Spy Video: Alfa Romeo 159 GTA mule spotted at the Nurburgring
Click above to watch the spy video of the Alfa 159 GTA
Alfa Romeo has been turning out some impossibly beautiful cars. Unfortunately, most of the line-up is lacking the grunt to back up its killer looks, with the 8C Competizione floating beyond reproach atop the range and a huge gap down to the standard production models. Alfa is apparently looking to bridge that gap, however, with the 159 GTA.
In the video after the jump, you'll see footage of a 159 decked out with enormous AMG Black Series-style vents and four squat tailpipes from which you can clearly hear a monstrous engine resonate. The test mule, spotted near the Nurburgring in Germany, looks like a further development of the one spied last summer. Although curiously, rather than wearing camouflage, it's all decked out in big Alfa Romeo decals as if to scream "look at me" in true Italian supercar fashion. Initial reports suggested the GTA could get a slightly detuned version of the V8 found in the Ferrari F430, although either the 4.2-liter V8 from the Maserati GranTurismo and Quattroporte or the 4.7-liter unit from the 8C and GranTurismo S (both of which were also developed by Ferrari) would probably be the safer bet. Either way, the Italians are putting the likes of the Audi RS4, BMW M3, Lexus IS-F and Mercedes C63 AMG on notice, while the prospect of similar power for the Brera and Spider hangs in the balance. Follow the jump to watch the video.
[Source: autoblog.it]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chewy 7:29PM (3/26/2008)
Yes! send it hear ASAP!
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Franz 7:38PM (3/26/2008)
Sweet. I looks and sounds evil just sitting still.
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GTX141 7:40PM (3/26/2008)
When did Mitsu start building cars for AR?
I mean, the EvoX is cool and all, but.............
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pat 8:20PM (3/26/2008)
GTX141, I think your comment is ignorant! Look at the past models from Alfa and see how it evolved into what it is today compared to other car companies who took their inspiration from Alfa's design.
shiftright 8:55PM (3/26/2008)
Pat is right. If anything Mitsubishi took cues from this car since the 159 was out a couple of years before the Lancer. Not that the Japanese are known for derivative styling or anything like that.
GTX141 10:45PM (3/26/2008)
Wow, didn't mean to get your Italian-lovin panties in a twist pat and shiftright.
Loosen up, you'll live longer.
Flea 7:52PM (3/26/2008)
that engine sounds like distant thunder...DO IT, ALFA!!!
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rip 8:12PM (3/26/2008)
So are those side vents retarded stickers like the homies have?
Or are they useless black plastic dents, er "styling," like all the new American cars have?
Or are they actually useful ducting/brake cooling vents...
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shiftright 8:55PM (3/26/2008)
I would imagine those side vents are functional and very necessary to allow for sufficient engine bay cooling of a high revving aluminum V8.
Flea 8:55PM (3/26/2008)
last time Alfa put side vents on one of their cars was to let air flow more easily to the 8C's 450hp V8.
And the average person would still struggle to recognize them as vents anyway.
Come on, this is Alfa, not Subaru.
If they put vents on something, there's probably a damn good reason for it.
Also consider the Maserati GT, which should have an engine similiar to this one, has side vents as well.
godda9u 11:09AM (3/27/2008)
err... sorry to burst your bubble, but subaru's hood scoop are functional because it got TMIC for its turbo engine. (except for the pre-2000 USDM subaru)
toyota rav4, on the other hand, has non functional hood scoop
porschedevotee 9:29PM (3/26/2008)
Weird... the main article picture reminds me of an RX-8.
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ugg.tryptophan 10:58PM (3/26/2008)
sound!!!
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GTX141 10:47PM (3/26/2008)
Be careful what you say when you mention a Japanese car in here. The Alfa Mafia will put a hit on you like they did on me.
Welcome to the "ignorant" club. We're both new members :)
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k.w.a 11:17PM (3/26/2008)
im not the biggest fan of alfa or anything, but it was a pretty ignorant comment. Alfas are known primarily for having style, so saying the style is copied from someone else ( especially from mitsubishi) is a big slap in the face for them. i dont think anyone hates you, they were just letting you know ;) cheers
Master P 2:09AM (3/27/2008)
No, that was my first thought as well, that it looks just like the new Evo. It's not your fault for not knowing that, it's not like they even sell Alfas in the U.S. anymore.
shiftright 2:22AM (3/27/2008)
GTX141, It wasn't a hit, just a correction. Master P is right: most people in the US know nothing or little about Alfa or its history, so you couldn't have known, and I have nothing against Japanese cars. They make some of the best engineered cars on the planet that are also affordable and extremely reliable. Unfortunately they are too often a little short of flair and individuality. I do like the Evo's looks, though, perhaps for obvious reasons.
ATLien 3:23AM (3/27/2008)
sorry, there's no excuse for ignorance.
GTX141 9:35AM (3/27/2008)
Jesus H, you people need to calm down.
I know the 159 been around since, what, 2005? BUT, with that rear spoiler and black area behind the front wheels, its looks like an X. You know, it IS possible that even almighty Alfa has taken styling cues from someone else. But I'm the ignorant one, so I wouldn't expect you to be able to intellectually stoop down to my level.
Mattias 5:14AM (3/27/2008)
Putting V8s in FIATs makes me remember that guy in my home town you once had a Lancia Thema 8.32.
Yes, that was this bastard that shared body panels with the FIAT Croma, the Saab 9000 and the Alfa 164. They shoehorned a Ferrari 308 V8 that drove the front wheels into the engine bay...
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