Alfa Romeo Brera

Infobox Automobile


name = Alfa Romeo Brera & Spider
manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
parent_company = Fiat Group
assembly = San Giorgio Canavese, Italy (Pininfarina)Cite web|url=http://www.pininfarina.com/index/storiaModelli/ultimi/alfaBrera|title=Alfa Brera|accessdate=2007-04-25|work=pininfarina.com] Cite web|url=http://www.pininfarina.com/index/storiaModelli/ultimi/alfasp|title=Alfa Spider|accessdate=2007-04-25|work=pininfarina.com]
production = Brera 2005-present
Spider 2006-present
layout = Front engine, Front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
platform = GM/Fiat Premium platform
engine = Petrol:

• 2.2 L "JTS" I4
• 3.2 L "JTS" V6

Diesel:

• 2.4 L "JTD" I5
  transmission= 6-speed manual
  6-speed Sequential manual
  • Magneti Marelli Selespeed
  6-speed automatic
  • Aisin AWTF-80 SC
  
  class = Grand tourer
  body_style = Coupé
  Cabriolet
  predecessor = Alfa Romeo GTV & Spider
  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.)
  front_track = 1579/1579 mm (62.1/62.1 in.)
  rear_track =
  1559/1559 mm (61.3/61.3 in.)
  weight = 1470-1680 kg (3240-3703 lb)
  fuel_capacity = Convert|70|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on
  designer = Brera Giorgetto Giugiaro
  Spider Pininfarina/Alfa Romeo Style CentreThe Alfa Romeo Brera is a grand tourer produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo since 2005. The Spider cabriolet has been produced since 2006. Both cars are manufactured by Pininfarina.

  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 Maserati V8 engine producing around Auto PS|400.Cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1331/Alfa-Romeo-Brera-Concept.html|title=Alfa Romeo Brera Concept|accessdate=2007-08-11|work=ultimatecarpage.com] The Brera was widely acclaimed, and production plans were subsequently announced for 2005.

  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 Auto PS|185 2.2-litre JTS and Auto PS|260 3.2-litre V6; and a Auto PS|210 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 convert|250|km/h|mi/h. All model variants will be fitted with electronic Q2 limited slip differential. By using more aluminium parts a weight reduction of convert|45|kg|lb is achieved. These new versions were introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008.Cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2008/cars/alfa_romeo/02/159_my/1902.html|title=19.02.2008 MODEL YEAR IMPROVEMENTS FOR ALFA 159 AND 159 SPORTWAGON|accessdate=2008-02-19|work=italiaspeed.com/2008]

  Brera S

  In Spring 2008 the Brera 'S' Special Edition was announced. This Alfa Romeo-approved limited-run version was developed by British engineering specialists Prodrive with a view to addressing the slightly disappointing ride and handling of the standard car. The suspension and chassis settings of the of the 'S' have been altered from the standard car, significantly improving the handling and feel of the car for driving enthusiasts.Cite web|url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/221721/alfa_romeo_brera_s.html|title=Alfa Romeo Brera S|accessdate=2008-05-22|author=autoexpress.co.uk] Prodrive performed a similar job previously on the Mazda RX-8.

  Engines

  Petrol

  Awards

  *Before it was released, the Alfa Brera concept car was voted "Best of Show" by Autoweek magazine at the Geneva Motor Show,Cite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/history.html|title=History of Alfa Romeo 1980-present|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=alfaromeo.com.sg] "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.Cite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/history.html|title=History of Alfa Romeo 1980-present|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=alfaromeo.com.sg]
  *Best Sports/Coupe - What Diesel Car?Cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2007/cars/alfa_romeo/06/brera_what_diesl_car_award/2206.html|title=22.06.2007 ALFA BRERA SCOOPS WHAT DIESEL CAR? AWARD|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=italiaspeed.com]
  *European Automotive Design Award 2006Cite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/history.html|title=History of Alfa Romeo 1980-present|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=alfaromeo.com.sg]
  *Best Design Award 2006 by Autocar Magazine (UK)Cite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/history.html|title=History of Alfa Romeo 1980-present|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=alfaromeo.com.sg]
  *Best Coupe – Croatian Car of the Year Awards 2006Cite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.com.sg/history.html|title=History of Alfa Romeo 1980-present|accessdate=2007-07-03|work=alfaromeo.com.sg]

  pider

  The New Spider version (Type 939) was introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, where it also received "Cabrio of the Year" award.Cite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=18217|title=The New Alfa Spider 'Cabrio Of The Year 2006'|accessdate=2007-04-25|work=alfaromeo.com.au] 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.

  
  =EnginesCite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.it/NEWALFA_ITALIA/uploads/1006/1074166698/20080404/SPIDER_MY08_CAT_ITA.pdf|title=2008 Spider specifications|accessdate=2008-04-07|work=alfaromeo.it] =
  

  Petrol

  In popular culture

  The Alfa Brera makes an early appearance in the video game "". It is categorized as a "Tier 1 exotic car" that the player can begin driving from the very beginning of his in-game career.

  The Brera is one of the two Alfa Romeo cars featured in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

  The Alfa Brera also makes an appearance in the "Xbox 360" version of "Test Drive Unlimited" as a downloadable car from the Xbox Live Marketplace in a TDU car pack.

  References

  External links

  * [http://www.brera.alfaromeo.com/ brera.alfaromeo.com]
  * [http://www.spider.alfaromeo.com/ spider.alfaromeo.com]
  * [http://www.sportsalfa.com/ Alfa Brera Owners Forum]
  * [http://www.machinewarriors.com/ Machinewarriors - Brera promotion video]
  * [http://www.breras.co.uk/ breras.co.uk]