GT range gets a five-speed and a $10K price cut

Alfa Romeo has announced a new entry-level GT. The new model arrives with a five-speed manual gearbox, 2.0-litre 121kW four-cylinder engine and a kick-off price of $52,990. This is a massive saving on the $64,950 pricing of the Selespeed-equipped JTS previously offered.

Dubbed the Alfa Romeo GT JTS, the new model is positioned as a more practical sports coupe, reckons Alfa. According to Alfa, it complements the newer Brera (more here) , in that the GT offers five seats and a "spacious" boot, while the Brera "is very much the sportscar of the range, with its 2+2 seating and snug interior".

"With the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Brera, we needed to provide the Alfa GT with a new position -- one that emphasises its differences and which enhances its value for money," explained local Alfa chief, David Stone.

"To this end we have made some minor changes to the equipment in the JTS version and added the manual variant, the combination of which is to provide an exciting new entry-level price for the Alfa GT and to modify Selespeed's price to make it even more attractive."

The Alfa Romeo GT range now comprises three models, the newly launched Alfa Romeo GT JTS manual at $52,990, the Alfa Romeo GT JTS Selespeed at $55,990 (was $64,950) and the range-topping Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6 -- now $10,000 cheaper at $69,990 RRP.

The JTS's engine is a variant of the direct-injection petrol unit used in the 159. In gives the coupe a top speed of 216km/h and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 8.7sec. Combined fuel consumption is 8.7lt/100 km.

Standard equipment includes stability control and ABS brakes, six airbags, 17-inch alloys, power windows, remote central locking, dual-zone aircon, leather, premium audio, trip computer, and cruise control.

In comparison to the V6 GT range-topper, the main items the JTS misses out on are six-speed gearbox, heated front seats, Xenon headlights with headlight washers and 18-inch wheels.

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