Alfa Romeo has launched a pair of new engines for its Brera and Spider models as well a new 'Italia Independent' trim level.
The 197bhp 1750 TBi petrol and 168bhp 2.0 JTDM turbodiesel were both launched last year in the Alfa Romeo 159. In a more heated form, the 1750 TBi petrol engine has also found its way beneath the bonnet of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta we drove in Italy recently.
In the Brera and Spider the new 16-valve, twin overhead camshaft 1742cc motor is good enough for 0-62mph in 7.7secs for the Brera and 7.8secs for the Spider, while both top out at 146 mph.
In-gear performance is where the new engine should shine brightest, however - with the new engine capable of hitting its torque peak of 236lb ft at just 1400rpm.
The new turbodiesel, meanwhile, develops its maximum torque of 266lb ft between 1750rpm and 2500rpm.
The 0-62mph sprint in the diesel is dealt with in 8.8secs in the Brera and 9.0secs in the Spider. Top speed is 135mph. Of course, the key appeal of the diesel is its tax-friendly status: CO2 emissions are reduced to just 142 g/km
The new Italia Independent trim level gets a matt black titanium exterior finish, 18in black opaque turbine design alloy wheels, carbon fibre effect trim inserts and an in-built sat-nav system.
Stat fiends can pore over the finer technical details of the new engines with our shamelessly-stolen-from-Alfa's-press-release tech spec below.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ALFA BRERA
| Characteristics | 1750 TBi | 2.0 JTDM |
| No of cylinders, arrangement | 4 in line, transverse front mounted | 4 in line, transverse front mounted |
| Bore x stroke (mm) | 83 x 80.5 | 83 x 90.4 |
| Displacement (cc) | 1742 | 1956 |
| Compression ratio | 9.5 : 1 | 16.5 : 1 |
| Max power output bhp (kW-EC) at rpm | 200 (147) 5000 | 170 (125) 4000 |
| Peak torque Nm(kgm-EC) at rpm | 320 (32.7) 1400 | 360 (36.7) 1750 |
| Timing system | 2 OHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, direct injection Belt drive, roller rocker arms | 2 OHCs (toothed belt), hydraulic tappets, 4 valves per cylinder, MultiJet direct injection with turbocharger and intercooler |
| Fuel feed | Direct injection with turbocharger integrated with ignition, scavenging functional mode | Bosch EDC 16C39 electronic engine management system |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12V) | ||
| Battery: capacity (Ah) / Generator (A) | 90/120 | 90/100 |
| TRANSMISSION | ||
| Drive | Front | Front |
| Number of gears Final ratio | 6 + 1R - 3.545 | 6 + 1R - 3.545 |
| TYRES | ||
| Standard version | 225/50 R 17 | 225/50 R 17 |
| STEERING SYSTEM | ||
| Steering system | Rack and pinion with power steering | Rack and pinion with power steering |
| Steering diameter kerb-to-kerb m) | 10.7 | 10.7 |
| SUSPENSION | ||
| Front | Independent with double wishbones and anti-roll bar anchored via ball joints | Independent with double wishbones and anti-roll bar anchored via ball joints |
| Rear | Independent with Multilink design | Independent with Multilink design |
| BRAKES – (DISCS) | ||
| Front (mm) | Ventilated 330 x 28 D, fixed aluminium calliper with four 42 mm pistons | Ventilated 330 x 28 D, fixed aluminium calliper with four 42 mm pistons |
