The Alfa Romeo Spider and Alfa Romeo GTV were based on the then-current Fiat Group platform, called Tipo (Italian for 'type') 2,in this case a heavily modified version with an all new multilink rear suspension which allowed passive rear steering to help reduce understeer. The front suspension, engine, gearbox and drive was based on the 1992 - launched 155 saloon. For engines, the 1.8 16V (144 PS (142 hp/105.9 kW)) and 2.0 16v Twin Spark (150 PS (147.9 hp/110.3 kW)) were available along with a turbocharged 2.0 V6 that produced 202 PS (199.2 hp/148.6 kW) or a 3.0 V6 in either 12 (192 PS (189.4 hp/141.2 kW)) or 24 valves (220 PS (217 hp/161.8 kW)) and finally a 3.2 V6 24 valve.
The 2.0 V6, called V6 TB, was developed because of an Italian law that put an extra sales tax on cars with engines larger than two litres. It is basically a sleeved-down version of the three litre V6. The turbo was added for extra power while avoiding the tax.
When new the 3.0 V6 24V was the fastest production Alfa Romeo with a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h). The 3.2 V6 24V GTV 240 PS (236.7 hp/176.5 kW) is currently fastest Stradale Alfa Romeo (introduced on the 2003 Alfa Romeo GTVs), capable of 0-60 mph in just over six seconds and a top speed of 158 mph (254 km/h).
The 2.0 V6, called V6 TB, was developed because of an Italian law that put an extra sales tax on cars with engines larger than two litres. It is basically a sleeved-down version of the three litre V6. The turbo was added for extra power while avoiding the tax.
When new the 3.0 V6 24V was the fastest production Alfa Romeo with a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h). The 3.2 V6 24V GTV 240 PS (236.7 hp/176.5 kW) is currently fastest Stradale Alfa Romeo (introduced on the 2003 Alfa Romeo GTVs), capable of 0-60 mph in just over six seconds and a top speed of 158 mph (254 km/h).
The 2.0 16v Twin Spark engine gives up to 35 mpg-imp (8.1 L/100 km; 29 mpg-US).It has variable inlet cam timing, giving 25 degrees of variation to improve torque and give a more linear power delivery. The TS engine has a belt driven balance shaft to improve the smoothness of the engine. The TS was the best-selling version of the Alfa Romeo GTV in the UK.
The last restyle of the Alfa Romeo GTV in 2003 also introduced the 2.0 JTS (165 PS (162.7 hp/121.4 kW)) engine, which uses direct injection, in a similar way to a diesel engine. This engine uses only one spark plug per cylinder and has a variable-length inlet manifold to improve torque at low revs.
To save weight the bonnet, inner and outer front wings and bumpers were made from a composite material called KMC.At the time, the bonnet was the largest single composite moulding on a production car. When the bonnet is opened, two rectangular Hella headlamps are revealed with separate bulbs for dip and main beam, behind the four round holes in the bonnet.
The 916 was equipped as standard with power steering, twin airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, Bosch ABS, electric heated door mirrors, electric frameless windows with one-touch operation for the driver's side, height adjustable headlamps, front foglamps, reach and rake adjustable leather clad steering wheel, stitched leather gear knob, an automatic electric aerial,a Clarion face-off stereo with six speakers and central locking.
An alarm system and immobiliser was fitted with remote locking/unlocking. The bodyshell was galvanised with full plastic wheelarch liners and is therefore rustproof.
The only additional options were the Lusso pack, metallic paint and electric sunroof.
Details included a one-piece rear lamp/foglamp/indicator strip across the rear of the body, internal electric release for the bootlid and filler flap, the minor instruments in the centre console angled towards the driver. At its launch, many journalists commented that Alfa had improved overall build quality considerably and that it came very close to equalling its German rivals. The fuel tank has a capacity of 70 litres (18 US gal; 15 imp gal). The battery, CD autochanger and fuel tank are located in the boot, and the tank is ahead of the rear axle line, behind the rear seats for increased safety. The power assisted steering has a very high ratio, giving 2.2 turns lock-to-lock. The bonnet and bootlid are supported on nitrogen filled struts.
