Alfa Romeo yesterday launched its new Q2 system on its Alfa GT with the 1,9-litre JTDm powerplant. The Alfa Romeo GT Q2 is available in South Africa at a retail price of R299 000.The Q2 system, in a nutshell, is what Alfa Romeo describes as “a self-locking front differential which incorporates all the strong points of a front-wheel drive system in terms of active safety, increasing driving enjoyment and control, while providing some of the advantages typical of four-wheel drive, but at a significantly lower cost and weight.”
Alfa claims that this system provides maximum control in all driving conditions. A limited slip differential, which splits the torque between the front drive wheels according to road surfaces and driving conditions, is the main element of the Q2 system, which aims to highlight the benefits of front wheel drive. The Q2 system has been developed to increase roadholding, traction and stability, while reducing understeer on acceleration, as well as steering wheel vibration.
The Alfa Romeo GT Q2 is set apart from its other GT siblings through the use of 18-inch alloys, dual chrome exhaust pipes, a satin finish grille, a lower stance, and a Q2 logo on the boot lid.
The instrument panel is lit up with a red background and white lighting, while the seats, steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake have all been decked out in leather with red stitching to give the GT Q2 a sporty appeal. Adding to this appeal are the elusively Q2 high-heel scuff plates, grey anthracite facia trims and aluminium pedals. Controls for the MP3 compatible audio system can be found on the steering wheel, while a Bose® Hi-Fi system with sub-woofer come standard.
The 1,9-litre turbodiesel powerplant under the bonnet of the GT Q2 produces 110 kW at 4 000 r/min and 305 N.m at 2 000 r/min. It takes this car 9,6 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill, and it can carry on until the needle reaches 209 km/h.
Safety and comfort features include six airbags, ABS, EBD, Traction Control, Stability Control, central locking, electric windows, and cruise control.
Other models in the Alfa Romeo GT line-up include the 3,6-litre V6 24 valve that has an output of 176 kW at 6 200 r/min and torque of 300 N.m at 4 800 r/min. The standard 1,9-litre M-Jet turbodiesel has the same 110 kW and 305 N.m as in the GT Q2. All units are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Prices for GT range:
Alfa Romeo GT 1,9 JTDm R286 000
Alfa Romeo GT 1,9 JTDm Q2 R299 000
Alfa Romeo GT 3,2 V6 R342 000
The Alfa GT Q2 has 20 000 km service intervals, and all models come with a three-year 100 000 km warranty (three years on paintwork and five years on rust anti-perforation) as well as a three-year 60 000 km maintenance plan.