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16 April 2003: The latest versions of Alfa Romeo's GTV and Spider sports cars will be available in Ireland in June, at a price not yet determined but expected to be not too far different from the outgoing model.

The essential shape of the car hasn't been interfered with, but there are significant changes to the front grille, which is larger in the style of the 147, and the numberplate has been shifted to the side as in the distinctive front of the 156.

The seating position has been changed to provide more room for taller people, and the suspension characteristics have also been modified to provide for a more comfortable ride.

The engines have also been changed, with a more powerful 2-litre and the 3.2-litre V6 unit currently used in the 156 GTA available at the top end. This latter is the fastest-ever Alfa Romeo, yet is so flexible that it can pull away smoothly from an engine speed as low as 400rpm.

Alfa GTVs and Spiders are built by Pininfarina, whose association with Alfa goes back to the design house's own beginnings in the early 30s.

There are currently around 75,000 GTV owners worldwide. The Spider name has been in existence since 1955, with the most famous version being the 1966 Duetto used by Dustin Hoffman in the movie 'The Graduate'. The 1995 Spider was the first Alfa to be completely built by Pininfarina.

The changes are part of an ongoing upgrading of the Alfa models, which will include a significant upgrade to the 156 for Ireland in September, probably the last before the car's successor on GM's Epsilon platform in 2005.

That will also be the year that Alfa Romeo returns to the US market.

In Ireland, about 25 of the outgoing GTV/Spider were sold last year, against around 40 the year before. Its key competitors have included the BMW Z3, now replaced by the Z4.

The Alfa brand has been performing well all over Europe, increasing market share in most. A major revamp of the dealership branding is now under way, with a target to have all of them changed by 2005.

	April 2003 - by Brian Byrne
Latest Alfa GTV, Spider, here in June 16 April 2003: The latest versions of Alfa Romeo's GTV and Spider sports cars will be available in Ireland in June, at a price not yet determined but expected to be not too far different from the outgoing model. The essential shape of the car hasn't been interfered with, but there are significant changes to the front grille, which is larger in the style of the 147, and the numberplate has been shifted to the side as in the distinctive front of the 156. The seating position has been changed to provide more room for taller people, and the suspension characteristics have also been modified to provide for a more comfortable ride. The engines have also been changed, with a more powerful 2-litre and the 3.2-litre V6 unit currently used in the 156 GTA available at the top end. This latter is the fastest-ever Alfa Romeo, yet is so flexible that it can pull away smoothly from an engine speed as low as 400rpm. Alfa GTVs and Spiders are built by Pininfarina, whose association with Alfa goes back to the design house's own beginnings in the early 30s. There are currently around 75,000 GTV owners worldwide. The Spider name has been in existence since 1955, with the most famous version being the 1966 Duetto used by Dustin Hoffman in the movie 'The Graduate'. The 1995 Spider was the first Alfa to be completely built by Pininfarina. The changes are part of an ongoing upgrading of the Alfa models, which will include a significant upgrade to the 156 for Ireland in September, probably the last before the car's successor on GM's Epsilon platform in 2005. That will also be the year that Alfa Romeo returns to the US market. In Ireland, about 25 of the outgoing GTV/Spider were sold last year, against around 40 the year before. Its key competitors have included the BMW Z3, now replaced by the Z4. The Alfa brand has been performing well all over Europe, increasing market share in most. A major revamp of the dealership branding is now under way, with a target to have all of them changed by 2005.
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