Criticisms of the model have been that it is hard to park due to its large turning circle and low seating position, which mean that the end of the bonnet and corners are outside the driver's line of sight. The doors are very long and need plenty of space in a car park, and the boot is very small at only 3.8 cubic feet (0.11 m3), made worse if the spacesaver wheel is included. There are also commonly electrical problems.Contrary to rumors in well maintained cars there are relatively few mechanical problems.
The top of the range (3.0 and 3.2 litre) versions have three mufflers and four catalytic converters installed at the factory on the CF3 engine and onwards (2001-), which result in a somewhat muted sound. Common aftermarket alterations to the exhaust system are straight pipe replacements for some of the mufflers (usually leaving only a single or double muffler), twin tailpipes (which require modifications to the rear bumper), stainless steel systems and replacing the standard cats with race cats or even cat replacement pipes (on the CF3 these replacement pipes do not give lambda engine light warnings). Additional modifications include the popular air filter replacement by BMC CDA, fitting Alfa Romeo GTA cams, etc. Modifications such as these completely change the sound produced by the Arese V6 and are said by some to rival the engine note of Italian V8 engines.
The last restyle of the Alfa Romeo GTV in 2003 also introduced the 2.0 JTS (165 PS (162.7 hp/121.4 kW)) engine, which uses direct injection, in a similar way to a diesel engine. This engine uses only one spark plug per cylinder and has a variable-length inlet manifold to improve torque at low revs.
To save weight the bonnet, inner and outer front wings and bumpers were made from a composite material called KMC.At the time, the bonnet was the largest single composite moulding on a production car. When the bonnet is opened, two rectangular Hella headlamps are revealed with separate bulbs for dip and main beam, behind the four round holes in the bonnet.
The 916 was equipped as standard with power steering, twin airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, Bosch ABS, electric heated door mirrors, electric frameless windows with one-touch operation for the driver's side, height adjustable headlamps, front foglamps, reach and rake adjustable leather clad steering wheel, stitched leather gear knob, an automatic electric aerial,a Clarion face-off stereo with six speakers and central locking.
An alarm system and immobiliser was fitted with remote locking/unlocking. The bodyshell was galvanised with full plastic wheelarch liners and is therefore rustproof.
The only additional options were the Lusso pack, metallic paint and electric sunroof.
Details included a one-piece rear lamp/foglamp/indicator strip across the rear of the body, internal electric release for the bootlid and filler flap, the minor instruments in the centre console angled towards the driver. At its launch, many journalists commented that Alfa had improved overall build quality considerably and that it came very close to equalling its German rivals. The fuel tank has a capacity of 70 litres (18 US gal; 15 imp gal). The battery, CD autochanger and fuel tank are located in the boot, and the tank is ahead of the rear axle line, behind the rear seats for increased safety. The power assisted steering has a very high ratio, giving 2.2 turns lock-to-lock. The bonnet and bootlid are supported on nitrogen filled struts.
Criticisms of the model have been that it is hard to park due to its large turning circle and low seating position, which mean that the end of the bonnet and corners are outside the driver's line of sight. The doors are very long and need plenty of space in a car park, and the boot is very small at only 3.8 cubic feet (0.11 m3), made worse if the spacesaver wheel is included. There are also commonly electrical problems.Contrary to rumors in well maintained cars there are relatively few mechanical problems.
The top of the range (3.0 and 3.2 litre) versions have three mufflers and four catalytic converters installed at the factory on the CF3 engine and onwards (2001-), which result in a somewhat muted sound. Common aftermarket alterations to the exhaust system are straight pipe replacements for some of the mufflers (usually leaving only a single or double muffler), twin tailpipes (which require modifications to the rear bumper), stainless steel systems and replacing the standard cats with race cats or even cat replacement pipes (on the CF3 these replacement pipes do not give lambda engine light warnings). Additional modifications include the popular air filter replacement by BMC CDA, fitting Alfa Romeo GTA cams, etc. Modifications such as these completely change the sound produced by the Arese V6 and are said by some to rival the engine note of Italian V8 engines.
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