Alfa Romeo History 2000 to 2002
PASSION
The Alfa 147's successes
8 November 2000: the Alfa 147 is awarded the 2000 "Golden Steering Wheel", the most prestigious German prize in the compact-car category, comfortably beating the Audi A2 and the Opel Corsa. The event, organized by the magazine "Bild am Sonntag", the biggest-selling Sunday paper in Europe, has been held every year for 25 years. In 1995 the prize went to the Alfa Romeo GTV.
Alfa 147 becomes Car of the Year 2001. The international jury for the "Car of the Year" Prize, composed of 56 specialist journalists representing 21 European countries, awarded the 2001 title to the Alfa 147..
Alfa Romeo at 90
2000: Alfa Romeo celebrates 90 years of history with a series o, with a parade of 50 Alfa Romeos, all built before 1965, passing through Palermo, Noto, Syracuse, Catania, Caltanissetta, Ragusa, and Trabia. f spectacular events. Beginning with the touring Cuore Sportivo exhibition. The Sustaining Beauty exhibition premières in Dublin, before moving on to Warsaw and Vienna.
The company was also an official backer of two major sporting events for the Portello Scuderia and the RIAR. The London-Sidney Marathon 2000, for cars produced before 1970, saw the participation of the Portello Scuderia with a 1967 Giulia Ti Super. The competition, over a distance of 18 thousand kilometers, set off from London and took competitors through central Europe, Romania, Turkey and Iran, finishing in Sidney, Australia. For its part, RIAR organized an event which ties in with the company's sporting history: the XXI Alfa Romeo International Vintage Car Rally - La Sicilia and the Targa Florio.
The 2001 convention
In Milan, during the first fortnight of June 2001, for the of its own Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo sales networks, Fiat Auto organized a convention that was unprecedented for the breadth of the program under discussion and for the number of people involved. It was attended by a total of 6000 people, representing 2180 dealerships from 25 countries.
The goal was to define the group's marketing development strategy for the near future. The result: a comprehensive work program representing Fiat Auto's measured response to the changes taking place in the car manufacturing industry.
Of the three brands, Alfa Romeo can claim the benefit of a great tradition and the brand's excellent image among the public. The new Alfa 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA herald a new line pf products that will see the launch of a GTA for every model in the range.
So lots of new models are planned for the future.
The strength of the brand and its products, together with a special marketing plan, will help to bring the brand even closer to its customers, bringing it right into their world. This means: seeing Alfa Romeo on the big screen (as has already happened with the Giulietta in "The Graduate"), touring exhibitions with beautiful vintage cars from the Alfa Romeo Museum, targeted sponsorship, and advertising that is more closely related to the lifestyle of Alfa Romeo's target customers.
The legend of the GTA lives again
In September 2001 two cars are launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show with exhilarating performance: the Alfa 156 GTA and the Sportwagon GTA. 36 years on from the legendary Giulia Sprint GTA, Alfa Romeo can once again offer its fans two cars that, now as then, represent the essential values the company holds dear.
Stylistically it was decided not to completely revolutionize the basic saloon and station wagon styles, but rather to limit the external modifications to only a few elements, intended to give the model an even more sporty feel. The "real" innovation in these cars lies in their technical content: the new GTAs mount a brand new 3.2 liter engine, giving a power output of 250 bhp at 6400 rpm and a peak torque of 30 kgm at 5000 rpm.
The Alfa 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA will be on sale from February 2002. The sporting legend is alive and well.
CARS
Alfa Sportwagon
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2000
ENGINE: 4 cylinders in line, front transversal - 6 cylinders at 60°-V, front transversal (2.5 V6) - 5 cylinders in line, front transversal (2.4 JTD)
ENGINE CAPACITY: cc 1598 (1.6 TS)- 1747 (1.8 TS) - 1970 (2.0 TS) - 2492 (2.5 V6) - 1910 (1.9 JTD) - 2387 (2.4 JTD)
POWER OUTPUT: kW 88 - 120 bhp at 6300 rpm. (1.6 TS), kW 103 - 144 bhp at 6500 rpm. (1.8 TS), kW 110 - 155 bhp at 6400 rpm. (2.0 TS), kW 138/141 - 190 bhp at 6300 rpm. (2.5 V6), kW 81 - 115 bhp at 4000 rpm. (1.9 JTD), kW 103 - 136 bhp at 4200 rpm. (2.4 JTD)
TOP SPEED: 191 - 230 Km/hr
The sports wagon, Alfa Romeo style.
The station-wagon version of the Alfa 156 is launched in 2000 - the Alfa Sportwagon. It takes its technical content and engines from the 156: four petrol engines, and two turbodiesel JTD. The 2.0 Twin Spark is also available with Selespeed sequential transmission, with controls on the steering wheel, plus the completely automatic City function, for driving in city traffic. The 2.5 V6 24v offers the 6-speed version, or there is the Q System, allowing the driver to choose between automatic and manual at any time. The body has high torsional rigidity and there is perfect balance between the dual wishbone suspension at the front and the evolved McPherson suspension at the rear. As an optional extra the car offers rear Nivomat suspension, capable of compensating in real time for any trim variations caused by a load. The latest generation ABS system with integrated EDB ensures the best distribution of the braking force over all four wheels. The car also offers great stability at all speeds, with precision and smoothness when taking bends. It combines a sheer sporty feel with the freedom and versatility of an estate.
