Alfa retunes suspension for UK

02 October 2003

Alfa Romeo is to build bespoke suspension set-ups to better equip its cars for life on the UK's potholed roads.

The Italian manufacturer said it could start retuning work by the end of this year, in response to criticism of its cars' ride quality on UK roads.

Alfa's 147 hatchback will be the first beneficiary of the UK-only suspension programme, with updated cars expected to filter through some time in 2004. The 156 saloon and estate are the next most likely models to feature the revised suspension.

Volkswagen's new Golf and Vauxhall's Vectra and Astra models currently have tailor-made suspension for UK roads.

Alfa revealed its plans at today's launch of the revised 166 executive car. The top-of-the-line Alfa arrives in the UK in November and features the same reworked suspension for all markets, which the manufacturer said will improve ride and handling.

The 3.2-litre V6 engine with 240bhp is added to the 166 range - the same unit used in the brand's GTA models - but Alfa said it will not launch a diesel version in the UK because sales volumes are too low to justify the move.

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