First and foremost, the Brera is a 3-door 2+2 coupé tailored for the H segment. The car measures 4.411 mm long, 1.830 mm wide, 1.369 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2.528 mm. The boot volume is 240 litres, which can be expanded to 550 litres by folding the rear seats. It will enter production in July 2005 for a launch in October / November 2005.
The platform has its origins with Progetto 939 (the Alfa 156 replacement currently referred to as the Alfa 159) and uses a modified Premium platform with a shortened wheelbase.
In short, the Brera offers an unmistakable design of high emotional impact, with alloy wheels throughout the range, a dashboard designed around the driver, bi-xenon headlamps, sports seats, sporty road-holding, interiors characterised by a sporty finish and the option of a glass panoramic roof.
Under the skin, there is a quadrilateral wishbone suspension set up at the front and multilink suspension at the rear. Other details include a hill holder and integral drivetrain as standard on the 3.2 V6. Another notable feature is the 6-speed transmission fitted to every model, whereas later Selespeed and automatic versions will have controls on the steering wheel. The GTA version will have drilled disk brakes.
On launch, there will be two models, both using new engines from the transition period of Fiat-GM Powertrain (FPG) which has recently been subject to the GM-Fiat break up. A third launch model will follow shortly afterwards.
The base model will be the 2.2 JTS, using the L850 GDI, 2.198 cc EURO 4 unit, pumping out 190 bhp with 235 Nm. This will be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and will represent the entry-level model right through until the demise of the Brera in the last quarter of 2011.
For an increase of € 7.500 there will be the 3.2 V6 4x4, using the HF GDI EURO 4 unit with 260 bhp producing 336 Nm of torque. Initially this will only be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission until a 6-speed automatic arrives in the last quarter of 2006.
This model actually has a contained value of € 10.000 over the entry-level 2.2 JTS, with a price breakdown as follows: 4x4 € 3.500, 75 bhp increase € 4.500, V6 engine € 2.000. For € 2.000 extra there will be a Selespeed option available on the 3.2 V6 4x4 from the last quarter of 2006.
The Brera will go head-to-head with the Audi TT, Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z4. The Brera alternatives will undercut each of these cars by about 2.000 euros; € 2.280, € 1.872 and € 2.200 respectively.
The proven 20-valve 5-cylinder 2.387 cc 2.4 JTD will arrive in the Brera from early 2006 and, although initially planned to be available only with a 6-speed manual transmission, various prototypes have been spotted with a 6-speed automatic box fitted instead.
For the entry-level 2.2 JTS and 2.4 JTD there is the ‘Medium’ package, which includes mono-zone manual air-conditioning, 16” alloy wheels and 225/55 R16 tyres, Easy Go, electric rear view mirrors, floccato upholstery, VDC, board computer, radio CD, knee-bag for both driver and passenger, galvanised finish on the centre console and parking sensors on the rear bumper. This package will not be available on higher-output models. For an increase of € 2.000 (although a contained value of € 3.000), there is either the ‘High’ or ‘Sky View’ package.
The well equipped High package will come with dual zone automatic air-conditioning, 17” alloy wheels, audio controls on the steering wheel, visibility pack, cruise control, electric folding rear view mirrors, Alfatex interior finish, aluminium finish on the centre console and Bluetooth. For the same price as the High package, there is also the stunning “Sky View” package. Here, there is a panoramic glass roof (as on the original Brera concept), “17 alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, audio controls on the steering wheel, electric folding rear view mirrors, Alfatex interior finish and aluminium finish on the centre console.
After the introduction of the 3.2 V6 4x4 Selespeed in October 2006, the next in line will be the 3.0 V6 JTD 4x4 in the second quarter of 2007. This model will be offered only with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The VM unit will deliver 250 bhp and 550 Nm at a price increase of € 8.000 over the 2.4 JTD. The contained value is € 10.500, broken down as follows: 4x4 € 3.500, 50 bhp increase € 3.000, automatic transmission € 2.000, V6 engine € 2.000.
The GTA version will be the last model to be introduced before the facelift in 2008, and is scheduled for launch in October 2007. The GTA will offer the 3.2 V6 with Selespeed transmission, twin turbochagers and EURO 5, producing 405 bhp and 680 Nm of torque. The GTA will be fitted with 18” alloy wheels and, as stated before, drilled disc brakes.
Alongside the Brera will be the Pininfarina-built Spider version, to be produced from December 2005 and to be introduced on the market from March 2006. The price increase for the Spider will be around € 2.500 to € 3.000 over the coupé. This car will make its debut either at the Frankfurt IAA in October, or at the Bologna Motor Show in December. Initially the Spider will be represented by the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 4x4 models, and will be offered only with 6-speed manual gearboxes. An automatic version of the 3.2 V6 will appear in March 2007. The GTA Spider will arrive, alongside the Brera coupé, in October 2007 with Selespeed transmission.
The Spider will also be offered with the Medium and High packages and, as with the coupé, the model be discontinued in the last quarter of 2011.
Also ich bin schon mal am sparen für 2007!
