Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo GTV Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Alfa-Romeo GTV has a 3179cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The GTV shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the GTV's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1370 kgs (3020 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo GTV shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3179cc 24V V6 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 221 lb-ft (299.6 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alfa-Romeo GTV you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (200.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo GTV.

The Alfa-Romeo GTV has a Power to weight ratio of 175.1 bhp per ton and 161.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 GTV competing with the 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (200.0 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed (200.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alfa-Romeo GTV generating around 161.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1999 Subaru Impreza RB5 - Classic (186.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 BMW 3 Series 335i F30 (186.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso as fast as the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GTV and the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo GTV on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.35 secs @ 95.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA (14.30 secs), the 2006 Bentley Arnage T 6.8 V8 4d Auto (14.30 secs), and the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (14.32 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso has a maximum speed of 158mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 GTV equals the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso then how about the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph), the 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (169 mph), or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph).

Related Links:

1996 GTV Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison