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T H E S P I D E R 2 . 0 T W I N S P A R K E N G I N E
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The GTV Spider’s 1970cc four cylinder engine develops 114kW (155hp) at
6200 rpm and 186Nm at 4000. An interesting engine design,
the DOHC, 4-valves-per-cylinder engine features twin balance
shafts, two plugs per cylinder and variable camshaft timing. The
head is alloy and the block cast iron. The spark plugs are not
fired simultaneously as might be imagined. Instead, the second
plug (offset within the chamber) fires 360 crankshaft degrees
after the main, centrally-mounted plug. This spark at the end of
the exhaust phase reduces the emissions output. The inlet camshaft
phasing is controlled by the ECU, being altered by up to 25
degrees to give full overlap from as low as 1800 rpm. Ninety
percent of peak torque is available from 2500 – 6200 rpm.
The Bosch Motronic M2.10.3 management system controls the
sequential injection, ignition coils, knock control, EGR, camshaft
timing and idle speed. Other tech highlights of the engine include
hydraulic tappets, a water/oil heat exchanger, cast alloy sump and
eight-weight steel crankshaft. Backing the mill is the 5 speed
trans with a 3.562 non-LSD final drive. The gearing is short, with
fifth a 0.946 ratio.
The
engine is an absolute honey. Superbly responsive, the flat torque
curve means that there is always performance on tap. With 114kW
and 1370kg to haul around, the Spider is no road burner (Alfa
claim 0-100 km/h in 8.4 sec. with 2 adults + 20 kg), but performance in any situation is always competent. In
fact it’s often better than competent, the low gearing and
creamy-smooth engine making the power just so useable, whether
you’re exiting a corner in second gear at the 7000 rpm redline or
just cruising in fourth with the top down. This is one engine that shows that Alfa still knows
how to make a fours cylinder engine that are amongst the best in the
world!
The Spider uses MacPherson struts at the front with lower
wishbones and an anti-roll bar. Rear suspension is sophisticated,
with the multi-link design anchored to a die-cast alloy sub-frame.
The rear suspension incorporates some passive rear wheel steering
and is designed to hold the wheels vertical in all cornering
conditions. The front suspension uses just over one degree of
negative camber, while the rear makes do with half of a degree. To
the naked eye it looks to be more than that, though. Steering is
by speed-sensitive rack and pinion with just 2.2 turns lock to
lock. However this figure is a little deceptive because at 10.8 meters, the Spider has a large turning circle, slowing the actual
steering response.
The GTV/Spider chassis
When the current GTV/Spider project began, the instruction’s of Paulo
Cantraella, Chief Executive Officer, Fiat SpA. were plain and simple –
No compromise, especially in the area of roadholding, handling and responsiveness – the latest
GTV/Spider had to be magnifico, nothing less was acceptable.
As a result the GTV/Spider boasts one of the most sophisticated and radical suspension systems of any car in the world.
The front suspension utilises a fairly conventional set-up that comprises MacPherson struts, off set coil springs, lower wishbones and an anti-roll bar. But it is at the rear that Alfa’s engineers have established the unit that accounts for the car’s limpet-like grip on the road.
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 vehicle’s monocoque body.
The design of this geometry, and the fine tuning of the suspension bushes, is such that in the 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.THE SPECIFICATIONS
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2.0 T.SPARK 16V |
3.0 V6 24V |
No. of
cylinders, arrangement |
4 in line, front transverse |
6 in V 60° |
Capacity
(cc) |
1970 |
2959 |
Compression
ratio |
10 : 1 |
10 : 1 |
Max. power
output bhp-EC (kW-EC) at rpm |
155 (114) 6200 |
220 (162) 6300 |
Peak torque kgm-EC (Nm-EC) at rpm |
19 (186) 4000 |
27.5 (270) 5000 |
Timing gear |
DOHC with electrohydraulic variable valve timing on the intake side
camshaft, driven by the control unit |
DOHC for each bank |
Fuel
feed |
Bosch Motronic M 2.10.3 Multipoint electronic injection |
Bosch Motronic M 3.7.1 Multipoint electronic injection
with electronic throttle valve |
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (12 V) |
|
|
Battery:
capacity (Ah) |
70 |
70 |
Generator
(A) |
100 |
120 |
TRANSMISSION |
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|
1st |
3.545 :
1 |
3.8 :
1 |
2nd |
2.238 :
1 |
2.235 :
1 |
3rd |
1.52 :
1 |
1.52 :
1 |
4th |
1.156 :
1 |
1.156 :
1 |
5th |
0.946 :
1 |
0.914 :
1 |
Reverse |
3.909 :
1 |
3.545 :
1 |
Final
drive |
3.562 : 1
(16/57) |
3.353 : 1
(17/57) |
TYRES |
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|
|
205/50 R16 |
205/50 R16 |
STEERING |
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|
System |
rack and pinion with power steering |
rack and pinion with power steering |
Turning
circle between kerbs (m) |
11.2 |
11.4 |
SUSPENSION |
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Front |
independent, MacPherson type, with lower wishbones and
anti-roll bar |
Rear |
independent, quadrilateral with upper
triangle, twin
lower links, false steer, coil springs, hydraulic dampers and anti-roll
bar |
BRAKING
SYSTEM |
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|
|
Discs front
and rear, with floating calipers, vacuum servo. Pedal control
with twin-line diagonally linked hydraulic circuit; pressure regulating
valve on wheels and anti-lock braking (ABS standard) |
Discs
with fixed calipers at front and floating calipers at rear with vacuum
servo. Pedal control with twin-line diagonally linked hydraulic
circuit; pressure regulating valve on wheels and anti-lock braking (ABS
standard) |
Front (mm)
ventilated |
284 |
305 |
Rear
(mm) |
240 |
240 |
BODYWORK – DIMENSIONS |
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|
No. of
doors |
2 |
2 |
Length/width
(mm) |
4285/1780 |
4285/1780 |
Height
(mm) |
1318 |
1318 |
Wheelbase (mm) |
2540 |
2540 |
Front/rear track (mm) |
1499/1487 |
1508/1530 |
Luggage
compartment (dm3) |
150 |
150 |
SUPPLIES – WEIGHTS |
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|
Fuel tank (litres) |
70 |
70 |
Kerb weight
DIN (kg) |
1370 |
1415 |
PERFORMANCE – CONSUMPTION |
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|
Top speed
(km/h) |
215 |
240+ |
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (secs) |
8.4 |
6.7 |
Consumption
(l/100 km) |
at 90 kph |
6.2 |
7.9 |
at 120 kph |
7.8 |
9.8 |
Urban cycle |
10.4 |
14.6 |
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