Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo GTV 6 2.5 - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo GTV Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo GTV 6 2.5 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.This particular Alfa-Romeo GTV has a 2492cc 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 Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1210 kgs (2667 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo GTV 6 2.5 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo GTV shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2492cc 12V V6 engine produces 158 bhp (117 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 157 lb-ft (212.8 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (170 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 2004 BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 (155.5 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 130.5 bhp per ton and 129.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 GTV competing with the 2004 BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 (155.5 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 (155.5 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 129.7 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 2004 Lotus Elise 111R (154.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Porsche Cayman 2.7 (154.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.1 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo GTV 6 2.5 as fast as the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the or the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs). This Alfa-Romeo GTV 6 2.5 is also faster than the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the and the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (8.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GTV and the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo GTV on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.17 secs @ 84.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo (16.09 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (16.09 secs), and the 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 (16.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1981 version of the Alfa-Romeo GTV 6 2.5 has a maximum speed of 132mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 GTV equals the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Alfa-Romeo GTV 6 2.5 then how about the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), or the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (143 mph).

Related Links:

1981 GTV Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison