Here from $70K: Alfa's sexy new Brera coupe

FRESH from launching its all-new 159 sedan last week, Alfa Romeo has revealed full details of its second new-generation model, the Brera coupe, ahead of its official Australian release on June 16.

Two versions of the lithe Italian two-door will be available, with the front-drive 136kW 2.2-litre four-cylinder JTS variant opening the batting for Brera at $69,950 and the all-wheel drive 191kW 3.2-litre V6 JTS to be priced at $94,950 when it arrives here in late July.

Both variants will be available exclusively with six-speed manual transmissions and Alfa’s other coupe, the GT, will continue on sale alongside Brera.

While the 176kW 3.2-litre GT manual is priced almost $15,000 lower than the more powerful Brera V6 at $79,990, the 121kW 2.0-litre GT JTS Selespeed is priced exactly $5000 under the more powerful Brera 2.2.

However, it’s likely the entry-level GT coupe will come in for a hefty price cut of up to $10,000 to make it more attractive alongside its new-generation coupe stablemate.

Built by Pininfarina and designed jointly by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, Brera first emerged in concept guise at the 2002 Geneva motor show, where it was met with critical acclaim.

Based on the same all-new platform as the 159 but employing a 175mm-shorter 2528mm wheelbase, Brera also shares the sedan’s double wishbone front suspension and new multi-link rear suspension systems. It measures 4410mm long, 1830mm wide and 1341mm high.

Alfa claims both engines offer almost 90 per cent of peak torque from just 2000rpm thanks to their Jet Thrust Stoichiometric (JTS) direct fuel-injection system, which combines with continuously variable inlet and exhaust valve timing to meet strict EuroIV emissions standards.

Built by Holden in Melbourne and fitted with Alfa Romeo cylinder-heads, pistons, induction and exhaust systems in Italy, Brera’s all-alloy 3.195-litre 60-degree 24-valve V6 delivers 191kW at 6300rpm and peak torque of 322Nm at 4500rpm.

Debuting in the 159, in the 1630kg AWD Brera it claims 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h, along with combined average fuel consumption of 11.5L/100km and CO2 emissions of 273g/km.

Some 20 per cent lighter than the GT’s 2.0-litre four, the long-stroke 2.198-litre JTS 16-valve four delivers 136kW at 6500rpm and peak torque of 230Nm at 4500rpm, returns average combined fuel consumption of 9.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of 221g/km.

The 1470kg Brera 2.2 sprints to 100km/h in a claimed 8.8 seconds and has a claimed top speed is 222km/h.

Australian distributor Ateco Automotive has chosen to import the V6 exclusively with Alfa Romeo’s Q4 permanent all-wheel drive system, which utilises three differentials (including a self-locking Torsen C centre unit) and directs 57 per cent of available torque to the rear wheels in normal conditions. Up to 72 per cent of torque can be directed to the front wheels and a maximum of 78 per cent can be sent rearwards.

The entry-level 2.2 JTS is braked by 305mm ventilated front discs and 278 mm solid rear discs, while the 3.2 JTS features larger 330mm ventilated discs with Brembo four-piston monobloc aluminium callipers at the front and 292mm ventilated discs at the rear.

Brera’s speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system requires just 2.25 turns lock-to-lock, which is claimed to be the most direct in its class, and its turning circle is a tight 10.7 metres.

Standard safety features include no fewer than seven airbags (including a driver’s knee bag), seatbelt pre-tensioners, an integrated Fire Prevention System, Bosch 5.7 ABS, EBD, switchable VDC stability controlASR traction control, MSR engine braking modulation and a Hill Holder function.

Standard equipment includes Brera’s three-piece SkyView glass roof with sunshade, dual-zone climate-control, cruise control, multi-function trip computer, leather trim, remote central locking, fog lights, rear parking sensors, 18 x 8.0-inch spoked alloy wheels, 235/45-section tyres and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system with steering wheel controls and a 10-CD stacker.

The V6 ups the ante via standard premium Pieno Fiore sports leather, power-adjustable and heated front seats, driver’s seat memory, Xenon headlights with washers, a 570-watt Bose audio system, Bluetooth telephone preparation and unique CloverLeaf alloy wheels.

Metallic paint is an expensive $1750 option for both variants (eight of the 10 available paint colours are metallic) and Brera 2.2 buyers must pay an extra $3250 for the privilege of powered/heated front seats.

Inside, the 2+2-seater coupe offers a reach and height-adjustable steering wheel, an electronic key-activated engine start button, extensive carpet soundproofing, 5mm-thick front side window glazing and a 60/40-split folding rear seat with centre armrest and ski-port to access the 300-litre boot, which in the 2.2 extends to 610 litres with the rear seat folded.

The AWD Brera V6’s boot 64 litres smaller at just 236 litres and extends to 566 litres (including a 20-litre "cargo box").

Brera will some with a choice of three two-tone interior trim options: black/grey, blue/tobacco and red/beige.

2006 Alfa Romeo Brera pricing:

Brera 2.2 JTS manual - $69,950
Brear 3.2 JTS manual - $94,950