Alfa Romeo Brera hits the street

Giugiaro-designed hatch is here now

The new Alfa Brera sports coupé goes on sale in the UK next week, Saturday 8 April.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, and built by Pininfarina, the road-going Alfa Brera remains remarkably true to the stunning, multi-award-winning coupé concept first shown to global acclaim at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. Alfa described it as "combining superlative engineering with outstanding performance, and handling characteristics appropriate to the pedigree of one of the world’s most famous sporting marques".

Engines and transmissions

Six versions of the new Alfa Brera, priced from £22,800 – £29,850 on-the-road, will be available from launch, with a choice of powerful direct injection petrol or diesel powerplants, and two trim levels. Two new petrol engines – a 2.2-litre 185bhp four-cylinder unit, and (available one month after the launch date) a 3.2-litre 260bhp V6, which is probably the one to have. The diesel offering is Alfa Romeo’s 2.4-litre 20v 200bhp MultiJet (JTDM) unit.

With specific power outputs of over 80bhp/litre, and almost 90 per cent of maximum torque available at 2,000 rpm, both petrol JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) units offer reasonable performance with significant fuel savings and emissions compliance. Both direct injection engines feature continuously variable valve timing governing both inlet and exhaust camshafts.

The renowned JTDM common rail direct injection diesel engine features variable geometry turbocharging and incorporating a ‘for life’, maintenance-free particulate trap (DPF) in anticipation of Euro 5 emissions regulations.

The 2.2-litre versions are mated to an M32.6 six-speed manual gearbox, while the 3.2- and 2.4-litre models come with the F40 six-speed manual transmission. The 3.2-litre version is equipped as standard with Alfa's Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system. Q4 employs three differentials, with a self-locking Torsen C unit at the centre of the system which in normal conditions divides drive torque by a ratio of 57 per cent to the rear wheels and 43 per cent to the front. Torque split between front and rear axles is constantly modulated by the central Torsen differential on the basis of available grip, with a bias towards the rear axle.

Chassis, suspension, brakes

Sharing an all-new platform and components with the Alfa 159, albeit on a 175 mm shorter wheelbase, the Brera gets a high double-wishbone front suspension system with a new multilink rear configuration. Alfa's aiming for a smooth, accurate steering response, stability and controllability even when close to the limit, with good body control and comfort.

Brakes consist of 305 mm ventilated front discs and 278 mm solid discs at the rear on the 2.2 JTS while the 3.2 JTS petrol and 2.4 JTDM feature larger, 330 mm ventilated discs with Brembo four-piston monobloc aluminium callipers (front) and 292 mm ventilated discs (rear).

Steering requires 2.25 turns lock-to-lock; the most direct steering in its class, according to Alfa, with a 10.7 m turning circle.

Electronics and safety

Up to eight airbags are fitted, seven of which are standard, seatbelt pre-tensioners and a fire prevention system. It also gets active safety in the form of electronic braking, traction control and stability systems as standard. The alphabet soup starts with ABS, combined with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) over all four wheels, and a switchable Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) unit for cornering stability. The ASR limits wheelspin during acceleration, MSR modulates braking torque when changing down through the gears, and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts.

Options

The Brera is available in two trim levels: Brera and Brera SV. Standard kit includes automatic Dual Zone climate control, cruise control, ‘follow me home’ headlamps, a multi-function display and trip computer, fog lights, 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels and an RDS 6-speaker stereo radio with CD player.

Optional equipment includes xenon headlamps, satellite navigation (either independent or incorporated within bCONNECT), electrically adjustable front seats, a Bose sound system, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and 18" alloy wheels.

Alfa’s bCONNECT on-line telematics system connects the driver to an extensive range of services via a live phone link to an English speaking operator. bCONNECT incorporates voice commands with a 6.5-inch colour display screen, plus a dual-band GSM phone with Internet access, satnav and an MP3-compatible CD sound system.

Design

The prototype won numerous, prestigious international design awards including First Prize – ‘Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2002’; Most Fascinating Car and Most Innovative Design of the Year – Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2002; Best Concept of the Year – Automotive News 2003; The Most Beautiful Car in the World – Automobilia, Milan 2003; and the XX ADI ‘Compaso d’Oro award for Design – 2004.

More recently, the Brera itself won The 2005 Design Award in Autocar magazine’s Annual Awards, the new Alfa Romeo being described as ‘an imposing coupe with rare grace.’

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kingb

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