Review of the new Alfa Romeo GT Cloverleaf Range

The Alfa GT Cloverleaf edition has been designed to reflect the Italian manufacturer's rich sporting traditions. This means a host of changes to the car's styling both inside and outside to give it a sporty and aggressive feel.

Alfa Romeo's Alfa GT Cloverleaf is a sportier version of the Alfa GT, built to reflect the Italian manufacturer's racing heritage. The basic GT model was a design collaboration between Alfa Romeo and automotive designer Bertone and this GT Cloverleaf version features a more advanced level of equipment and a sportier, more refined look and feel.

Legend has it that shortly before the 1923 Targa Florio motor race in Sicily, Alfa Romeo driver Udo Sivocci found a four leaf clover by the roadside. Hoping for good luck, he persuaded his team to paint a Cloverleaf symbol on his Alfa Romeo RL. Sure enough, he won the race, scoring Alfa Romeo's first major international victory and from that day on, the Cloverleaf symbol has appeared on Alfa Romeo racing cars around the world. Away from the racetrack, the Cloverleaf badge has appeared on a number of memorable Alfa Romeo models of the past as well as the flagship of the current range, the 8C Competizione.

There is a choice of four engine variants with the GT Cloverleaf range; two petrol and two diesel. All come with a six speed manual gearbox. Of the petrol engines, the entry level is the 1.8TS, giving 140bhp and capable of the 0 to 62mph sprint in 10.6 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. For an extra £1,000, there's the 2.0JTS direct injection engine which reaches 62mph from standing in 8.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 134mph. Performance from the 2.0-litre JTS engine is punchy, but it's the 1.9JTDM V6 powerplant that is the star of the show here.

For those who prefer diesel power, the 1.9JTDM comes with either 150bhp (0 to 62 in 9.6 seconds, top speed 134) or 170bhp (0 to 62 in 8.2 seconds, top speed 134mph). The 225lb/ft of torque means that it feels almost comically powerful in the mid range for such a modestly-sized engine. The 170bhp variant also comes with the Alfa-developed Q2 limited slip differential which means you'll be able to jink the GT around corners with virtually zero hesitation. The VDC stability control system is probably the second best in the whole car industry after Porsche's PSM in the way that it allows a little bit of fun before gently and reassuringly reverting things to a keel more even. Multilink rear suspension and double wishbone front suspension gives the Cloverleaf good road holding and a smooth ride.

"Alfa Romeo's Cloverleaf GT looks compact and aggressive.."

Alfa Romeo's Cloverleaf GT looks compact and aggressive. The front end features a bold shield and wraparound headlamps giving the car a purposeful appearance. Taut lines run from the front to the slightly tapered, raked tail. All the models in the range feature the Cloverleaf badge on the boot lid except the range-topping 170bhp edition, which has the Cloverleaf inside a white triangle above the front wheel arch. Inside, the Cloverleaf has the looks of a coupe, but with the surprisingly generous space of a luxury saloon. A 320 litre luggage compartment is surprisingly big for a sports car but it can increase even further to 905 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

The Alfa GT Cloverleaf really has no business looking as good as it does, as closer inspection will reveal that it's something of a mix and match between the old 156 saloon and the 147 hatch. The tape measure shows that the car rides on the 2596mm long 156 wheelbase but underneath the pretty styling, the firewall, the pedal box, the steering column and the entire climate control system are pure 147. The front wings are shared with the old 147 GTA although the bonnet has been slightly modified.

Prices start at around £19,500, a saving of £5-600 over comparable models in the standard GT range. All Cloverleaf models come with exclusive 18" double spoke alloy wheels, red brake callipers and a satin-effect front grille and door mirrors. The car is available in either Carbonia Black, Alfa Red or Atlantico Blue. Inside the cabin, Alfa Romeo has added to the GT's equipment list with leather sports seats, aluminium sports pedals and sports dials with a red background all featuring. A Bose RDS radio with a CD/MP3 reader sound-system also comes as standard with an amplifier, eight speakers and subwoofer. Like the whole Alfa Romeo GT line-up, all Cloverleaf models come with ABS anti-lock braking with EBD, VDC with brake assist, dual zone air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted stereo controls and rear parking sensors.

The petrol cars will manage a decent average of around 33mpg although, respectively, the 202g/km (1.8-litre) and 207g/km (2.0-litre) CO2 figures are only so-so. The diesel engine excels with fuel economy averaging over 46mpg. The emissions of 164g/km for the 170bhp version and 164g/km for the 150bhp engine are a fair return for such a fun vehicle. Insurance ranges from group 15 for the diesel models and 16 for the 2.0-litre petrols.

The sleek styling, the upgraded interior and the distinguished heritage give this car a distinct head start in a market full of lookalikes. A head start is an advantage but Alfa Romeo has, in recent years, proven itself spectacularly effective at squandering advantages. The GT Cloverleaf, however, is a more intriguing buy than any Alfa coupe since the 'Sud Sprint and is probably the most endearing car in the whole line up. It's just about small enough for front-wheel drive not to be a key dissuader - something that can't be said of the Brera - and the design has and will continue to date extremely well.

Of all the GT models, we reckon that it's better to stick to the diesel engines of which the GT diesel with the Q2 differential is by far the most convincing. A characterful Alfa Romeo that's fun, frugal, beautiful and best of all reliable? Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it?