alfa Romeos of recent decades, the Brera introduces new engines in order to comply with the new anti-pollution regulations, like in the case of the 1750 TBi, a 4-cylinder direct injection turbocharged petrol outputting 200 hp and – most importantly – 320 Nm of torque already available at 1,400 rpm. But if you’ve been waiting for it, here comes the Busso old school alternative to the new turbocharged engine, reconfirming the 3.2 V6 for the Brera as well. Available with front or all wheel drive, the 3.2 JTS delivers 260 hp, but pays the price of a weight of approximately 1,600 kg, which penalizes it not only in terms of pure speed, but also in terms of driving dynamics. Apart from this, is it or is it not one of the most aesthetically pure and cheapest alternatives to the crazy Giulia GTAm?
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