At its launch, many journalists commented that Alfa had improved overall build quality considerably and that it came very close to equaling its German rivals. Awards 1995: Autocar Magazine: "1995 Car of the Year". 1995: Car Magazine: "Best Designed Car". 1995: Car Magazine: Best Design Detail in production. 1995: "The World's most Beautiful Automobile" award. 1995: Bild: "Goldenes Lenkrad". 1995: Automobilia: "Auto più bella del mondo". 1995: Autocar Magazine: "Best Sport Car". 1995: Auto Zeitung: "Best car to drive". 1995: "Engineer of the Year" for chief Alfa Romeo engineer, Bruno Cena. 1995: Trofeu do Automovel Categoria "Deportivo di Ano" (Sports Car of the Year) History The GTV was initially offered with 2.0 TS or 2.0 V6 Turbo, while Spider with 2.0 TS or 3.0 V6 12V. The exterior design was finished in July 1988. Production began in late 1993 with four cars, all 3.0 V6 Spiders, assembled at the Alfa Romeo Arese Plant in Milan. In early 1994 the first GTV was produced, with 2.0 Twin Spark engine. The first premiere was then held at the Paris Motor Show in 1994. The GTV and Spider were officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1995 and sales began the same year. V6 Turbo GTVs had two air intakes on the lower lip, one for oil cooler and other for intercooler. Early V6 Spiders lacked any additional intakes as the oil cooler was mounted in front of the radiator. The car was produced in three distinct phases. The Phase 1 cars had a black plastic grille in the nose of the bonnet, without the chrome edging and black-painted sills all round. 1997 changes In 1997 (Phase 1b) a new engine, a 24-valve 3.0 litre V6, was available for the GTV, The new 24V car also came equipped with a new 16" 5 hole 'teledial' wheel design to provide extra clearance for the larger, brakes and red four-pot calipers from Brembo. Further exterior changes were new rear badging 'V6 24V' denoting the fitment of the new engine, and V6 Turbo-sourced front bumper lip with just one intake on the right hand side to allow air flow to front mounted oil cooler. Some versions were upgraded with different front bumper mesh to bring the wind noise down to 74 dBA. On the interior, pleated leather seats from MOMO were offered in White, Red or Tan. These seats came with respective matching coloured