Both the Alfa Romeo GTA and the GTAm not only bare testimony to this but translate into cars developed by people who share the passion of turning an already great car and into the ultimate experience. To further cement the brand’s position at the top end of the league of legends and to continue the legacy of building quality cars that goes as far back as 1910, Alfa Romeo has built only 500 numbered units of the GTA and the GTAm. With the order book officially open, official correspondence from Alfa says owners will not only acquire a legendary performance car but will also get a unique taste of motorsport experience and a package of accessories that come with the GTA and the GTAm.
Why the letters GTA
The acronym GTA stands for “Gran Turismo Alleggerita,” (alleggerita being the Italian term for “lightened”), and it originated in 1965 with the Giulia Sprint GTA, a very special model based on the Giulia Sprint GT that was designed as a sports car and presented at the Amsterdam Motor Show staged that same year.
For the new Giulia GTA, Alfa Romeo’s mechanical engineers have improved aerodynamics and handling, but, above all, they have reduced weight – the same guidelines followed for the 1965 Giulia GTA. The car’s active aerodynamics were specifically studied to increase the downforce. These solutions contain technical knowhow that comes directly from Formula 1, thanks to the synergy with Sauber Engineering and use of the Sauber Aerokit. The same task is assigned to the side skirts, the specific rear spoiler and the active front splitter.
The titanium Akrapovič central exhaust system integrated in the carbon fibre rear diffuser is also new, as are the 20-inch centre lock wheels, appearing for the first time on a sedan. The Giulia’s handling at high speeds has been improved by widening the front and rear wheel tracks by 50mm and developing a new set of springs, shock absorbers and bushings for the suspension systems.
On the GTAm, the aerodynamic front piece has been optimised to an extreme level by adding a larger front splitter and a real carbon rear wing, which ensure a perfectly balanced load at high speeds.
As light and as powerful as a supercar
In terms of performance, the car’s powerful 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo, made entirely of aluminium and capable of unleashing no less than 375kW in standard trim, reaches a power output of 390kW on the Giulia GTA, thanks to meticulous calibration work performed by Alfa Romeo engineers. This, together with a power increase of 390kW, brings the power/weight ratio to an excellent 246kW/ton or 4.1kg/kW, making the Giulia GTA capable of delivering supercar performance. Its acceleration from 0 to 100km/h stops the chronometer at just 3.6 seconds thanks to a bespoke Launch Control system.
Moving inside the car, several new details stand out with the new matte carbon inserts, an endowment of the interior with a distinctive technical and aesthetic elegance. The new GTAm’s interior architecture is unique and resembles nothing but a race car interior. It features a roll bar and there are no door panels and rear seats. In place of the door handles, Alfa Romeo designers opted for introduction of a set of belts, which is a touch of class synonymous with the racing world.
Power on its own is not enough to ensure extraordinary performance in the new GTA and GTAm. The work done to reduce vehicle weight has been meticulous and has reaped particularly impressive results. The total weight reduction amounts to 100kg, thanks to the adoption of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre for the drive shaft, hood, roof, front bumper, front wheel arches and rear wheel arch inserts. and the shell of the specific sporting seats with 6-point Sabelt safety.
Further, lightweight aluminium is used in the engine, doors and suspension systems, and various other composite materials are used throughout. For instance, Lexan – a unique polycarbonate resin that comes straight from the world of motorsports – has been used in the side and rear window frames, further contributing to the weight reduction.
Peugeot 2008 SUV is SA car of the year
The Peugeot 2008 SUV is the 2021 South African Car of the Year, beating 23 finalists in the prestigious competition. The announcement was made by the South Africa Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) in Centurion, South Africa on the morning of 27 September.
The dynamic and distinctive crossover held its head proudly above South Africa’s motoring best to take the overall title. Along the way it was also honoured with the 2021 Jurors Excellence Award and beat out five strong competitors in the hotly-contested Compact Family category, one of the most contested groups in this year’s competition. There were six nominees in the category, including Hyundai’s Creta crossover, Toyota’s Corolla Sedan, the Volkswagen T-Roc, Kia Seltos, and the Mazda CX-30.
