Alfa Romeo Brera & Spider

Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	Brera 2005–2010 Spider 2006–2010
Assembly	San Giorgio Canavese, Italy (Pininfarina)[1][2]
Predecessor	Alfa Romeo GTV & Spider
Class	Sports car
Body style	Coupé Spider
Layout	Front engine, Front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Platform	GM/Fiat Premium platform
Engine	Petrol: 1.75 L TBi I4 2.2 L JTS I4 3.2 L JTS V6 Diesel: 2.0 L JTD I4 2.4 L JTD I5
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed semi-auto Magneti Marelli Selespeed 6-speed automatic Aisin AWTF-80 SC
Wheelbase	(Brera/Spider) 2525/2525 mm (99.4/99.4 in.)
Length	4410/4396 mm (173.6/173.0 in.)
Width	1828/1830 mm (71.9/72.0 in.)
Height	1422/1367 mm (55.9/53.8 in.)
Curb weight	1470–1680 kg (3240-3703 lb)
Related	Alfa Romeo 159
Designer	Brera Giorgetto Giugiaro Spider Pininfarina/Alfa Romeo Centro Stile

Rear view of Brera.

The Alfa Romeo Brera is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 2005 and 2010.^[3] The Spider roadster was produced between 2006 to 2010. Both cars were manufactured by Pininfarina. Only 12,488 units of Spider and 21,786 units of Brera were built.^[4] Production of both models stopped in November 2010, although remaining stock will continue into 2011.^[5] A new model of the car is rumored to be launched in 2014.^[6]

Concept

The Brera originally appeared as a concept car at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign Giugiaro. The concept version was powered with a Maserati V8 engine producing around 400 PS (290 kW; 390 hp).^[7] The Brera was widely acclaimed, and production plans were subsequently announced for 2005.

The Brera concept car

Production

The Alfa Romeo Brera was introduced in production form at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It maintained the original's exterior appearance almost exactly but on a much smaller scale, becoming a mid-size coupe on the GM/Fiat Premium platform (shared with the Alfa Romeo 159), and designed to replace the outgoing GTV. A convertible Spider version of the Brera was also announced, to be launched shortly after the coupe and to replace the existing GTV-based Spider.

In Europe, the Brera is available with two petrol engines, the 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) 2.2-litre JTS and 260 PS (190 kW; 260 hp) 3.2-litre V6; and a 210 PS (150 kW; 210 hp) 2.4-litre JTD turbodiesel. Cars with the diesel or 2.2 petrol are front-wheel drive, whilst the V6 comes with a Torsen four-wheel drive system similar to the 156 and 159's Q4.

For the "model year" 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider changes were made to the mechanics and the interiors of the cars. The 3.2 litre V6 version will now be offered in front wheel drive, as well as a four wheel drive version, allowing for a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour (160 mph). All model variants will be fitted with electronic Q2 limited slip differential. By using more aluminium parts a weight reduction of several kilos is achieved. These new versions were introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008.^[8]

For "model year" 2009 Alfa Romeo is introducing a new turbocharged petrol engine badged as "TBi", this 1742 cc unit has direct injection and variable valve timing in both inlet and exhaust cams. This new engine has 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) and 320 N·m (240 lb·ft) of torque.^[9]

Brera S

Brera S

In Spring 2008 the Brera 'S' Special Edition was announced. This Alfa Romeo-approved British-only limited-run version was developed by British engineering specialists Prodrive and was intended to address criticism regarding the handling of the standard car.^[10] Selected suspension and chassis components and settings of the 'S' have been amended from the standard car, altering the handling characteristics.^[11] Alfa Romeo and Prodrive had previously collaborated in motorsport, campaigning an Alfa Romeo 155 in the BTCC during 1994 and 1995.^[12]

Italia Independent

Brera Italia Independent

In 2009, Alfa Romeo released a limited edition of the Brera in association with Italia Independent, an Italian design company. Limited to 900 units and named after Alfa Romeo's partner in the venture, the Italia Independent edition of the Brera was offered with opaque-finish "titanium" paintwork, 18" "turbine" style alloy wheels and an aluminium fuel-filler cap.

