1997 changes

In 1997 (Phase 1b) a new engine, a 24-valve 3.0 litre V6, was available for the GTV, The new 24V car also came equipped with a new 16" 5 hole 'teledial' wheel design to provide extra clearance for the larger,305 mm (12.0 in) brakes and red four-pot calipers from Brembo. Further exterior changes were new rear badging 'V6 24V' denoting the fitment of the new engine, and V6 Turbo-sourced front bumper lip with just one intake on the right hand side to allow air flow to front mounted oil cooler. Some versions were upgraded with different front bumper mesh to bring the wind noise down to 74 dBA.

On the interior, pleated leather seats from MOMO were offered in White, Red or Tan. These seats came with respective matching coloured carpet, pleated leather door card inserts as well as optional colour coded stitching around, hand brake, gear lever and the stitching of an all new three-spoke steering wheel. First RHD cars from this generation retained the original, four-spoke, steering wheel.

1998 facelift

In May 1998 the cars were revamped for the first time (Phase 2), mainly the interior was changed with new center console, painted letters on skirt seals, changed controls and switches arrangement and different instrument cluster. On the exterior main changes included chrome frame around the grille and color-coded side skirts and bumpers. A new engine was introduced, the 144 PS (106 kW; 142 hp) 1.8 Twin Spark, and others were changed: the 2.0 Twin Spark was updated with a modular intake manifold with different length intakes and a different plastic cover. Power output of the 2.0 TS was raised to 155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp). Engines changed engine management units and have a nomenclature of CF2. The dashboard was available in two new colours in addition to the standard black: Red Style and Blue Style, and with it new colour-coded upholstery and carpets. 3.0 24V got a six-speed manual gearbox as an optional extra. The 2.0 V6 TB engine was now also available for the Spider. From this generation every V6-engined car had additional air intakes on the lower lip.

2003 facelift

In 2003 a new and last revamp arrived (Phase 3), also designed in Pininfarina but not by Enrico Fumia. Main changes are focused on the front with new 147-style grille and different front bumpers with offset numberplate holder. Change in interior was minimal with different center console and upholstery pattern and colours available. Instrument illumination colour was changed from green to red. Main specification change is an ASR traction control, not available for 2.0 TS Base model. New engines were introduced: 165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) 2.0 JTS with direct petrol injection and 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) 3.2 V6 24V allowing 255 km/h (158 mph) top speed.

By the end of 2004 production ended at Pininfarina's plant. Some cars were still available for purchase until 2006.

• 1996 pre-facelift (phase 1) version.
  James May's car, from the Top Gear cheap Alfa Romeo challenge
• 2001 Alfa Romeo GTV (Phase 2)
• 2003 facelift (phase 3) version

Engines

The engine range included of the GTV and Spider included the in-line 4-cylinder:

• 1.8-litre 16-valve (144 PS (106 kW; 142 hp))
• 2.0-litre 16-valve Twin Spark (150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp))

as well as the V6:

• 2.0-litre 12-valve turbo (200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp))
• 3.0-litre 12-valve (192 PS (141 kW; 189 hp))
• 3.0-litre 24-valve (220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp))
• 3.2-litre 24-valve (240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp)).

The turbocharged 2.0-litre V6, called V6 TB, was developed because of Italy's fiscal policy imposing a higher sales taxes on cars powered by engines with a capacity of more than 2.0-litre. It is basically a sleeved-down version of the 3.0-litre V6 engine. The turbo provided extra power while avoiding the higher tax. Both the 12-valve V6 engines have a redline of about 6,500 rpm, while 16 and 24-valve engines have 7,000 rpm.

