First Look: Land Rover Freelander It's hard to beat a passionate Italian, especially with the top down. Daniel Attwood reports
Even after 80 years, the Alfa Romeo Spider will still stir long-forgotten emotions in even the most ardent German sportscar fans.
Italian drop-tops have something that the Germans can only dream of - pure passion. Granted, the passion of the design is sometimes at the expense of the quality of the fittings, but the overall effect is always stunning.
Now we have the latest Italian soft-top from the house of Alfa Romeo and Pininfarina to admire - the Spider, which is crafted from the already gorgeous body of the Brera coupé.
All indications are that the new Spider - a name that is a corruption of the term Speeder - will be available here at a premium of €4,000 over the Brera coupé, which starts at €48,000.
What is certain is that we will get just one engine at launch - the Fiat family's 185bhp 2.2-litre JTS, which is seen in the 159. It is predicted that the 260bhp 3.2-litre V6 petrol, which already powers the GT as well as the Brera, will arrive in Ireland shortly after the car's launch. In addition, a diesel unit will eventually also be slotted under the Spider's bonnet, possibly by 2008, although, not surprisingly, Alfa Romeo remains tight-lipped about this.
While only the 2.2-litre will be available at the Spider's Irish launch, which is expected in the autumn, for true sports car fans it may be worth waiting for the transversally mounted 3.2-litre, not least because it is coupled to Alfa's four-wheel drive system, Q4. While performance is not breathtaking - it takes seven seconds to get to 100km/h - it is the overall experience of reaching motorway speeds that more than makes up for a few microseconds delay.
The four-wheel drive system has an in-built bias for rear-wheel drive which means, in full traction conditions, 72 per cent of torque is routed through the rear axle. As traction is compromised, this rate varies down to just 22 per cent to the rear. This all happens automatically, thanks to a Torsen C self-locking three-differential set-up.
While four-wheel drive adds greatly to the driving experience, it does have disadvantages. Fuel consumption and mechanical wear will be greater in the 4x4. In addition, the weight of the bigger 3.2 engine and the all-wheel drive system means this range-topping Spider has 160kg more to shift than its 2.2-litre sibling. This is good news for Irish customers who, because of our punitive tax system, will initially only get the smaller engined version. It is obviously not as fast - 8.8 seconds to 100km/h - or as well equipped.
And it is also front-wheel drive, which is a disappointment but expected, as it uses the same running gear as the Brera. Both models also come with a six-speed manual box, which is smooth and accurate if a little long. However, Alfa indicated that it could well introduce an automatic version shortly.
Both models also come with excellent braking capability that will stop the car with reassuring confidence and speed, although there is a lack of feedback or progression on any braking scenarios in between. Driving the two versions back-to-back provided a real chance to see whether that 4x4 system is worth the additional outlay. Grip is undeniably greater, although the front-wheel drive had no problems coping with twisting Sicilian mountain roads.
What was noticeable with the Spider is body shake on poor surfaces. While this is not going to be an issue that will detract greatly from driver enjoyment, it is still evident.
Alfa Romeo spends an inordinate amount of time tuning the sound from its engines to perfect that sports car note. And the Spider is no exception. However, while it is a beautiful sound on an open road, the drone at a constant 3,500 revs will begin to become slightly irksome on a daily commute, especially if one also has the pitter-patter of heavy rain on the cloth roof.
Safety and equipment levels are as expected from a car in this category. There are some surprises, however, such as the Blue&Me in-car entertainment and communication package, which was developed with Microsoft, that is only an option.
But who wants to talk on the phone when driving the Spider? This car is all about enjoying driving to its fullest, which is probably why in Alfa's home market of Italy there is a Spider insurance option that will cover the cost of "any inconvenience you may suffer from losing your licence".
Alfa has no plans to introduce such a scheme here, despite the growing number of drivers totting up points on their licences.
FactFile
Model Two-seat soft-top coupé
Cost €52,000 (est)
Engines 185bhp 2.2-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission 6-speed manual, 0 to 100km/h: 8.8 secs
Top speed 217km/h
Fuel consumption (combined l/100km) 9.4 (2.2-l version)