Thursday 2nd February 2006

Alfa reveals two new models

Spider and Sportwagon on show at Geneva

---

Alfa Sportwagon Alfa Spider

Carmakers are gearing up their PR machines to grab your attention by previewing what they'll be showing at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. Alfa Romeo's no exception -- the show sees the international public debuts of the Alfa 159 Sportwagon and Alfa Spider.

According to Alfa, both models include double wishbone suspension at the front, and a sophisticated multilink arrangement at the rear. Both include the optional Q4 four-wheel drive, available on 3.2-litre versions only.

Sportwagon

A good-looking estate, the 159 Sportwagon is the same overall length (4,660mm) as the saloon, the long roof giving it a coupé feel. Styling extends to a roof spoiler and some aerodynamic tweaks. Internally, Alfa describes the beats as offering "generous load volume" and "a luggage capacity in line with that of a prestige estate".

The Sportwagon's available in the UK from late spring, and will be available in two trim levels. The range includes three new JTS engines with continuously variable valve timing: 260bhp 3.2-litre V6 24v, 185bhp 2.2-litre four-pot and a 160bhp 1.9-litre four-pot. There are also two multijet turbodiesel engines: 200bhp 2.4-litre JTDM 20v and 150 bhp 1.9-litre JTDM 16v. All of these are fitted with new six-speed manual gearboxes, and some versions will also offer automatic transmission.

Spider

Designed with a nod towards the 1950s Giulietta Spider, the all-new Spider is design-led. It's characterised by elongated rear lights and four exhaust tail pipes. Interior features include automatic dual-zone climate control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, VDC and cruise control. Available in two versions, customers can choose a Spider powered by Alfa Romeo’s 185bhp 2.2-litre JTS engine, or the powerful 260bhp 3.2-litre JTS. The two-seater's 1,830mm wide, 4,396mm long and 1,367mm high, and will be available in the UK from early summer.

Prices have yet to be announced.

[800]

Yum, I would, I really would.

[dinkel]

Brera Vert or this Spider?

[will ferrari]

Boring Spider, just dribble. Nothing out of the ordinary. Alfa will die if this is all they can do, my heart beat didn't increase, infact it slowed when I saw this. It looks the same as the existing Spider and the Sportwagon looks the same as the 156 sportwagon.

[errek72]

Doesn't look too well with the hood on
At least not in the spy pics

Alfa built this one cheaply, off the back of GM
In other words, if these models do not catch on, it will die
And that will not be a great day for car enthusiasts, IMHO

[combover]

will ferrari said:

The Sportwagon looks the same as the 156 sportwagon.

And this is a problem for you? I thought the 156 Sportwagen was one of the best looking estate cars ever. Each to their own...

Combover

[jamieboy]

dinkel said:

Brera Vert or this Spider?

Same thing, isn't it?

[dinkel]

The 156 is a crampy car . . . it looked absolute the nuts when it was launched in - what - '97, and it still does.

But spacy it is not, so the idea of the estate was a bit, strange too me . . .

The Spider lacks the sexieness the Brera has . . .

[paulie-mafia]

Dayyyyyyyyyyum! The Spider is a real beaut! My next car methinks..

[Twincam16]

Note to Aston: Take heed.

Seriously though, if you look at Alfa's design heritage since the '90s, they've experimented with loads of 'looks' - cubism, intersecting lines, geometric themes etc - none of them excessive and absolutely none of them 'retro'. And you can still most distinctively spot the difference between all their models. They all have a charisma and character of their own (quite unlike the BMW/Audi approach of 'what price/size do you want? Here you go').

Aston should learn from Italian design (as should we all but that's besides the point) as they did with the DB4 - their previous look was getting old and samey, so in step Carozziera Touring of Milano with the rapture-inducing DB4. Aston needs that moment again.

[dinkel]

jamieboy said:

dinkel said: Brera Vert or this Spider? Same thing, isn't it?

Yup, but it's confusing. What's the official name then . . . Brera Convertible or Alfa Spider?

[jamieboy]

dinkel said:

What's the official name then . . . Brera Convertible or Alfa Spider?

Pretty sure the coupe is just called the Brera, and the convertible is just called the Spider, same as the previous (or current) generation GTV and Spider.

[telecat]

They both look pretty boring in these photos! Hopefully they'll be better in the flesh.

