Alfa sets up Brera to boost fortunes

The likely model for New Zealand will be V6.

The Alfa Romeo Brera, the car intended to give new life to the company's reputation for desirable cars, will go on sale in New Zealand next year.

It replaces the GTV and is based on the Brera concept car unveiled at the 2002 Geneva motor show. It will the second car built on the company's new plaform. The first will be the 157 sedan, which has a slightly longer wheelbase than the Brera and is also due next year.

The Brera will come with optional front and all-wheel-drive and a choice of three engines: new 2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre V6 units, or a four-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel. Transmissions will be six-speed manuals or Selespeed automatics.

The likely model for New Zealand will be the premium V6 with all-wheel-drive.

It will be equipped with the latest Torsen centre differential, which sends about 60 per cent of drive to the rear wheels in normal road conditions to give the car a rear-drive bias, dynamics Alfa wants to compete with sporty German numbers.

Suspension is a double wishbone set-up at the front with a multi-link arrangement in the rear.

Alfa says the immensely stiff body has been designed to also benefit the convertible Spider version, due in 2007.

Meantime, Alfa Romeo importers Ateco Automotive NZ is launching its Alfa-Acess lease programmes with special deals on the Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso and the JTS model 156, starting at $599 a month.

"The aim of Alfa-Access is exactly as the name suggests, imparting a new level of easy access to the driving excitement that all Alfa Romeos provide," said Ateco general manager Chris Burger.