Alfa 147
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2000
ENGINE: 1.6 Twin Spark - 105 bhp (77 kW)
1.6 Twin Spark - 120 bhp (88 kW)
2.0 Twin Spark - 150 bhp (115 kW)
1.9 JTD - 115 bhp (85 kW)
The compact saloon for the future.
Launched at the 2000 Turin International Motor Show. 4.16 meters long and 1.70 meters wide, the Alfa 147 is a beautiful, assured car, with performance, safety systems, equipment and comfort you would expect to find in models from much higher categories. For anyone looking for a compact, sporty car that is as much fun to drive and as comfortable to travel in as the cars that have ensured the success of the brand's latest generation of models.
The stylistic set-up makes many subtle references to stylistic features typical of Alfa Romeo's most recent models. Alongside hints of tradition, such as the V on the bonnet, which tapers under the lights, evoking the classic 6C 2500 Villa d'Este of 1949, and the triptych created by the arrangement of the two separate air inlets and the shield. It has four engines, and the mechanical content more than matches the car's engine and sporting personality. The chassis is derived from the Alfa 156, while there is high dual wishbone suspension at the front, and Mc Pherson at the rear. The Alfa 147 also offers unmatched safety features, both active and passive. In addition to a powerful and modulated braking system, the car boasts not only ABS, but also a range of sophisticated electronic devices such as the system for distributing breaking force between the front and rear wheels (EBD), the system for limiting skidding when accelerating (ASR), the system for regulating torque when moving down the gears (MSR), and the dynamic stability control on bends (VDC).
Alfa 147 five-door
The same character, the same style but with two extra doors. 2001 sees the completion of the Alfa 147 range with the five door. This version offers greater versatility and practicality, but still retains the personality and style of the 3-door. Stylistically the five-door adopts a solution that becomes an exclusive style feature: the black rear door handle is flush with the frame of the window. This stratagem means that the visual focal point remains the front handle, thus conjuring up an image of a sporting coupé. The version is available with CONNECT, a sophisticated on-board IT system, available in three levels which include an RDS car-radio with CD player.
The GTA
YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 2002
ENGINE: 3179 cc
POWER OUTPUT: kW 184 - 250 bhp-CEE at 6200 rpm - peak torque 300 Nm (30.6 kgm) at 4800 rpm.
TOP SPEED: 250 Km/hr
"Pure sportivity is reborn and is evolving".
The essence of evolved sportivity, the GTA (Gran Turismo Aleggerita) returns in 2002, in the 147, 156 and 156 Sportwagon. The strong, muscular forms and aggressive style of the bodywork convey all the character of a sporting thoroughbred, while retaining the character of the basic versions. The thrilling performance provided by a 250 bhp engine, roadholding that keeps the car glued to the road and an improved braking system all increase driving pleasure with a strong element of safety. The GTA has special style details, top-quality equipment, and exclusive colors and form. From the 156 wagon and saloon, to the compact 147, the GTA models offer a range of cars that meet different needs for power and character. For those who want sportiness without making sacrifices.
RACES
2000
Since its debut in 1998, the 156 and the Nordauto Team have chalked up a series of successes. In 2000, car and Team win the European Super Touring Cup (Euro STC) with 5 victories, 2 pole positions, 3 fastest laps and 7 podium finishes.
2001
In 2001 Alfa Romeo Nordauto comes first in the FIA European Touring Car Championship. The Team claims the constructors title and Fabrizio Giovanardi leads the driver's championship, with Nicola Larini in second place.
2002
Once again in the 2002 season, Alfa Romeo with the Nordauto GTA Racing team and in collaboration with N.Technology, has thrilled its fans with yet another first in the FIA European Touring Car Championship. 10 races on the most famous circuits in Europe. On the track, the undoubted star of the show was the Alfa 156 GTA. Always there at the finish line, for an unbroken series of victories and pole positions. Accompanied by the enthusiasm of the fans in the stands. GTA: the legend goes on. And in 2002 it has reached prestigious new heights.
PERSONALITIES
Fabrizio Giovanardi
Fabrizio Giovanardi was born in Sassuolo (MO) on 14/12/1966. He begins Kart racing in 1983, and in 1986 joins the top karting category 125 (Formula C) and becomes Italian and World Champion. In 1987 he begins his Formula 3 career, claiming a third and fifth place. In 1992 he wins the Italian Speed Touring Championship with Peugeot. In 1995 he becomes an official Alfa Romeo driver and takes part in the Italian Supertouring Championship, finishing third. In 1997, still with Alfa Romeo, he finishes second in the Championship, claiming 5 victories and the most pole positions. In 1998 and 1999 he wins the Italian Supertouring Championship in an Alfa 156. In 2000, in an Nordauto Alfa 156, he wins the European Super Touring Cup (Euro STC) with 5 victories, 2 pole positions, 3 fastest laps and 7 podium finishes, while in 2001 he takes the FIA European Touring Car Championship. He also wins the prestigious Autosprint "Casco d'Oro" (Golden Crash Helmet) award. Fabrizio Giovanardi is the driver with the most wins in the Super Touring category.
THE COMPANY
The last stages of Alfa Romeo's history are on today's roads. But the sporting spirit that has always been part of Alfa Romeo's DNA comes to the fore once again in the next, much anticipated GTA version of the Alfa 156 and the Sportwagon. The legend lives on.
Historical information obtained from www.alfaromeo.com