Brera S V Standard Brera V6
Discussion
I've not driven an S, so can't really answer. But...
When the S was launched, the weight was exactly the same as the normal car, all the references to it being lighter were comparing it to the 4wd version of the heavier, pre-facelift car.
Andyt25 said:
Taking away the 4 wheel drive must save some weight....
Bear in mind that the 'normal' Brera V6 can be had in fwd too, the Brera S is based on the fwd version of the 'facelift' lighter car.When the S was launched, the weight was exactly the same as the normal car, all the references to it being lighter were comparing it to the 4wd version of the heavier, pre-facelift car.
The S does seem a more focussed drivers car, ranking as one of Evo's recommendations for quite a long time. However in becoming that it does lose some of the standard Brera's Gran Turismo appeal and in my opinion is an odd car for everyday use. There were no choice of options for instance - the most notable being the lack of Bluetooth which nearly every standard Brera has. It also retains the standard car's glass roof - but with a solid headlining so you can't see out of it! Seems a strange one to me but it does look and apparently drive very well indeed...
Not the V6 ones, but I have driven the 2.2 version back to back and given I straight away bought the S model probably tells you all you need to know.
The straight line performance is no different, but the way it handles felt very different. The standard car feeling quite soft and wallowy, whereas the S is a lot more pointy and corners a lot flatter. The ride is a little harder, but this is more than made up for with the way it feels to drive. It inspires confidence to press to on, whereas the standard car felt like it didnt want to be rushed, the S wants to be thrown around.
Also it sits a little lower (25mm off top of head), and with the 19in 8C style wheels it looks much more purposeful.
However like said above, the equipment options are limited, no blue&me, and it is a shame about the fixed cover on the glass roof, I dont think the weight saved by ditching the blind makes much difference, whereas if they did it properly then they could have replaced the glass roof with an aluminium panel to save even more. However I would have rather had an opening blind as to be honest it is never going to be a stripped out lightweight car given the starting point.
Try one if you get chance.
The straight line performance is no different, but the way it handles felt very different. The standard car feeling quite soft and wallowy, whereas the S is a lot more pointy and corners a lot flatter. The ride is a little harder, but this is more than made up for with the way it feels to drive. It inspires confidence to press to on, whereas the standard car felt like it didnt want to be rushed, the S wants to be thrown around.
Also it sits a little lower (25mm off top of head), and with the 19in 8C style wheels it looks much more purposeful.
However like said above, the equipment options are limited, no blue&me, and it is a shame about the fixed cover on the glass roof, I dont think the weight saved by ditching the blind makes much difference, whereas if they did it properly then they could have replaced the glass roof with an aluminium panel to save even more. However I would have rather had an opening blind as to be honest it is never going to be a stripped out lightweight car given the starting point.
Try one if you get chance.
Markytop said:
Not the V6 ones, but I have driven the 2.2 version back to back and given I straight away bought the S model probably tells you all you need to know.
The straight line performance is no different, but the way it handles felt very different. The standard car feeling quite soft and wallowy, whereas the S is a lot more pointy and corners a lot flatter. The ride is a little harder, but this is more than made up for with the way it feels to drive. It inspires confidence to press to on, whereas the standard car felt like it didnt want to be rushed, the S wants to be thrown around.
Also it sits a little lower (25mm off top of head), and with the 19in 8C style wheels it looks much more purposeful.
However like said above, the equipment options are limited, no blue&me, and it is a shame about the fixed cover on the glass roof, I dont think the weight saved by ditching the blind makes much difference, whereas if they did it properly then they could have replaced the glass roof with an aluminium panel to save even more. However I would have rather had an opening blind as to be honest it is never going to be a stripped out lightweight car given the starting point.
Try one if you get chance.
Thanks, just as I thought....The ride doesn't bother me that much as my everyday casre over the last few years have been Lotus Elise and TVR's so I'll be used to it....Options again not an issue...I buy a car to drive not to answer the phone. For me its about the handling and the grin factor and the standard car just didn't do it for me I'm afraid....It didn't feel like an improvement over the GTV V6 I had back in 1998...The straight line performance is no different, but the way it handles felt very different. The standard car feeling quite soft and wallowy, whereas the S is a lot more pointy and corners a lot flatter. The ride is a little harder, but this is more than made up for with the way it feels to drive. It inspires confidence to press to on, whereas the standard car felt like it didnt want to be rushed, the S wants to be thrown around.
Also it sits a little lower (25mm off top of head), and with the 19in 8C style wheels it looks much more purposeful.
However like said above, the equipment options are limited, no blue&me, and it is a shame about the fixed cover on the glass roof, I dont think the weight saved by ditching the blind makes much difference, whereas if they did it properly then they could have replaced the glass roof with an aluminium panel to save even more. However I would have rather had an opening blind as to be honest it is never going to be a stripped out lightweight car given the starting point.
Try one if you get chance.
