Alfa Romeo Brera

Did You Know?

• The Brera concept was powered by a Maserati V8 engine rated at around 400 PS.
• Giorgetto Giugiaro received the Compasso d'Oro industrial design award in 2004 for the Brera Concept.
• Alfa Romeo and Prodrive had previously collaborated in motorsport, campaigning an Alfa Romeo 155 in the BTCC during 1995.

Production

The production Alfa Romeo Brera debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, translating the concept's appearance into a smaller grand tourer on the GM/Fiat Premium platform shared with the Alfa Romeo 159. It replaced the outgoing GTV. The diesel and 2.2 petrol drove the front wheels, while the V6 used a Torsen four-wheel-drive system. At the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the 3.2 V6 became available in front-wheel-drive form with a 250 km/h top speed; all variants gained the e-Q2 electronic limited-slip differential and aluminium parts to reduce weight. In 2009, a 1750 TBi turbocharged petrol engine with 200 PS and 320 Nm of torque joined the lineup. Pininfarina production records state these figures.

Trims

Initially, the Brera offered 'Medium' and 'Sky View' trim levels, the latter named for its panoramic glass roof. A 2008 TI (Turismo Internazionale) trim added 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, stiffer suspension, and special badges. In spring 2008, the British-only Brera 'S' Special Edition was developed by Prodrive to address handling criticism; 500 units were made. It featured Bilstein and Eibach suspension, a Prodrive sports exhaust, and special 19-inch wheels, while the standard glass roof was replaced with headlining. In 2009, a limited edition with Italia Independent, an Italian design company owned by Lapo Elkann, was released for the Brera and Spider, limited to 900 units. It had opaque titanium paint, 18-inch turbine-style alloy wheels, an aluminium fuel-filler cap, satellite navigation, and carbon-fiber interior trim. Engine options included 2.0 JTDM, 2.4 JTDM, 1.8 TBi, 2.2 JTS, and 3.2 V6 units, with six-speed manual, Selespeed automated manual, or Q-Tronic automatic transmissions; the V6 could also have Q4 all-wheel drive.

Spider

The Spider (Type 939) debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, where it won 'Cabrio of the Year'. Based on the Brera coupé, it seats two passengers instead of four. Initial engines were the 2.2-litre straight-4 and 3.2-litre V6 JTS petrol units; a JTD turbodiesel joined at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The Spider replaced the GTV Spider introduced in 1995 and is considered the sixth generation of Alfa Romeo Spiders, the first of which appeared in 1966. Production ended in November 2010. A 2009 Italia Independent limited edition (900 units) offered opaque titanium paint, 18-inch turbine wheels, and an aluminium fuel-filler cap, with the same engine and transmission choices as the Brera version. Alfa Romeo also created 11 examples of the Spider Mille Miglia to commemorate its 11 victories in the Mille Miglia race. Based on the 260 PS 3.2 V6, it had no performance upgrades but featured a silver plate detailing one of Alfa Romeo's victories from 1928 to 1947, exclusive 'Rosso 8C' paint, a Quadrifoglio logo on the front wings, red stitching on black leather seats, chrome rear roll-hoop caps, and red body caps behind them.

Awards

The Brera concept won 'Best of Show' from Autoweek at the Geneva Motor Show and at the Villa d'Este Concorso D'Eleganze, plus two prizes at Challenge Bibendum 2002 and 'Most Fascinating Car' at the Super Car Rally 2002. The production car received the 'Most Beautiful Car in the World' award at the 21st International Automobile Festival 2006, European Car of the Year 2007 in Japan, and the European Automotive Design Award 2006, among others.