Alfa Romeo - 2006 Alfa Romeo Brera
Base Price : 22,800 $
Top Speed mph (km/h) 149 mph
From concept to production, the Brera has grown in length and height. It's now 4,414 mm (173.8 in.) long, 1,830 mm (72.1 in.) wide and 1,372 mm (54.0 in.) high, as opposed to the show car, which measures 4,390 mm (172.8 in.) long, 1,890 mm (74.4 in.) wide and 1,290 mm (50.8 in.) tall. While entry and exit won't be done through scissor-type doors, the Brera does keep the fixed panoramic glass roof of the concept.
"The interior has an ambience that is both cozy and sophisticated". Through the use of high quality materials and novel designs. If current Alfa products and the Brera concept are any indication, the production version should rank amongst the best for build, as well as delivering a rich, luxurious feel that nothing this side of a Maserati could match.
The Brera will be built with three different engines, including powerplants from the company's own engine bank, as well as drawing from the extensive GM-Fiat engine range. Unfortunately, the concept's Ferrari/Maserati-derived V8 powerplant won't be on the list, and neither will the Selespeed sequential manual gearbox.
Alfa-speak for direct-injection. Buyers can also select a more powerful 260- horsepower, 3.2-litre V6 developed. Unfortunately, the concept's Ferrari/Maserati-derived V8 powerplant won't be offered in the production version. This motor is a part of GM's modular V6 family, and shares some of its components with the larger 3.6-litre unit found in the Cadillac CTS and the Saturn Aura concept.
As with the GT Coupe, Alfa also intends to offer a turbo diesel powerplant for the Brera. As a general rule of thumb, it's been thought that sports cars and diesels aren't to be mixed, but many automobile manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and BMW have utilized diesels in their sports cars. The concept itself is very logical; with mountain-moving amounts of torque and 240 horsepower on tap, the 2.4-litre JTD turbodiesel motor could very well make this the fastest Alfa currently in production without the devastating fuel bill.
Alfa has worked hard to develop the 'Q4' power delivery system to seriously challenge the Germans through permanent all-wheel drive. Since its move to front- wheel drive, Alfa has once again reached the limits of power with the 156 GTA.
To get the upper hand on whatever the road dishes out, the Q4 system is completely adaptable. Should snow or rain compromise traction, the Torsen differential can shift up to 70 percent of the power to the rear wheels, or up to 60 percent to the front wheels.
The advanced all-wheel drive system will be standard equipment on the more powerful JTD and V6 models, while the entry-level JTS will make do with front-wheel drive. Advanced traction and electronic systems which monitor braking and road holding will also provide an added edge in all driving conditions.