Search Car Reviews



See all makes



New Alfa Stunner Is Brer-ing To Go

The world has waited... and waited... and finally it's here. Weeks ahead of its official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show next month, these are the first official pictures of the production version of Alfa Romeo's stunning Brera coupé.

By Chris Thorp

02nd February 2005

It's designed to take on the world's best high-performance premium hatchbacks, so expect a breathtaking mix of Italian flair and cutting-edge technology. The newcomer will go on sale alongside the larger GT and replace the ageing GTV. Sticking closely to the original Brera concept, which was first seen at the same exhibition three years ago, the showroom-ready model is certainly a stunner.

From the front, the Giugiaro-styled car wears Alfa's new corporate face, with two sets of three headlamps encased in an aggressive angular grille. The company's legendary shield also takes pride of place, emphasised by the deep creases running up the bonnet to the wing mirrors.

In profile, the influence of the new 147 is clear, with a sharp shoulder line and low side skirts adding a sporty edge. A wide C-pillar draws the eye to the Brera's most distinctive area - the rear. Narrow tail-light clusters reflect the shape of those at the front, while the exhaust pipes come directly out of the muscular back bumper.

The cabin will be trimmed to a luxurious standard, with generous equipment and leather in all but the most basic models. Thanks to its hatch shape, the Brera will offer comfortable seating for four, plus a decent-sized boot. A large fixed-glass sunroof gives an airy feel.

Based on the same platform as the all-new 157, the car is 4.41 metres long, 1.83m wide and 1.37m tall - making it similar in size to the Audi A3. It's named after a famous art academy in Milan, and is intended to appeal to drivers who want coup΃© performance and thrills with an added dose of practicality.

A choice of three potent engines will give the newcomer the pace to match its purposeful looks. Flagship cars will use the muscular 240bhp 3.2-litre V6 found in the GT, while 185bhp 2.2-litre JTS petrol and 200bhp 2.4-litre JTD diesel models will also be available.

In addition, buyers get the choice of an automatic gearbox or a six-speed manual. Most variants will feed their power to the road via the front wheels, although high-output range-topping editions will come with all-wheel drive for improved traction and handling.

After making its world debut at the Swiss show - which is now only four weeks away - the new three-door will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year. The first right-hand-drive UK cars are likely to arrive early in 2006.

With the GTV gone, the oldest car in Alfa's line-up will be the Spider convertible. It's not yet known when a replacement for the dated two-seater will appear, but a drop-top version of the Brera is thought to be under consideration.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -