Альфа Ромео GTV и Spider 916: История и Особенности

the 916 series Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider

The Alfa Romeo GTV and the Alfa Romeo Spider (Type 916) were sports cars produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1993 to 2004. The GTV is a 2+2 coupé, and the Spider is a two seater roadster version of the GTV. Around 39,000 Spiders and 41,700 GTVs were built. The GTV's name (Gran Turismo Veloce–) placed it as the successor to the long discontinued Alfetta GTV coupé, whereas the Spider was effectively the replacement for the then 30 year old 105 series Giulia Spider. The GTV was available until the launch of the Brera in 2005, while the Spider lasted another year until the launch of its Brera based successor in 2006. The Alfa Romeo GTV was described as "one of the best sports cars of its time" by Jeremy Clarkson in 1998 and was listed at number 29 in Top 100 Cars in 2001.

Both cars were designed by Enrico Fumia at Pininfarina. The GTV was planned to re establish Alfa Romeo's sporty coupe tradition for the 1990s. The design dates back to initial renderings in September 1987; the first 1:1 scale clay models were completed in July 1988. After Vittorio Ghidella (Fiat CEO) accepted the design, Centro Stile Alfa Romeo under Walter de Silva was responsible for the completion of the detail work and the design of the interiors, as Pininfarina's proposal was not accepted. The Spider and GTV were based on the then current Fiat Group compact car platform, called "Tipo Due" (or Type 2) – in this case a heavily modified version with an all new multilink rear suspension. The front suspension and drivetrain was based on the 1992 Alfa Romeo 155 saloon. The chief engineer at that time was Bruno Cena. The Drag coefficient was 0.33 for the GTV and 0.38 for the Spider. The Alfa Romeo grille with dual round headlights was a motif later used on the Alfa Romeo Proteo. The car is wedge shaped with a low nose. The back of the car is "cut off" with a "Kamm tail" giving improved aerodynamics. The Spider shares these traits with the GTV except that the rear is rounded. The Spider featured a folding soft top with five hoop frame, which disappears from sight under a flush fitting cover. An electric folding mechanism was an option. Details included a rear lamp/fog lamp/indicator strip across the rear of the body and minor instruments in the centre console being angled towards the driver. At its launch, many journalists commented that Alfa had improved overall build quality considerably and that it came very close to equaling its German rivals.

In 1997 (Phase 1b) a new engine, a 24 valve 3.0 litre V6, was available for the GTV, The new 24V car also came equipped with a new 16" 5 hole 'teledial' wheel design to provide extra clearance for the larger, brakes and red four pot calipers from Brembo. Further exterior changes were new rear badging 'V6 24V' denoting the fitment of the new engine, and V6 Turbo sourced front bumper lip with just one intake on the right hand side to allow air flow to front mounted oil cooler. Some versions were upgraded with different front bumper mesh to bring the wind noise down to 74 dBA. On the interior, pleated leather seats from MOMO were offered in White, Red or Tan. These seats came with respective matching coloured carpet, pleated leather door card inserts as well as optional colour coded stitching around, hand brake, gear lever and the stitching of an all new three spoke steering wheel. First RHD cars from this generation retained the original, four spoke, steering wheel.

In May 1998 the cars were revamped for the first time (Phase 2), mainly the interior was changed with new center console, painted letters on skirt seals, changed controls and switches arrangement and different instrument cluster. On the exterior main changes included chrome frame around the grille and color coded side skirts and bumpers. A new engine was introduced, the 1.8 Twin Spark, and others were changed: the 2.0 Twin Spark was updated with a modular intake manifold with different length intakes and a different plastic cover. Power output of the 2.0 TS was raised to Engines changed engine management units and have a nomenclature of CF2. The dashboard was available in two new colours in addition to the standard black: Red Style and Blue Style, and with it new colour coded upholstery and carpets. 3.0 24V got a six speed manual gearbox as an optional extra. The 2.0 V6 TB engine was now also available for the Spider. From this generation every V6 engined car had additional air intakes on the lower lip.

