156 GTA launch

["Tim Hancock" <timhancock@domain.elided>]

Just read the Saturday telegraph write up by Paul Hudson of the 156 GTA.launch
at the Targa Florio course in Sicily........want one..want one...want one!!!

 Just one fly in the ointment of the launch 'do'......... Alfa billed the
launch "The Return of a Myth"......when what they surely meant was "The Return
of a Legend".

I can't resist sharing an excerpt with you....I feel green with envy just
reading it. This is MY kind of car, no question.

<< The V6 fires with a throaty burble and fair launches the GTA towards the
horizon,spinning smoothly towards the 7000 rpm red line and sounding
marvellous. Alfa V6s have always sounded superb but the 3.2 version is the
best yet. There's a strong surge of torque fron 2000rpm, but the motor really
comes on song between 5000 and 7000 rpm

Early big FWD Alfas were plagued by torque steer and proved unruly on
demanding roads. Not so the GTA. ASR traction control is fitted to temper the
effects of 250bhp being transmitted to the front tyres and it works
unobtrusively--you can see the yellow warning light blinking, but simply
ignore it and stay on the throttle to be rewarded by controllable power and
not a hint of wheelspin.

Add prodigious grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres and you can keep the
power on all the way through corners,braking deep and late before accelerating
away at full chat. The more you drive it, the better it gets. Push harder and
the GTA rewards you, its clever suspension geometry allowing the tail to tuck
in with a slight lift of the throttle. Approaching a corner too fast? No
problem--the Brembo brakes are superb, strong and fade free.

It is simply amazing for a front-drive chassis. Yet, despite the the cornering
gymnastics and well controlled body roll, the ride remains supple and absorbs
road irregularities rather than crashing into them like Alfas of yore. The GTA
is sure to be a refined cruiser when time isn't of the essence.

The steering adds to the fun. At 1.75 turns lock to lock it is reckoned to be
the most direct steering available on any production car. Whether thats true
or not the GTAs sytem provides sublime feel while eliminating kickback. Alfa
also claims the gearchange has been improved, although it still felt sticky
from third to second. Being in charitable mood after a great drive, I'l put it
down to the test cars low mileage>>

Three cheers to Alfa and a big pat on the back for leaving the exterior
styling alone on the facelifted 156. They have improved the interior and
equipment levels which is just as it should be.

Mind you...its not a real Alfa is it???? hee hee hee!



Tim Hancock    FIAT 164 TS Lusso   Boston UK

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