| Rear (mm) | Solid 292 x 22 D, combined 42 mm floating calliper | Ventilated 292 x 22 D, combined 42 mm floating calliper |
| WEIGHTS – TANK CAPACITY | ||
| Fuel tank (l) | 70 | 70 |
| Kerb weight DIN (kg) | 1430 | 1480 |
| Max towable weight (kg) | 1450 | 1500 |
| PERFORMANCE | ||
| Top speed mph (km/h) | 146 (235) | 135 (218) |
| Acceleration (driver + 30 kg) 0-62 mph (s) | 7.7 | 8.8 |
| 0-1000 m (s) | 28.9 | 30.2 |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION – EMISSIONS* | ||
| urban cycle mpg (l/100 km) | 23.9 (11.8) | 39.8 (7.1) |
| extra-urban cycle mpg (l/100 km) | 47.1 (6.0) | 64.2 (4.4) |
| combined cycle mpg (l/100 km) | 34.9 (8.1) | 52.3 (5.4) |
| Exhaust emissions – CO2 (g/km) | 189 | 142 |
| Emissions Standard | Euro 5 | Euro 5 |
| ALFA SPIDER | ||
| Characteristics | 1750 TBi | 2.0 JTDM |
| No of cylinders, arrangement | 4 in line, transverse front mounted | 4 in line, transverse front mounted |
| Bore x stroke (mm) | 83 x 80.5 | 83 x 90.4 |
| Displacement (cc) | 1742 | 1956 |
| Compression ratio | 9.5 : 1 | 16.5 : 1 |
| Max power output bhp (kW-EC) at rpm | 200 (147) 5000 | 170 (125) 4000 |
| Peak torque Nm(kgm-EC) at rpm | 320 (32.7) 1400 | 360 (36.7) 1750 |
| Timing system | 2 OHC, 4 valves per cylinder variable valve timing, direct injection Belt drive, roller rocker arms | 2 OHCs (toothed belt), hydraulic tappets, 4 valves per cylinder, MultiJet direct injection with turbocharger and intercooler |
| Fuel feed | Direct injection with turbocharger integrated with ignition, scavenging functional mode | Bosch EDC 16C39 electronic engine management system |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12V) | ||
| Battery: capacity (Ah) / Generator (A) | 90/120 | 90/100 |
| TRANSMISSION | ||
| Drive | Front | Front |
| Number of gears Final ratio | 6 + 1R - 3.545 | 6 + 1R - 3.545 |
| TYRES | ||
| Standard version | 225/50 R 17 | 225/50 R 17 |
| STEERING SYSTEM | ||
| Steering system | Rack and pinion with power steering | Rack and pinion with power steering |
| Steering diameter kerb-to-kerb m) | 10.7 | 10.7 |
| SUSPENSION | ||
| Front | Independent with double wishbones and anti-roll bar anchored via ball joints | |
| Rear | Independent with Multilink design | |
| BRAKES – (DISCS) | ||
| Front (mm) | Ventilated 330 x 28 D, fixed aluminium calliper with four 42 mm pistons | Ventilated 330 x 28 D, fixed aluminium calliper with four 42 mm pistons |
| Rear (mm) | Solid 292 x 22 D, combined 42 mm floating calliper | Ventilated 292 x 22 D, combined 42 mm floating calliper |
| WEIGHTS – TANK CAPACITY | ||
| Fuel tank (l) | 70 | 70 |
| Kerb weight DIN (kg) | 1490 | 1540 |
| Max towable weight (kg) | 1450 | 1500 |
| PERFORMANCE | ||
| Top speed mph (km/h) | 146 (235) | 135 (218) |
| Acceleration (driver + 30 kg) 0-62 mph (s) | 7.8 | 9.0 |
| 0-1000 m (s) | 29.2 | 30.5 |
| FUEL CONSUMPTION – EMISSIONS* | ||
| urban cycle mpg (l/100 km) | 23.7 (11.9) | 39.8 (7.1) |
| extra-urban cycle mpg (l/100 km) | 46.3 (6.1) | 64.2 (4.4) |
| combined cycle mpg (l/100 km) | 34.5 (8.2) | 52.3 (5.4) |
| Exhaust emissions – CO2 (g/km) | 192 | 142 |
| Emissions Standard | Euro 5 | Euro 5 |
*according to 1999/100EC directive