In August 2000 (Phase 2b), engines were revamped to comply with new Euro3 emission standards. The units were slightly detuned and have a new identification code "CF3". The 3.0 V6 12V was discontinued for the Spider and replaced with the 24V version from the GTV, now only with 6 speed manual gearbox. The 2.0 V6 Turbo and 1.8 T. Spark were discontinued also and, for MY 2001, the engine range comprised only the 2.0 T. Spark and 3.0 V6 24V, until the "Phase 3" engine range arrived. The GTV/Spider were the last Alfa Romeo cars made at the Arese plant, which closed with production moving to Pininfarina, at its Giorgio Canavese plant in Turin, in October 2000.

In 2003 a new and last revamp arrived (Phase 3), also designed in Pininfarina but not by Enrico Fumia. Main changes are focused on the front with new 147 style grille and different front bumpers with offset numberplate holder. Change in interior was minimal with different center console and upholstery pattern and colours available. Instrument illumination colour was changed from green to red. Main specification change is an ASR traction control, not available for 2.0 TS Base model. New engines were introduced: 2.0 JTS with direct petrol injection and 3.2 V6 24V allowing top speed. By the end of 2004 production ended at Pininfarina's plant. Some cars were still available for purchase until 2006.

The GTV/Spider was equipped as standard with power steering, driver and passenger airbag, automatic air conditioning, front seatbelt pretensioners, Bosch ABS (with EBD from 1998), electric heated door mirrors, electric frameless windows with one touch operation for the driver's side, height adjustable headlamps, front and rear foglights, third brake light, fire prevention system, reach and rake adjustable leather clad steering wheel, stitched leather gear knob, an automatic electric aerial, a stereo radio/cassette with six speakers and central locking with Alfa CODE immobiliser, internal electric release for the bootlid and filler flap. The additional options were: alarm system, passenger side airbag installation/removal, electric heated seats (GTV only), metallic paint, iridescent paint (only with Lusso trim), leather MOMO seats (only with Lusso trim) and electric sunroof (GTV only). For the Spider some cars could be equipped with an electric hood folding mechanism. The Lusso was a separate trim rather than an option pack and the standard car was renamed the "Turismo" from "Medio" in the UK. Medio and Lusso trims on phase 1 and 2 cars were available with almost any engine, except for Medio only 1.8 L TS. Phase 3 cars were divided into Medio only 2.0 L JTS and Lusso only 3.2 L V6, also available was "Base" M. Y. 2003 2.0 L TS. Blue Style and Red Style interiors were available with Lusso trim on Phase 2 and on all Phase 3 cars. Blue Style consisted of blue dashboard and white or blue leather MOMO seats, while Red Style had red dashboard with red or black leather MOMO seats. Rest of the equipment and options remain unchanged. With standard black dashboard there were 4 leather MOMO seat colours to choose from (excluding limited editions): black, red and tan. Also light grey but only for Spider. On Phase 1 cars the leather MOMO seats were available in 3 colours: red, tan and white.

The front suspension utilises a fairly conventional set up that comprises MacPherson struts, offset coil springs, lower wishbones and an anti roll bar. The independent, multiple arm rear suspension comprises quadrilateral geometry with an upper triangle, double lower arms, coil springs and anti roll bar secured to a light alloy subframe which is, in turn, mounted onto the car's body. The design of this geometry, and the fine tuning of the bushes, is such that during initial stages of a turn, the centrifugal forces create a small 'rear wheel steer' effect in the opposite direction to the way the front wheels are being pointed. Then, as the centrifugal forces build up through the corner, the rear wheels start steering in the same direction as the front wheels. The result is a more positive 'attack' into the first stages of cornering and increased stability in the later stages. This multilink rear suspension was designed by Gianclaudio Travaglio.

There were numerous limited edition GTV and Spider available. All can be categorized into 4 groups: Edizione Sportiva GTV 2001, Special Series 2001, Limited Editions 2002 and Special Series 2004. Almost all have the titanium like finished center console without the Alfa Romeo script. All Special Series (except for some German market Edizione Classica) cars have a silver numbered plaque on the side of the center console. All of the cars except for the first have unique version codes. All Spiders have electrically operated hood. All cars are in Lusso trim equipment. Total numbers for each limited edition vary from as little as 8 or 10 to 419 or 700. Apart from producer sanctioned editions there were also few importer exclusive editions made for particular markets like Australia or Japan.

