ALFA 147 2.4 JTD
TRIUMPHS AT NURBURGRING
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The Nurburgring 24-hour race held on 1 June is a long, arduous
German race reserved for cars (petrol and diesel) of different power
ratings, some even higher than 600 bhp. These included a brand-new
Alfa 147 powered by a 150 bhp 2.4 JTD paired with a six-speed manual
gearbox.
The prototype saw off a fearsome collection of adversaries including
official teams and expert private teams to triumph in its category.
This success was crowned by an excellent 19th position in the overall
rankings. The compact Alfa Romeo car beat the second diesel by no
fewer than six laps.
The team was made up of Alfa Romeo mechanics working for the German
147 CUP (single-brand competition reserved for diesels). The team
was made up three drivers who took it in turns to drive over the
24 hours: Stefan Neuberger, Manfred Theisen, and Raimund Bauschlager.
Our tight, winning team was able to count on a reliable, responsive
and powerful model, as borne out by the performance figures recorded
over the Nurburgring circuit: the car covered 3243 kilometres in
125 laps at an average speed of 136 km/h. Its best time for one
lap was 10 minutes and 27 seconds.
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THE NEW TI RANGE
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TI stands for
Turismo Internazionale, the acronym that Alfa Romeo used to assign
only to its most sportingly equipped cars. Such cars were derived
from standard production models that underwent styling changes and
mechanical changes to create thoroughbred sports cars that could still
be driven on ordinary roads. Today those two simple yet glorious letters
are making a comeback on Alfa Romeo cars.
The code stands for a sports kit available on the Alfa Romeo range
that guarantees quality and is evidence that changes have been made
in the factory Cars bearing the TI logo are targeted at young, sporty
drivers and offer greater driving satisfaction, more handling and
more braking capacity In other words, the dynamic behaviour of a car
that spices your everyday driving experience with racetrack sensation.
All in all, a car for those who demand the very best when it comes
to sportiness. And want it to be known without ostentation. Hence
the styling decision not to change the exterior shape of the standard
production cars too radically but limit the changes to a few features
without resorting to flashy spoilers or other add-ons. >From the
outside, the cars are still recognisable but simply look meaner with
a more vice-like grip on the road. This effect is aided by wide tyres,
alloy wheels and sideskirts. Inside, a TI interior can be identified
by the leather, sports configuration seats plus the leather-trimmed
steering wheel and gear knob. More sporty touches are added by the
sill plate and the black facia, ceiling and mats. All these parts
vary according to the model.
Cars, in other words, that thrill and give authentic driving gratification
during everyday use. Cars that represent the purest distillate of
brand values and are the ambassadors of that particular form of elegant
sportiness that has made us famous the world over. The new TI kit
is the right choice for customers who want to enter the sporting world
of Alfa Romeo where the topmost rung is occupied by the GTA family:
Italian-style on-road vehicles, powerful and safe with cutting-edge
technology to assure maximum satisfaction and peak driving control
at all times.
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