New Engines And Trim For Alfa Brera And Spider

1750 TBi and new diesel for Alfa's coupe and convertible pairing

By Riggers / Monday, 17 May 2010 / Loading comments

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