2004 Alfa Romeo GT Coupe JTS

Four occupants can enjoy this luxurious Italian atmosphere with plenty of room (and up to five will fit for short journeys)

Thanks to the hatchback design, with the rear seats folded down there is plenty of cargo space in the GT. (Photo: Alfa Romeo)

thanks to the 156 donor car's long wheelbase. Obviously it isn't as roomy as Alfa's sedan in back due to the sloping roofline. Also, padded sides limit head, shoulder and hip room. Still, the new GT beats out the incredibly cramped GTV. As mentioned earlier the GT is a hatchback, and when the seats are folded down it can carry impressive amounts of cargo. A ski pass-through is standard, while a special cargo divider helps organize the space in back.

Up front, a total of three engines will be available for the GT. Buyers can choose an invigorating 3.2-liter V6 engine that creates 240 horsepower. It's the same driving force behind the 147 and 156 GTA models, though refinement has been enhanced. Another option is a

The 2.0-liter direct injection JTS engine is one of the most technologically advanced Alfa power plants built in recent years. (Photo: Alfa Romeo)

150 horsepower 1.9 JTD turbodiesel. Alfa added this choice to broaden the market, adding to the sporty diesel game.

But even more interesting is the basic engine, which also happens to be one of the most technologically advanced Alfa engines built in recent years. The 2.0-liter direct injection JTS engine first debuted in the 156, replacing and improving on the older 2.0-liter twin-spark unit. It still has the same block, the same variable cam phasing, two-stage intake manifolds and balancer shafts, but what it gains is direct injection, which Alfa uses to gain power rather than to improve economy. All pistons, spark plugs and ports are geared towards creating power, rather than producing a cleaner, leaner burn.