Tuesday 1st February 2005

Gorgeous new Alfa debuts

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

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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.

It's a gorgeous-looking motor for sure, as you'd expect from Alfa -- but the proof will be in the driving...

[dick dastardly]

About time too, I've been harping on about this car for years.

Any idea how much £?

[MEMSDesign]

FWD or RWD ? I guess the concept was RWD (but I can't remember TBH).

[Bill Carr]

Wonder what it'll do for residuals on Alfa GT's?

[pdV6]

MEMSDesign said:

FWD or RWD ? I guess the concept was RWD (but I can't remember TBH).

FWD, except for the 3.2V6 which will be permanent AWD with rear bias

Prices: €32k for the 2.2JTS and €39,500 for the V6

www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars/alfa_romeo/02/brera/0102.html
www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars/alfa_romeo/02/brera/0102_official.html
www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars/alfa_romeo/02/brera/0102_highres.html

[wedgie]

Judging by the build quality and ergonomics of our 156 GTA, (Another great-looking and great-performing motor),I'd check it out very carefully before considering it...

For example, does the radio go off when you turn the heated rear window on? Does it give the driver sciatica on a long journey? Do you get your fingers trapped down the side of the seat when you adjust the driving position? If it has heated seats, do you have to get out of the car or wait 'til your bum boils to see if they're switched on? Does the diff disintegrate at speed?

[ljb]

Ah well - if it had good build quality then it wouldn't be an Alfa! (No excuse, I know, but as a TVR owner and a previous Alfa owner its the only way of convincing myself that's its worth while! - Which it is)

[nekrum]

Cool - if the 3.2 is AWD me want one!...

[Driller]

What about the weight, anyone know?

[pdV6]

nekrum said:

Cool - if the 3.2 is AWD me want one!...

The ItaliaSpeed article also claims a twin turbo 400bhp V6 Q4 for 2007.

won't be holding my breath, though!

[burnt]

Any interior pictures? I want one.

[rutthenut]

I loved the original design of the Brera, especially if it was to come with a Ferrari engine and drivetrain. But the price would have been somewhat silly, and up against the Maserati in-house brand too.

Still looks like a great car. With the V6 it'll have a great engine too. Price not so bad either. AWD makes sense, even with a rearward bias.

What about the Alfa Coupe '8C ?' that was announced a while back? Is that still on the cards as a proper rear-wheel-drive car? Now that looked absolutely stunning...

[pdV6]

rutthenut said:

What about the Alfa Coupe '8C ?' that was announced a while back? Is that still on the cards as a proper rear-wheel-drive car? Now that looked absolutely stunning...

In a word: "maybe"

www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars/alfa_romeo/01/8c/1801.html

[cdp]

I think it's better for not having the Ferrari engine and hence the Ferrari price.

They could save even more money by leaving out the driveshafts to the front wheels......

[klassiekerrally]

I think the back is a bit disappointing...

And that colour doesn't do it any good either.

[dinkel]

pdV6 said:

www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars/alfa_romeo/01/8c/1801.html

God some new pants please . . . Is that a stunner or what?

[pdV6]

I didn't like the photos of the GT, but it looks great in the flesh.

This one looks great in the photos, so hopefully that will translate into "gob-smackingly beautiful" in the flesh!

[burnt]

Although www.alfaromeo.co.uk/ doesn't work.

Come on guys get it together...today of all days.

[dinkel]

Works fine . . . You have Flash installed?

[pdV6]

burnt said:

Although www.alfaromeo.co.uk/ doesn't work. Come on guys get it together...today of all days.

Works fine, but no mention of the Brera (not prominently, anyway). Nice one ARUK

[lanciachris]

Wow. I like it. Give it a year to depreciate and ill have one.