The 2.0-litre 16-valve Twin Spark engine of the 2.0 TS model was based on the Fiat SuperFIRE-family block, featuring an Alfa Romeo-developed cylinder head with two spark plugs per cylinder. Variable inlet cam timing, which allowed for 25 degrees of variation, was designed to improve torque and give a more linear power delivery. In addition, this engine has two belt driven balance shafts rotating at twice the engine speed, to eliminate engine vibrations. The base 1.8-litre engine did not feature balance shafts. The TS was the best-selling version of the GTV and Spider. CF2 and CF3 engines have plastic valve cover and variable-length intake manifold.

At its time, the 3.2 V6 24V GTV 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) was fastest road going Alfa Romeo, capable of 0–100 km/h in just over six seconds and a top speed of 255 km/h (158 mph).

The last restyle of the GTV in 2003 saw the introduction of new 4-cylinder engines, in the form of the 2.0-litre JTS, with a power output of 165 PS (121 kW; 163 hp) and featuring direct fuel injection, similar to systems used on diesel engines. The JTS engine uses only one spark plug per cylinder but retained variable-length inlet manifold and variable valve timing on intake camshaft.

Specifications

*performance values for GTV, unless otherwise stated
**top speed with aerokit +5 km/h (3 mph) for all, +10 km/h (6 mph) for 3.0 V6 24V

Fuel economy

*factory data

Equipment

The GTV/Spider was equipped as standard with power steering, driver and passenger airbag, automatic air conditioning, front seatbelt pretensioners, Bosch ABS (with EBD from 1998), electric heated door mirrors, electric frameless windows with one-touch operation for the driver's side, height adjustable headlamps, front and rear foglights, third brake light, fire prevention system, reach and rake adjustable leather clad steering wheel, stitched leather gear knob, an automatic electric aerial, a stereo radio/cassette with six speakers and central locking with Alfa-CODE immobiliser, internal electric release for the bootlid and filler flap. The additional options were: alarm system, passenger-side airbag installation/removal, electric heated seats (GTV only), metallic paint, iridescent paint (only with Lusso trim), leather MOMO seats (only with Lusso trim) and electric sunroof (GTV only). For the Spider some cars could be equipped with an electric hood folding mechanism.

The Lusso was a separate trim rather than an option pack and the standard car was renamed the "Turismo" from "Medio" in the UK. Medio and Lusso trims on phase 1 and 2 cars were available with almost any engine, except for Medio-only 1.8 L TS. Phase 3 cars were divided into Medio-only 2.0 L JTS and Lusso-only 3.2 L V6, also available was "Base" M.Y. 2003 2.0 L TS.

Blue Style and Red Style interiors were available with Lusso trim on Phase 2 and on all Phase 3 cars. Blue Style consisted of blue dashboard and white or blue leather MOMO seats, while Red Style had red dashboard with red or black leather MOMO seats. Rest of the equipment and options remain unchanged. With standard black dashboard there were 4 leather MOMO seat colours to choose from (excluding limited editions): black, red and tan. Also light-grey but only for Spider. On Phase 1 cars the leather MOMO seats were available in 3 colours: red, tan and white.

Technical

All CF3 versions have three catalytic converters installed, two of them at the exhaust manifold. Previous CF1 and CF2 engines had only one catalytic converter.^[14]

The fuel tank has a capacity of 70 litres (18 US gal; 15 imp gal). The battery is located in the boot of the GTV or in the storage compartment behind the seats of the Spider. The optional CD auto changer is located in the boot, and the fuel tank is ahead of the rear axle line, behind the rear seats for increased safety. The power assisted steering has a very high ratio, giving 2.2 turns lock-to-lock. The bonnet and bootlid are supported on nitrogen filled struts. A spacesaver spare wheel was supplied, and there was a no-cost option of an aerosol can of tyre repair sealant. This was a factory standard from 1998 as it increased the usable size of the very small boot to 155 litres (5.5 cu ft).