The Italia Independent was offered with 136 kW (185 PS) 2.2 JTS or 191 kW (260 PS) 3.2 V6 petrol engines and six-speed transmission. Manual, "Selespeed" or automatic Q-Tronic transmission options were offered, and the V6 engined-car was also available with Alfa Romeo's Q4 all-wheel drive system.^[13]

Engines

Petrol

Diesel

Performance

Awards

• Before it was released, the Alfa Brera concept car was voted "Best of Show" by Autoweek magazine at the Geneva Motor Show,^[14] "Best of Show" in the prototype category at the Villa d’Este Concorso D’Eleganze, it picked up two prizes at Challenge Bibendum 2002, and "the Most Fascinating Car" award at the Super Car Rally 2002 form Paris to Monte Carlo.
• Brera was elected to European Car of the Year 2007 in Japan.^[14]
• Best Sports/Coupe - What Diesel Car?^[15]
• European Automotive Design Award 2006^[14]
• Best Design Award 2006 by Autocar Magazine (UK)^[14]
• Best Coupe – Croatian Car of the Year Awards 2006^[14]

Spider

Spider.

Spider rear view.

The 1,742 cc Turbo engine used in the Spider.

The New Spider version (Type 939) was introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, where it also received "Cabrio of the Year" award.^[16] Spider is based on the Brera coupe but is a pure 2-seater convertible. At the beginning there were two engine options available: the 2.2L straight-4 and 3.2L V6 JTS engines, and the JTD common rail turbodiesel was introduced at 2007 Geneva Motor Show. This car replaced Spider 916 model, introduced in 1995. This Spider version can be seen as 6th generation of Alfa Spiders, the first version of which was released in 1966. Production ceased in November 2010.

Petrol

Diesel

Performance

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alfa Romeo Brera

v t e Alfa Romeo Brands Marques Active Alfa Romeo Defunct Alfasud FNM Divisions, joint-ventures and subsidiaries Former and defunct Fábrica Nacional de Motores (FNM) Alfa Romeo Avio Società Pompe Iniezione Cassani & Affini (SPICA) Società Franco Italiana Motori (Sofim) Predecessors Società Italiana Automobili Darracq Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (A.L.F.A.) Current cars MiTo Giulietta Historic and discontinued models 24 HP 40-60HP 20-30HP 6C 8C G1/G2 RL RM 1750/2000 1900 2000 2600 33 Stradale Alfa 6 Alfasud Alfetta Giulia Giulietta Gran Sport Quattroruote GTA GTV Nuova Giulietta Montreal Spider Sprint 145/146 147 155 156 159 164 166 33 75 90 Arna 8C Competizione GTV Spider (916) SZ/RZ Brera GT Spider (939) Concept cars 2uettottanta 2000 Sportiva 33.2 BAT series Carabo Disco Volante Diva Navajo Kamal Nuvola Pandion Proteo Scighera Visconti 4C TZ3 Eagle Giulia Sport Canguro Bella Iguana Vivace Delfino Vola Zeta 6 Dardo Caimano Issima Trucks Tipo 50 Tipo 80 Tipo 85 Tipo 110 Tipo 350 430 500 800 900 Mille A19N Vans Romeo A11/F11 A12/F12 AR6 AR8 Racing cars Grand Prix P1 P2 P3 Tipo A Tipo B (P3) Tipo C (8C-35) Tipo 308 Tipo 312 Tipo 316 Bimotore 12C Tipo 512 158/159 Alfetta TZ/TZ2 GTA Tipo 33 177 179 182 183T 184T 185T 155 V6 TI Motorsport Alfa Romeo in motorsport Alfa Romeo in Formula One (Alfa Romeo Grand Prix results) Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Corse Autodelta N.Technology Jolly Club Technologies Blue&Me Selespeed Multiair Alfa Romeo engines (aircraft engines) platforms Places and facilities Alfa Romeo Museum Alfa Romeo Arese Plant Alfa Romeo Pomigliano d'Arco Plant Alfa Romeo Portello Plant Balocco People Nicola Romeo Giuseppe Merosi Vittorio Jano Enzo Ferrari Rudolf Hruska Carlo Chiti Gioacchino Colombo Wifredo Ricart Orazio Satta Puliga Giuseppe Busso Ugo Gobbato Drivers Formula One drivers Tazio Nuvolari Giuseppe Campari Achille Varzi Luigi Arcangeli Clemente Biondetti Antonio Ascari Ugo Sivocci Jean-Pierre Wimille Guy Moll Gastone Brilli-Peri Baconin Borzacchini Clubs Alfa Romeo Owners Club (USA) Alfa Romeo Owners Club (UK) Alfa Romeo Owners Club (Italy) Category Commons