The Peugeot 2008 allows families to escape the ordinary, the versatile SUV designed firmly with lifestyle intentions. Next generation technology, a selection of powerful, fuel-efficient engines and dynamic, appealing styling all contributed to the car being recognised for the SAGMJ’s accolade.
“We’re naturally delighted by the recognition by the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists of our exciting Peugeot 2008 SUV,” said Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director of Stellantis South Africa.
This is the car that was in June as the most admired car in South Africa. With its fluid and robust lines, the all-new Peugeot 2008 SUV delivers masterful power and efficiency. Its striking front grille, horizontal bonnet, and raised ground clearance enhance the sophisticated and sharp design. At the rear, the spoiler, gloss black rear cluster connecting strip, and chrome exhaust affirm its sporty, tenacious personality. There were 23 finalists in the running for this year’s awards across nine categories. Stellantis featured twice among the nominees, the new generation Opel Corsa ranking in the Compact category.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio amongst most affordable cars to own
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio was on 4 October ranked among the most affordable cars to own in the inaugural AA Spare Parts Pricing Guide. The Alfa Romeo SUV came out tops in both categories in the Executive SUV class, one of only two brands to win multiple segments of the research.
The recognition comes after its sedan stablemate, the Alfa Romeo Giulia, ranked the winner in the 30th and final AA Kinsey Report last year, which also researched parts and service costs across the South African motor industry.
Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio has the lowest rand value of the AA’s parts basket research in the Executive SUV segment. It also features the lowest service costs, proving that it is not only gorgeous to look at and beautiful to drive; it is also cost-effective to own.
In addition to the Alfa Romeo, the Peugeot 208 1.2 Active was deemed the most affordable Compact Family vehicle to service, with the lowest rand value parts basket in its category. The irresistible hatchback offers sporty and sensual design, brimming with innovative technology, at a very attractive price point.
Sharing the Giulia’s dynamic platform, Alfa Romeo’s first SUV conquered a complex challenge to make an Alfa capable of driving with agility off-road without losing anything in terms of performance and handling on-road. In other words this is an SUV that can be driven like a sports sedan.
Featuring perfect 50/50 weight distribution, Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel drive architecture, best-in-class power-to-weight ratios and innovative engine and driver technologies, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio embodies everything that a true Alfa Romeo should. Not only that, but the Stelvio can rightly claim to be the lightest mid-size SUV in its class, thanks to its lightweight body structure and carbon fibre driveshaft.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio certainly does stand out from the crowd, thanks to its distinctive Italian design expressed through its proportions and technical architecture that leaves the impression of sophisticated simplicity and quality inside and out.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is available in Super and Quadrifoglio models powered by an all-aluminium four-cylinder 206kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and mighty a 375kW Bi-Turbo V6 respectively. Both models feature a host of safety and luxury features as standard and automatic 8-speed transmission.
The all new Volkswagen Golf GTI officially on sale
A Volkswagen Golf GTI has over the past 45 years become not only a cultural icon but also the people’s car with an undisputed iconic cult status. Launched in August 2021 to plenty of hype, the car builds on seven generations of being the people’s hot hatch and continues with the recipe that’s won so many over.
About the new GTI
Though the Golf 8 GTI was launched in some global markets in 2020, its local introduction has been hampered by the damning effects of COVID-19 and the global microchip shortage. However, units have been arriving fortunately and our own Volkswagen dealership has managed to have one of the many units still to come. At the time of going to press, details were not available. The car continues to ride on the MQB platform that underpins so many of the Volkswagen Group’s products, including the previous generation GTI, but it is markedly different in the 8. At the front, the car’s subframe is made of aluminium along with improvements on the suspension that increase stiffness.
Codenamed EA888, the new GTI uses the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the previous GTI. Only now, engine output has been increased to 180kW and 370Nm. Power is still fed to the front wheels via the automaker’s acclaimed 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. From 0-100km/h is cleared in a claimed 6.4 seconds while the top speed is 250km/h.