The GTV Cup is a limited edition inspired by the mono make Alfa GTV Cup race series in Italy. Only 419 cars were built in total, with 264 LHD versions and 155 RHD versions. Two different engines were used in the production: 180 cars were built with the 3.0 V6 24V (all 155 RHD versions were 3.0 models) and 239 cars with 2.0 Twin Sparks. The 3.0 V6 cars were only painted in Alfa Romeo Red while 2.0 TS cars were almost exclusively painted in Grigio Chiaro (there are just a few examples in red). Limited edition plaques, that were made of silver, differed for the RHD and LHD versions, having red and black texts accordingly and each run was separately numbered (i. e. there is both a LHD 001 and a RHD 001). Differences between the standard GTV and the Cup version are factory fitted rear spoiler, front spoiler, side skirts, wheel arch side vents and titanium like finish 17 inch 'telephone dial' alloys;, although mechanically they are the same as the regular specifications. The Cup exclusive interior offers half leather upholstery and the plastic centre console fascias were finished in a darker shade of grey. 2.0 TS GTV Cups have 4 pot Brembo callipers as have 3.0 V6 GTVs.

German market GTV available as a limited edition "Edizione Sportiva". Cars were only available with 2.0 TS or 3.0 V6 24V CF3 engines and produced in 2001. GTV Edizione Sportiva differed from the standard car by having black leather upholstery with red stitching, red carpets, front wings from Zender, Blaupunkt radio/navi with 10 CD changer in the boot, electric seats, 17 inch 'teledial' alloys and was available only in Nero Met. Edizione Sportiva was limited to 500 cars, but around 200 were made. This is the only limited edition to have the Alfa Romeo script on the center console and the only edition to lack the unique version code.

GTV 'Elegant' was available in Blu Vela Met. or Nero Met. and had brown leather upholstery, darker than the standard tanned leather; and black carpets. Also there were additional leather strips underneath the door armrest, as have most limited editions. It also has a "Serie Limitata" numbered plaque on the titanium like finished center console. Available with CF3 engines: 2.0 TS and 3.0 V6 24V.

Spider only, 2001 limited edition with either a 2.0 TS or 3.0 V6 24V engine. Sold only in Nero Met. with 17 inch high gloss 'teledial' alloys and electric hood. Center console with limited edition numbered plaque and without the "Alfa Romeo" script. Other combination features Rosso Miro Pearl. exterior and perforated black leather interior. Available with 2.0 TS and Nero Met. also with 3.0 V6 24V.

Two different GTV editions. Grigio Chiaro Met. exterior and 'tango' leather interior with black carpets. Azzurro Nuvola Pearl. exterior and Black Leather interior. 2.0 TS only.

Spider Edizione Sportiva was equipped with side skirts and front wings from Zender, available only in Grigio Chiaro Met. with perforated black leather upholstery with red stitching. All limited edition Spiders had titanium like finished center consoles, without the "Alfa Romeo" sign and unlike serie speciales didn't have a limited edition plaque. All were offered with 17 inch alloys and electrically folded hood.

Spider Edizione Elegante was available only in Nero Met. and had two tone leather seats, either black light grey or black red with matching side panels upholstery, equipped with 2.0 TS or 3.0 V6 24V.

Two different Spider editions. Blue Lightning Met. exterior and 'tango' brown leather interior with blue electric hood. Grigio Chiaro Met. exterior and Black Lys Grey Leather interior with black hood. 2.0 TS only with Blue Lightning Met. available also with 3.0 V6 24V.

Spider available only in Nero Met. and Motus like interior with black carpets, black upholstery and perforated red leather seats, equipped with 2.0 TS or 3.0 V6 24V.

Spider available only in Grigio Chiaro Met. with two tone interior: black tango leather, equipped with 2.0 TS or 3.0 V6 24V.

Spider available only in Blu Lightning Met. and Lys Grey Leather interior, equipped only with 3.0 V6 24V.

Phase 3 Spider only, available from March 2004, limited to 30 cars in Austria with total 150 cars. Black metallic with black/silver cloth interior 2.0 JTS engine.

Alfa 164 based concept from 1991, designed by Walter de Silva with styling cues from then ready GTV/Spider design.

Concept car styled by Leonardo Fioravanti in 2000, based on Spider chassis with 3.0 V6 12V engine.