I'll just have to have a drive and see what I think....Guest Alfa Romeo have a red one at 20995 which I am going to try and have a go in..
cirvy said:
I was talking to a guy who helped develop the S with Prodrive, & he said the finished article was not much of an improvement over the standard car, sadly 
Thats strange as Evo mag rate it highly as a drivers car and the standard V6 doesn't even appear in the knowledge with a rating....I remember them driving the standard car and being very critical about it. Yet the S recieve praise and a 4 out of 5 rating....so it must be an improvement surely...OK not everyone wants a focused hard riding car but smile per mile factor is more inportant that just getting from A to B for me. I test drove both before finally deciding on the V6 Brera S. Marvellous car and far more planted than the standard. The Prodrive does make a difference in handling (Bilstein shocks). I originally went out for a test drive with the idea of buying a used one privately. Drove the demonstrator back to the garage after a 30 minute test and was that impressed, I did the deal there and then. Very happy with the car, although the fuel consumption makes my TVR Sagaris seem economical!
MonkeyMatt said:
What about an Autodelta! anyone driven one of those?
That did look good at the Autodsport show....different league as for as performance, nearly 100 bhp more....would be worth thinking about on an early car, but when adding to a nearly new one it starts getting a bit exspensive.I have driven both the Brera and the Brera S (I think they were the 2.2's), can only really re-iterate what has been said above.
The standard one felt a little bit "wet", needed a greater level of composure and feeling of absolute solidity.
The Brera S still retains that solidity (rather than lightweight nimbleness) but tightens the whole package up, with traction by the bucket load.
Would absolutely be the Brera S for me given the choice
. Looks rather tasty too 
edit: Found a rather fun looking pic
http://testarossa.smugmug.com/photos/295659747_6JU...
and this is the one I drove back in 2008
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/attachments/alfa-15...
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/attachments/alfa-15...
The standard one felt a little bit "wet", needed a greater level of composure and feeling of absolute solidity.
The Brera S still retains that solidity (rather than lightweight nimbleness) but tightens the whole package up, with traction by the bucket load.
Would absolutely be the Brera S for me given the choice
. Looks rather tasty too edit: Found a rather fun looking pic
http://testarossa.smugmug.com/photos/295659747_6JU...
and this is the one I drove back in 2008
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/attachments/alfa-15...
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/attachments/alfa-15...
Edited by V6Alfisti on Monday 25th January 22:50
My Mrs has a Prodrive SV6 and she absolutely loves it. Ive driven it afew times and to be honest, i was quite impressed despite what had been said about the standard Brera. Goods and bads?
Goods:
Excellent handling, even on the twisties.
Firm but very forgiving ride.
All the extra's (apart from heated seats -
)
Lovely sounding exhaust (by Prodrive).
Comfortable seating position and enough space in the back for 2 adults.
Decent boot space.
Long service intervals and good warranty.
Best looking car for the money i've seen for a long time.
Alloys are lovely.
Should retain high resale values, especially if you keep the ownership certificate and hardback book in good nick.
Looks fantastic in red!!
Bads:
Seems a bit slow to react despite the power and torque figures - due to being bloody heavy.
Fuel economy is as bad as my RS6.
Too wide for the garage.
Cheap feel to the plastic parts of the interior. Most is leather clad though, inc the dash.
Alfa build quality questionable (Prodrive bits are excellent)- seats wobble a bit when you sit in them. Trim fell off in the boot.
Highest tax band.
Alloys are kerb magnets waiting to happen. Bought the missus some 255's to give her some protection on the rim.
Goods:
Excellent handling, even on the twisties.
Firm but very forgiving ride.
All the extra's (apart from heated seats -
)Lovely sounding exhaust (by Prodrive).
Comfortable seating position and enough space in the back for 2 adults.
Decent boot space.
Long service intervals and good warranty.
Best looking car for the money i've seen for a long time.
Alloys are lovely.
Should retain high resale values, especially if you keep the ownership certificate and hardback book in good nick.
Looks fantastic in red!!
Bads:
Seems a bit slow to react despite the power and torque figures - due to being bloody heavy.
Fuel economy is as bad as my RS6.
Too wide for the garage.
Cheap feel to the plastic parts of the interior. Most is leather clad though, inc the dash.
Alfa build quality questionable (Prodrive bits are excellent)- seats wobble a bit when you sit in them. Trim fell off in the boot.
Highest tax band.
Alloys are kerb magnets waiting to happen. Bought the missus some 255's to give her some protection on the rim.
ecain63 said:
Comfortable seating position and enough space in the back for 2 adults.
You must have the rare long wheelbase version as there is definately not that much space in the back of mine 
I am 6ft and there isnt much room for an adult with legs to sit behind behind me. They are ok behind the passenger seat if it is brought forward, but behind driver is kids only.
Saying that I find mine very practical, as the boot is big and the seats fold, so can actually get lots of stuff in.
The biggest downside for me on the 2.2 is the fuel economy and while it is not quite as bad as my Cerbera used to be, it is not far off. Dont expect much above 23-24mpg, even on long-ish runs. This may be caused partly by the way the car makes you want to drive it hard, as it does come alive when driven in the manner Prodrive intended
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