[GTV116]

Dear TZ
There is no such thing (as Alfa spirit) for the last 34 years.The last example that carried elements of Alfa's spirit was the 116 series (Alfetta and it's derivates.Transaxle's addoption in search of ideal weight distribution for the first time on a car of the medium category.A solution that we can find nowdays only on supercars).Fiat's era Alfas although of much better built quality were (and still are) technically rather compromised or dull cars(with the exception of pininfarina's gtv and 156 suspension layout and Busso's V6 continuous evolution.Neverthteless you can't claim that Gta's- be they 156 or 147 - are real supercars.Modest power output with lots of understeer).
Unfortunately times are changing.In nowdays the vast majority of Alfa's clientele has no clue about Alfa's glorious past and history and Fiat knows that very well.The serious problem with Fiat's policy is it's persistence to create a complete range for Alfa with German built quality (Fiat's Achille's heel).And that proved a wild goose chase for Fiat which in the meantime desregardered it's cars individual charachteristics (what you call Alfa's spirit).Alfa should create niche models (for example a medium class berlina and on it's shortened wheellbase floorpan a coupe/spider).That's the only way for Alfa to remain a synonymous of sport's car maker while at the same time will be profitable for Fiat.
Just to consider yourself lucky, see what Fiat's policy -in an attempt to help Alfa's reduced sales and to increase Alfa's share in the italian market- did to Lancia.
I had a short test with the 159 and i can assure you about Alfa's dominance over the german opposition in terms of comfort and ride quality.Do you believe it?As for the engines why would you want a petrol (even a V6) since you can have the superb multijets?
Times are changing maybe so should we?