Stirring the passions

Sales of Alfa Romeo vehicles were up 87 per cent last year. Motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE finds out what the fuss is about.

The good news for Lawrie Malatios is that Alfa Romeo sold more cars than it anticipated last year. The bad news? "As a consequence, we are a month short of stock."

Malatios, general manager for Fiat and Alfa Romeo importers Ateco Automotive New Zealand Ltd, says his latest shipment of Alfa Romeos will help to catch up on orders.

"Last November and December were especially good months for us, but it meant that we haven't had enough stock this year to fulfil early demand," he said.

"Year to date we are ahead of where we were last year with Alfa - but we would be further ahead if we could get some cars."

Malatios likes to remind the industry that Alfa Romeo was the big improver in New Zealand last year, selling 317 models against 169 in 2000. "It experienced the biggest increase of any brand, with sales up 87 per cent."

He expects Alfa sales to be up around 400 this year, thanks largely to further interest generated by the high-performance GTA version of the four-door 156, due in August. "Inquiry about the GTA is incredible - we are getting calls about it every day."

The added interest in things Alfa Romeo is one reason why Matalios has appointed new dealers in Hamilton and Tauranga.

"With this increasing demand we need to provide a dedicated service to the upper North Island. Now customers in these areas can shop locally."

The GTA comes 37 years after the first Grand Turismo Alleggerita (Grand Touring Lightweight), based on the 1965 Giulia Sprint model. The Giulia turned out to be one of the most successful racing Alfas ever.

The next major models for Alfa are the 156 and GTV replacements. The new GTV is due in New Zealand in 2004.

Clues to what it will look like are hidden in the lines of the production-ready concept Brera, a two-plus-two rear-drive V8 designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and unveiled at the Geneva motor show.

"The Brera points to the direction Alfa Romeo will take with the new GTV, both in styling and in levels of performance," said the carmaker's public relations boss for New Zealand and Australia, Edward Rowe.

The Brera and its carbon-fibre body is powered by a 300kW 4.2-litre V8 engine from stablemate Maserati.

Does that mean the new GTV will have V8 power for the first time? "Yes," said Rowe. What about all that power? Surely Alfa won't put 300kW through the front wheels alone?

"No. The GTV will stay with its traditional front-drive layout, but there will be four-wheel-drive models available. There are no plans for a rear-drive GTV."

It can be assumed then that the entry-level GTV will be a front-drive V6 and the premium model a four-wheel-drive V8. Buyers can expect a choice of manual or Formula One-style sequential gearboxes.

The Brera front sports a 1950s-style bonnet design sloping downwards towards Alfa's traditional shield grille, which is flanked by three-element headlights on each side.

The scissor-like doors open upwards rather than out. The rear recalls the modelled rear window of the Giulietta Sprint and, with its seamless bumper, is hunched and taut. Four chromed exhaust pipes point to the car's power.

The carmaker's PR department got gushy: "Alfa Romeo has carved out a technological evolution that translates into a unique synthesis of almost intimate and intentionally reserved driving pleasure; requisites that make their statement through classic appeal and elegant lines, designed to weather the toll of time."

The Brera is 4388mm long, 1894mm wide and 1289mm high. The Porsche 911 in comparison is 4430mm long, 1770mm wide and 1305mm high.

Alfa Romeo says the car's interior is as bold as the exterior. Interior lighting is regulated constantly by sensors.

All metal parts near the knees or shoulders of the driver or passengers are protected and padded.

The sound system is the best in the business, says Alfa, boosting sound quality by 60 per cent over existing systems.

A giveaway to the Brera's go-fast credentials are the grab handles on the front passenger's side, one on the door and one on the transmission tunnel.