2003 Alfa Romeo GT Coupe (Bertone)

The Alfa GT, a new sports coupé derived from the Alfa 156 and indisputable star of the recent Geneva and Frankfurt Motor Shows, is due to go on sale at the end of the year. The model, designed by the Bertone Style Centre, will be appreciated for its original, pleasing styling that promises all the satisfaction of a sporty drive with full respect for brand traditions. The Alfa GT also succeeds in packing the results of Alfa’s superlative engineering heritage into a shape inspired by a sense of style and flair that could only be Italian. The stylists were also able to call on a great Alfa Romeo tradition that has brought us models that remain benchmarks for the category: from the 1900 SS to the Giulietta Sprint, from the Alfetta to the Giulia Sprint.

With a length of 4.48 metres, width of 1.76 metres and a height of 1.37 metres, the Alfa GT Coupé is aggressive and compact (its wheelbase is 2596 millimetres), with a shape marked by certain distinctive traits that define its strong personality and render it immediately recognisable as an Alfa. Hence the designers’ decision to go for smooth, clean motifs and shapes marked by an unmistakable sense of Italian flair. The result is a strong, spare front end dominated by an Alfa Romeo family resemblance encapsulated by the distinctive three-lobed motif bearing a shield that is slightly larger in size than at present. The entire car appears to grow from this point to combine a slight edge of styling aggression with outstanding elegance of form. This impression is reinforced by two side air intakes and light clusters that are objects of beauty in their own right.

Dashing and solid but also dynamic and sturdy. It took a clever balancing act to wed such disparate features. This contrast is evident in the Alfa GT’s profile where a side shelf unmistakably conveys the idea of a car that is agile but also anchored to the ground. And more.

The taut lines that meet at the rear and the small area of glass (compared to the large expanse of metal at the side) add elegance and also sturdiness.

The slightly raked and tapering tail design is brand new and paired with large, integral bumpers. The rear window is drop-shaped, while the light clusters are embedded in the body to create an attractive wraparound look.

Дизайн нового спортивного купе, построенного на платформе Alfa Romeo 156, разработан в ателье Bertone. Агрессивному внешнему виду полностью соответствует и внутреннее содержание: мощность самого «скромного» двигателя, которым будет оснащаться GT Coupe, составит 140 л.с., а самого мощного, объемом 3,2 литра — 250 л.с. Помимо бензиновых, на GT Coupe планируется устанавливать и турбодизель объемом 1,9 литра.

Alfa GT безусловно станет украшением российских дорог, и только последний злодей не скажет вслед проезжающей Alfa: “Какая красивая машина!” Спорное для спортивной модели, спокойное решение “морды” полностью компенсируется идеальным профилем и хищными узкими задними фонарями. Alfa Romeo не делает экспериментов – новая модель не увидит свет, пока руководство компании не удостоверится в том, что рождается новый дизайнерский шедевр легендарной фамилии.