[will ferrari]

combover said:

will ferrari said: The Sportwagon looks the same as the 156 sportwagon. And this is a problem for you? I thought the 156 Sportwagen was one of the best looking estate cars ever. Each to their own... Combover

Yes the 156 Sportwagen is GORGEOUS and it took my breath away. This new one didn't do the same. It's a bit like seeing Pamela Anderson and then seeing Meg Ryan in the same que to buy an undergound ticket at West Hampstead tube station. You'd be equally excited if you saw them on seperate occasions but togeather, you'd be hard pushed to take your eyes off Pamela.

[Witchfinder]

I really like the look of the sportwagon. Give it Alfa's new 4WD system and a fat V6

[runnersp]

Twincam16 said:

Note to Aston: Take heed. Seriously though, if you look at Alfa's design heritage since the '90s, they've experimented with loads of 'looks' - cubism, intersecting lines, geometric themes etc - none of them excessive and absolutely none of them 'retro'. And you can still most distinctively spot the difference between all their models. They all have a charisma and character of their own (quite unlike the BMW/Audi approach of 'what price/size do you want? Here you go'). Aston should learn from Italian design (as should we all but that's besides the point) as they did with the DB4 - their previous look was getting old and samey, so in step Carozziera Touring of Milano with the rapture-inducing DB4. Aston needs that moment again.

I completely agree. That Brera Spider looks brilliant, I've test driven a 2.2 JTS Coupé here in Italy and it was fantastic so the Spider with a nice 3.5 V6 should be brilliant. Its a shame they insist on lobbing those damn diesel engines in there too.

[rob.e]

I am I alone here..? I love the look of the original Brera concept, but this car (spider) looks fat, blunt, ill proportioned and clumsy. They seem to have totally lost the essense of the original design.. very disappointed.

Compare those pics above with this beaty:




>>edited to add:

I would buy a brera if it looked like the original concept, and had a revvy vocal v6 driving the REAR wheels.

FWD unfortunately means its going to be crap to drive as well as ugly.

We all accept that modern alfas might not be built to germanic standards, and I personally would forgive it - provided its beautiful and a great drive. Which this is not..



>> Edited by rob.e on Thursday 2nd February 14:36

[Dodgey_Rog]

rob.e said:

I am I alone here..? I love the look of the original Brera concept, but this car (spider) looks fat, blunt, ill proportioned and clumsy. They seem to have totally lost the essense of the original design.. very disappointed. Compare those pics above with this beaty:

Now that looks gorgeous!!! reminds me of how sexy the Nuvolari looked in concept form.


Funny enough i was in a meeting with a guy from Alfa UK yesterday afternoon, seems they're going full circle again when it comes to dealer appointments. I pointed out that for the last 15 years they've had people who don't appreciate the brand for what it is and the customer service is non-existant. He was rather keen to point out that they are looking for big dealers again to get the sufficient numbers into the market place.

This to me seems the totally wrong direction to go in, why don't they have "owner/drivers" running the Alfa Romeo delaerships that actually give a shit about the product. To be honest, there's little wrong with the quality, out of the last 5 Alfa's we've sold and the last 5 VW's, i've seen 3 out of the 5 VW's back for little things, i've not seen any of the Alfa's, its just peoples perception. I hope they crack it like they did in the 70's and 80's, good looking cars for good money.

[dinkel]

rob.e said:

I am I alone here..?

No . . . completely agree. Spider is off.

[jamieboy]

rob.e said:

am I alone here..? I love the look of the original Brera concept... I would buy a brera if it looked like the original concept, and had a revvy vocal v6 driving the REAR wheels.

Nope, there are several people on here saying the same thing, myself included, that the production Brera and Spider appear to be a bit of a disappointment compared to the concepts or prototypes.

I've not seen a real one, and I suspect (and hope) that in isolation they're probably pretty nice cars, it's just that the concept gave them a lot to live up to.

The Brera GTA is supposed (or rumoured?) to be V8 and 4WD, so that has to be worth a look.

[runnersp]

rob.e said:

FWD unfortunately means its going to be crap to drive as well as ugly. We all accept that modern alfas might not be built to germanic standards, and I personally would forgive it - provided its beautiful and a great drive. Which this is not.. >> Edited by rob.e on Thursday 2nd February 14:36

I can agree that beauty is an entirely subjective opinion, but i don't think this car is "crap to drive," ok, it'll never be an Alfetta GTV, but of all the FWD cars i've driven, its one of the best.