True, this is the quintessence of the spirit but not the letters! To be precise, in this case the index of GTA is not quite correct. The fact that this GT - Grand Turismo, - no doubt. The problem with the letter "A". When at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1965 was first broadcast sports car Alfa Giulia GTA, "A" meant "allegderita", which in Italian - "lite". It was true. Unlike the "base" model (Giulia GT), Julie GTA used a lot of parts from magnesium and aluminum alloys. A current Alfa 156 GTA, 125 kg heavier than the popular "civilian" version with a two-liter motor! But let's not pedants. The most important thing - the spirit?

Those who have already had occasion to ride on the "one hundred fifty-sixth" Alpha, throw up his eyebrows: could this spirit had not enough? Of course, 250 power under the hood of GTA - this is not the Alpha 165 for a new two-liter engine and not even on the Alpha 192 with a V6 engine of 2.5 liters. But does anyone accused Alf of unsporting behavior? Do not alfovskie engineers developed this gorgeous pendant? Did not Alfa 156 has won the title in 1998 Car of the Year?

"We still believe that the Alfa 156 - the standard of a successful balance between sporty temperament and comfort. But we are Italians, and if some sort of dish you already seem sharp enough, we are not averse to experiment with spices." Having said that, my neighbor at the dinner table, an engineer from alfovskoy team to flavor my noodles with something like ground pepper. I was not very hungry, but now had to eat up all of this and, of course, say that it was delicious.

Let's start with the entourage. The wheels on the GTA - 17-inch and, of course, only on alloy wheels - or "spitsovannyh", or with five large holes (the latter I like more - it's "brand" design for the 156th Alpha). Respectively, have become more and discs: the diameter of the front increased to 305 mm and the rear - up to 276. Fog strongly shifted to the sides, and this is also a reason: increased airflow to the cooling system. Feeling "sporty" reinforce a more expressive sill, emphasizing that the machine is more pressed to the ground. Modified and rear bumper, including the aerodynamic purpose. Rounding out the picture of the two chrome-plated "exhaust" the bell.

Interior metal framing completed "wells" speedometer and tachometer, new - of course, three-spoke - "multifunction" steering wheel, aluminum plates on the center console and the "pedestal" gear lever. Aluminum, rubber-studded bumps, made all the pedals and knobs, and an area for rest the left foot.

Well turned out. This fully applies to both sedan and wagon to (Alfa 156 GTA comes in two guises.)

But this is not important. And do not even marked up to 300 km / h speedometer, not spectacular ryavkane powerful alfovskoy "six", not acceleration ... I leaf through the press materials describing the new machine and see the chapter "How to drive a car." On two pages! I have never met: after all, at such events usually invite journalists not only rights but also with specific skills ... Carefully read. In general, the set of "front wheel" rules. Throttle - and in turn zanyrivaesh, and the output gas added, preventing the development of skidding. But the ulterior motive of all this media once again decided to recall.

You will recall that the Alfa Romeo 156 - the car with a record low for mass-produced cars gear ratio steering - 13.7? In other words, when you turn the steering wheel is 13.7 degrees front wheels turn at one degree, and from lock to lock steering wheel makes only two turns. Try to compare it with their car if fitted with hydraulic steering, the gear ratio is usually between 15 and 16 and between the two extreme positions of the steering wheel makes two and a half to three and a half turns. So, alfovtsy decided that version of GTA ratio 13.7 is still not enough not enough, and "aggravated" driving even more: 11.3! From lock to lock - only 1.75 Traffic! That is, the hands can be easily "glued" to the steering wheel: their shift will not even have a "parking" mode, not to mention all the others. But what a feeling the car, what confidence, that any time you send the front wheel exactly where you want to! The most surprising is that even with the Alfa GTA, so no roar of "civilian" version, does not tire nervous reactions, does not hold a driver on their toes. Amazing balance!

Yet behind the wheel of GTA can not relax. Here's what else is written in the "instruction" of the driving: "When working on a version of GTA engineers managed to avoid at all typical of front wheel drive cars understeer. Professional rally driver recognized that the behavior of the car perfectly balanced: on corner entry - oversteer, understeer and the degree of output is easily controlled accelerator. " That's it! But to feel the line between work tires "at the disposal of" frank and slip me at first was not easy. Although the feeling that "everything is under control," did not leave for a second. Management, including through the gas, it is intuitively clear: the reaction machine unambiguous and predictable. And the only thing that sometimes provoke errors. It's ... namely the "short" steering! When the output of the rotation needed to repay the bank, I, again intuitively, "twist" the steering wheel, allowing the secondary oscillation. Is not very nice. Just do not have time to get used to.

Ignite is Alfa? Not a word! Did? Of course! But the question is ... I want to turn every bend in the nerve tickling ride? Not exhausted if I have this endless game gas? Do I have so much adrenaline? You say, and that hinders the ring was tired, just slow down and drive like a human? That way? I prevent this motor-provocateur with unparalleled sound alfovskim I prevent this incredible drive, preventing these "metal" pedals, the Short-lever six-speed, the bucket seats ... Prevents me that it's Alpha, finally! Just try, go and get a pretty damn woman, make her boring conversation about how you honor the sacred adultery, tell her about the decline in morals of today's youth, the dangers of AIDS and about healthy lifestyles. And do not forget to mention that you always observe the traffic rules, especially speed limits. Will not last long acquaintance. So it is with Alpha. If you're helluva lot right, you better pick yourself another car. And if hochsh, so the whole hog ...

But that's what a good idea to remember. Yes, the "intuitive" response vehicle that are so proud of alfovskie engineers - a great thing. But according to the materialists, intuition is the subconscious analysis of lessons learned. And the more that experience, the less intuition fails. Perhaps no other car tried to convince me of this as the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA.