30 Jun 04
We've only a few small criticisms of the GTA's on-road repertoire - first, though quick and accurate and decently weighted, the steering feels dead, and second, the brakes feel a bit numb too, demanding that you concentrate more than you'd expect to apply the right amount of slowing down. And at cruising speeds - and no, we don't mean 130 mph - there's a little more wind rustle than you'd expect. But they're not serious criticisms, these. Overall, this Alfa is so quick, so composed and so willing that, like we said at the beginning, you just won't want to get out.
But there are a few disappointments. Even in moderately bright light it's almost impossible to read the messages displayed in the small screen on top of the dashboard, which doesn't bode well for the usability of the more sophisticated Connect option shortly to become available. Then there are the airvents, which cannot quite be aimed at your face because their hinges don't articulate sufficiently, and the fact that on the test cars at least, the sill extensions ahead of the rear wheels seemed distressingly vulnerable to stone-chipping. Some of the front seat trim was coming adrift too, while we're complaining about quality. More fundamental drawbacks are the limited rear seat legroom, and the Alfa's fuel consumption, which is edging towards the dipsomaniac if you get keen, sinking well the wrong side of 20 mpg.
For all that, the GTA is a beguiling car. Easily the most credible and capable sports model Alfa has built since the strange SZ, it convincingly re-establishes the company as a major player in the performance car market. More importantly, it's a great drive, and a sophisticated one to boot. The standard 156 has always been a capable car, but has never had quite the depth of abilities that the best BMWs can muster. The GTA, however, changes that. Fuel consumption apart, it makes a very sound buy, if you can muster the £26-£27,000 Alfa is asking.
