Alfa Romeo GTV6

The Alfa Romeo GTV6, introduced in 1981 as a revision of the Alfetta Sprint GT and Alfetta GTV, arrived with Alfa's new big six cylinder engine stuffed under the hood of a car designed for Alfa's brilliant 4 cylinder. As a result the hood received a bulge to clear the top of the intake plenum on the larger V6 block and became the most pronounced feature of this exciting sport coupe. Since the body was largely a revision of the Giorgietto Giugiaro-designed Alfetta Sprint GT, it retained its wedge-shaped mid-70's lines until the end of production in 1989 (in Europe) and 1986 for North America. The new 6 cylinder engine received rave reviews from the motoring press and found its true home in the GTV6 where it could stretch its legs far better than in the less-sporting Six sedan. During its lifespan the GTV6 went through a number of revisions to gear ratios and received an updated interior for 1984, but it retained its unique rear-mounted transaxle and deDion rear suspension.