ALFA ROMEO’S chunky new 156-based GT coupe should attract plenty of interest from Alfisti on July 1, when it goes on sale priced almost $10,000 less than the flagship 156 GTA sedan it effectively replaces.

That’s right, while the range-topping, torque-steering, circa-$90,000 156 GTA has been banished from the 156 line-up, the new coupe simply known as GT joins the Alfa Romeo range at a competitive $79,990.

Featuring the same 176kW/300Nm 3.2-litre V6 that powers the GTV V6 ($73,500) and Spider V6 ($75,500), GT lacks the full 184kW power output (but not the 300Nm torque peak) of both the 156 GTA it replaces and the $59,990 147 GTA.

Known as GT 3.2 V6 in Europe - where 105kW 1.8-litre Twin Spark petrol, 1.9-litre turbo-diesel and 123kW 2.0 JTS versions are also sold, along with automatic and Selespeed sequential manual transmission options – the sole GT variant available here will, for now, only be available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Based on the current 156 medium car platform and lacking the all-wheel drive ability of next-generation Alfas - starting with the 156 Crosswagon late this year – the single-model, front-drive GT will have no shortage of luxury performance coupes to compete with.

Everything from Japanese sports stars like Nissan 350Z ($60,000-$66,000) and Mazda RX-8 (under $57,000) to the Mercedes-Benz CLK (240 from $92,600) and even Holden Monaro ($59,950) and HSV Coupe GTO ($76,300) will be a rival.

But luxury coupes that GT will have to compete most fiercely with will no doubt be BMW’s 3 Series (extending from the sub-$70,000 320Ci to the near-$100,000 330Ci), Chrysler’s Crossfire ($69,990), Audi TT’s ($75,000-$85,000) and even Peugeot’s ageing 406 Coupe which straddles the $70,000 mark. And then there’s the Renault Megane coupe-convertible to come.

Longer than the 156 sedan and therefore featuring a sizeable (for the class) 230-litre boot, the Bertone-designed GT’s styling is reminiscent of legendary past Alfas like Giulia, Guilietta and Alfetta.

Lower-roofed than the 156 sedan with which it shares its 2596mm wheelbase, the all-new coupe presents ultra-short,l 147-style overhangs at both ends and reintroduces Alfa’s heart shaped Alfa grille, while the rear-end is perhaps the greatest departure from current designs with its complex tail-light clusters.

A five-seater measuring 4489mm long, 1763mm wide and 1355mm high, with front/rear wheel tracks of 1524 and 1510mm respectively, GT weighs in at a solid 1410kg kerb and employs a 63-litre fuel tank.

But its familiar 60-degree 24-valve DOHC V6 grabs as much attention, offering 176kW at 6200rpm and 300Nm of torque at 4800rpm. The short-stroke, Euro4 emissions compliant engine runs 10.0:1 compression and shortish final drive ratio of 3.733:1.

The result is 0-100km/h performance in a respectable 6.7 seconds, a top speed of 243km/h and combined-cycle EC fuel consumption of 12.4 litres per 100km.

GT features power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering with an average 12.1-metres turning circle, double wishbone front and MacPherson strut rear suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45-section tyres.

GT offers a sizeable safety kit including ABS with EBD, VDC stability control, twin front airbags, twin front side airbags, side windowbags, five three-point seatbelts and head restraints, and front seatbelt height adjusters.

Among GT’s extensive standard equipment list is a front armrest with storage, rear armrest, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, Xenon headlights, headlight washers, power windows/(heated) mirrors, eight-speaker Bose AM/FM/MP3/10-CD audio system, remote central locking, rain sensing wipers, leather trim, leather steering wheel with audio controls, heated front seats, rear parking sensors, 60/40-split rear seat with ski-port, and a tyre inflation kit.