To save weight the bonnet was made from a composite material called KMC^[15] (composed of polyester and fiberglass, and using epoxi adhesives also), while front wings were made in PUR plastic. At the time, the bonnet was the largest single composite moulding on a production car. When the bonnet is opened, two rectangular Hella headlamps are revealed with separate bulbs for dip and main beam, behind the four round holes in the bonnet. The bodyshell was galvanised with full plastic wheelarch liners and is therefore rustproof. Weight distribution for four cylinder engined car is 61% front/39% rear and for a V6 is 63% front/37% rear^[16]

As would be expected, the GTV has a much more rigid chassis, up to 64% stiffer,^[17] although considerable work was done on the Spider to reduce the traditional convertible problem of scuttle shake. Spider also features a reinforced A-pillars.

Wheels are 15 inch perforated steel as standard, 16 inch teardrop alloy wheels with 205/50 tyres were part of the Lusso option package. From Phase 2 and 3 16 inch teardrop alloy wheels became standard with factory option of 17 inch alloy wheels and 225/45 tyres. Only from Phase 3 (not including earlier limited editions) did Spider receive 17 inch wheels option.

Criticisms of the model have been that it is hard to park due to its large turning circle (11,2 m on most cars) and low seating position, which mean that the end of the bonnet and corners are outside the driver's line of sight. The doors are very long and need plenty of space in a car park.

*from: sales brochures, owners manuals and repair manuals

Suspension

The front suspension utilises a fairly conventional set-up that comprises MacPherson struts, offset coil springs, lower wishbones and an anti-roll bar.

The independent, multiple arm rear suspension comprises quadrilateral geometry with an upper triangle, double lower arms, coil springs and anti-roll bar secured to a light alloy subframe which is, in turn, mounted onto the car's body. The design of this geometry, and the fine tuning of the bushes, is such that during initial stages of a turn, the centrifugal forces create a small 'rear wheel steer' effect in the opposite direction to the way the front wheels are being pointed. Then, as the centrifugal forces build up through the corner, the rear wheels start steering in the same direction as the front wheels. The result is a more positive 'attack' into the first stages of cornering and increased stability in the later stages. This multilink rear suspension was designed by Gianclaudio Travaglio.

Brakes

Cars have disc brakes all round, while most versions had 284 mm (11.2 in) Lucas or ATE system ventilated-discs at the front, some Spiders (1.8 TS and 2.0 TS) had 257 mm (10.1 in) Altecna-system. 3.0 V6 24V GTV and Spider had 305 mm (12.0 in) Brembo-system ventilated-discs with 4-pot calipers painted red with white 'Alfa Romeo" lettering. 3.2 V6 cars had the same 305 mm discs, even though GTA cars were later upgraded to 330 mm. All cars had 240 mm (9.4 in) Lucas-system solid-discs at the back.

*stated by Pininfarina production records
**stated by Robert Foskett: Alfa Romeo 916 GTV and Spider: The Complete Story

Limited editions

There were numerous limited edition GTV and Spider available. All can be categorized into 4 groups: Edizione Sportiva GTV 2001, Special Series 2001, Limited Editions 2002 and Special Series 2004. Almost all have the titanium-like finished center console without the Alfa Romeo script. All Special Series (except for some German-market Edizione Classica) cars have a silver numbered plaque on the side of the center console. All of the cars except for the first have unique version codes. All Spiders have electrically operated hood. All cars are in Lusso-trim equipment. Total numbers for each limited edition vary from as little as 8 or 10 to 419 or 700. Apart from producer sanctioned editions there were also few importer exclusive editions made for particular markets like Australia or Japan.

Alfa GTV Cup

Vivace

Alfa Romeo Vivace Twin cars, coupé and spider, made as a preview of upcoming 916-series. Styled in 1986 by Diego Ottina at Pininfarina with cues from then-ready Alfa Romeo 164.^[26]

Proteo

Alfa 164-based concept from 1991, designed by Walter de Silva with styling cues from then-ready GTV/Spider design.

Vola

Concept car styled by Leonardo Fioravanti in 2000, based on Spider chassis with 3.0 V6 12V engine.

Spider Monoposto