ALFA ROMEO SPIDER

December 1, 2006 10:50 AM AWST

Although the all new Alfa Romeo Spider is based on the acclaimed Brera Coupe, it is much more than a roofless version of the Brera. The Spider is strictly a two seat sports car. It has been extensively styled at the rear to focus attention on its open top character, with pronounced rear wheel arches, a cover for the folded roof that is shaped to flow up towards the polished chrome roll bars in the form of a 'speedster' top

Two versions of the new Alfa Spider, starting with a RRP of $76,950, will be available with a choice of 2.2 litre JTS 136 kW four cylinder, and a 3.2 litre JTS 191 kW V6 engines. Both Spider versions are fitted with 6-speed manual gearboxes, whilst the Spider 3.2 V6 JTS is equipped with, as standard, Alfa Romeo's Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system. Q4 employs three differentials, with a self-locking Torsen C unit at the centre of the system which in normal conditions divides drive torque by a ratio of 57 per cent to the rear wheels and 43 per cent to the front. Sharing an all new platform and components with the Alfa 159, albeit on a 175 mm shorter wheelbase optimised for appropriate handling responses, the chassis of the new Alfa Spider combines a high double wishbone front suspension system with a new, sophisticated multi link rear configuration.