Gorgeous new Alfa debuts

Brera 2+2 launches at Geneva. Ferrari engine not included

There's a new Alfa coupé on its way. The product version of the long-awaited Alfa Romeo Brera 2+2, designed by Giorgetto-Giugiarois and the concept for which was shown a couple of years ago, is to debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It's due on sale by year's end.

Three engines will be available, a turbo-diesel and two petrol-powered units. The oil-burner is a 2.4-litre 240bhp pump while the petrol offerings consist of 185bhp 2.2-litre and 260bhp 3.2-litre units. They'll be mated with either an automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox.

Suspension includes a multilink setup at the rear, and features include the usual panoply of electronic gizmos to help ensure the car stays on the black stuff.

Alfa reckons the car "encapsulates sportiness and elegance", including as it does a glass roof. Sadly though, the engine options won't include the Ferrari-designed 402bhp 4.2-litre V8 as fitted to the concept (bottom pic), which was first aired in 2003.