Review: Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 V6

The Spies say the Alfa line is Style defined...BEAUTIFUL!

These days, it's getting hard to find a nice, traditional performance coupé. In a world where engineers are building MPVs which drive like sports cars, and roadsters with off-tarmac potential, it's no wonder some experts are claiming the days of the plain and simple sporting GT are over.



Fortunately, such nonsense has yet to filter through to Alfa Romeo's design studios! Here, the only brief for a new car is to make it sexy, fast and desirable. The all-new Brera, which replaces the much-loved but ageing GTV, is an Alfa from the old school. Due to hit the UK next April, the powerhouse coupé will top the firm's restructured line-up.

Full review here

Matthew1 - 11/9/2005 10:09:15 PM

+1 Boost

It's undeniably stunning, but with a strong nod to Alfa's of old, has an instant character lacking from Japanese coupes.

Conservative American's may not warm to the shape, but hell, to my eyes, It's like automotive porn.

Bless Alfa Romeo.

Matthew1 - 11/10/2005 3:10:25 PM

+1 Boost

Jeremy Clarkson does not influence me in any way.

Agreed, the GT is a hot beast, but this takes it a step further.

Three top British car journalists can't be wrong.

Matthew1 - 11/10/2005 11:49:45 PM

+1 Boost

But in terms of engine, the basic 3.2 GM lump has been ripped of its insides, and replaced with Alfa-specific parts. Unfortunate that Alfa Romeo has to have links with Holden, but it had to be.

The chassis has been thoroughly Alfa-tweaked, and the interior/exterior is pure Alfa Romeo.

Besides, current Alfa Romeos are based on Fiats anyway. (no bad thing)

I have also heard that the GTA version of the Brera, along with AWD will be turbocharged.

Because I guarentee that your target weight of 1500kg is almost unatainable with a modern car with creature comforts, especially a AWD system.

Matthew1 - 11/11/2005 2:40:29 PM

+1 Boost

The Holden Commodore is the most over-rated piece of crap ever to grace the southern hemisphere.

You may be patriotic, which is respected, but it doesn't change the fact that the Commodore is basically a face-lifted Opel Omega, ripped of its good engines and replaced with (up until recently) dinosaur technology.

Matthew1 - 11/11/2005 2:52:08 PM

+1 Boost

And the interiors are poor quality and ill-fitting, and the HSV models are horiffically ugly.

Sorry, but it's true.

Matthew1 - 11/11/2005 10:27:19 PM

+1 Boost

Skippy is probably right.

I do believe the 159 and Brera are excellent achievements, and have met favourable reviews with critics. But will that be enough?

Ironic then, that the main critisism many critics have with the new models is that GM-derived engine.