SLEEK, CHIC & FLAVOUR OF THE WEEK (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 95

When it comes to buying a used Alfa Romeo GT coupe, there will be a huge proportion of buyers who will disregard any objective advice given in reports such as this. The key criterion for such people is to get That Shape on their driveway for as little outlay as possible. It's a seductive looking thing and one that shows Alfa styling back at its brilliant best. If you want the prettiest shape currently gracing our roads for sensible money, here's what to buy. Just be aware that the car can have a few idiosyncrasies.

Modelsword count: 9

Models Covered: (3dr Coupe [2.0, 3.2 petrol, 1.9JTD diesel])

Historyword count: 210

Building cars is an expensive business. We only have to look at the demise of MG Rover to realise quite how much it costs to put a new model on the road. Therefore when manufacturers get the opportunity to spread the investment in a new model over a few different variants, it makes financial sense to do so. Alfa's 147 hatch had enjoyed notable success, picking up a Car Of The Year gong upon launch, and retaining the same chassis but grafting on a sleek coupe shape was a cost effective and expedient way of adding a car to the line up to replace the ageing GTV model. Few realised quite how right the resulting shape would look. Launched in March 2004, the styling house Bertone were responsible for most of the design and the GT was originally pencilled in to be assembled at their Turin plant where spare capacity had been freed up by the demise of the Fiat Punto Cabriolet. After many beans were counted, however, Alfa Romeo thanked Bertone very much for their penmanship and decided to build the GT alongside the 147 at their Pomigliano d'Arco plant just outside Naples. The range was launched with 2.0-litre and 3.2-litre petrol engined variants and a 148bhp JTD turbodiesel.

What You Getword count: 276

The Alfa Romeo GT really has no business looking as good as it does, as closer inspection will reveal that it's something of a mix and match between 156 saloon and 147 hatch. The tape measure shows that the car rides on the 2596mm long 156 wheelbase but underneath the pretty styling, the firewall, the pedal box, the steering column and the entire climate control system are pure 147. The front wings are shared with the 147 GTA although the bonnet has been slightly modified. The cowled instruments and sporting logos that can look a little overblown on a base 147 hatch suddenly make all sorts of sense in a 'proper' coupe. The script on the dials has been revised for the GT, the centre console has been redesigned and the material used for the dashboard is of a different texture to standard 147. Many will be sold on the GT long before their slacks hit the seats. Much of that will be due to the swoopy styling. Much of it is contemporary Alfa Romeo, particularly around the front end where few will be able to distinguish GT form 147 as it arrives in their rear view mirror. As the GT slides by, however, a high-waisted scalloped flank is evident with a stub tail that's almost reminiscent of an early eighties Giulietta. Unlike the Giulietta, however, that 'boot' is in fact a bit of automotive trompe l'oeil, opening to reveal a gaping hatchback. There's 320 litres of room back there, which is a good deal more than a 147 hatch can muster with its rear seats in place and almost as much as the 156 saloon.

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