Brera 3.2 S

Racing · Brera 3.2 S

Test-drove the Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 "S" today. Not particularly for long and only around South London but enough to get an impression.

It's a good-looking car - this one was carbonio black which looked great with the anthracite-finish wheels (which are gorgeous).

I sat in a normal Brera 3.2 (used) and didn't much like the interior - drab with dubious plastics, dubious finish and apparently not resisting wear and tear well. The interior of the S version is much better - the red-stitched black leather covering the dash, doors and centre-console really lifts the interior and the dark-metal finish is heaps better than the silver finish in the standard car. Up front it is comfortable but the rear space is still a complete joke though and only suitable for double-amputees. I was pleased to see that the boot at least has an external release (you press the rear Alfa roundel), the lack of which irritates on the GTA. The view through the rear window is poor.

The driving experience was a bit disappointing really. If that's the sharpened-up version then the normal 4wd version must be really soft - the Prodrive 3.2 is based on the 2wd version. I got back into my GTA and it was just much more responsive and alive. And sounded better. The Brera feels weighty and planted, and rides much better than the GTA on London's cratered tarmac but it's not especially sporting. There's a nice burbling growl from the exhaust and it growls well if you extend it but it's really quite muted and a bit strained compared with the GTA and not as appealing. The acceleration is good but not as strong as the GTA and the throttle response seemed initially rather soft. Nevertheless, it was not difficult to trigger wheelspin in the front wheels setting the yellow ASR light flickering. I appreciate that the roads were cold and greasy but this was a surprise. The gearshift is short and positive but the brakes felt fine but soft compared to the GTA.

So, overall I don't find it a particularly exciting car. Lovely-looking but just dynamically less uninspiring than you'd hope.

However, all was not lost. They had a lovely deepest blue-black 8C Coupe in the showroom and the salesman turned it on and blipped the throttle for me. Holy cow! What an amazing noise - utterly intoxicating! What a car.

PR

I still dislike the Brera but the 'S' does give its styling a much-needed lift. I even quite liked a red one I saw at the Auto Italia show at Gaydon last year.

As I mentioned elsewhere, I found the 3.2 V6 in the 159 that I sampled from the passenger seat courtesy of Colin a year or so ago to sound indescribably bland.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

I rather liked the Brera I tried last year, which was the five-pot diesel version. Agree about the comedy rear seats, and almost scary lack of all-round visibility, but that leads me to suspect the 159 would be a very nice car indeed. Though 260 bhp isn't enough for a range-topping version - hardly worth developing the 4wd system for.

SpecB

I was so tempted by a 159 with that engine when I bought mine. Never drove one as I dismissed it as too small really. MSN did an interesting comparison test though.

http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4694302

I do like the look of the Brera.

Nice Guy Eddie

was the 8C thye had in the showroom for sale and if so how much? Can't expect much change from 150k.

Humphrey The Pug

I'm not a fan of the Brera as they styling doesn't quite work for me, very agressive around the front but a big dumpy arse at the back.

Tina's friend has a convertible one, not sure in the engine but it won't be a disel or a V6, that is a much more attractive car and it's in a gorgeous blue too.

Mark

Racing

It's all personal taste and subjective........................................but the Brera IS good-looking. It's just a bit shyte to drive.

Humphrey The Pug

ALF

Interesting, cheers for the report. I love the idea of a Brera S but being slower and heavier than the GTA with a worse engine, it's unlikely to happen. The S spec on a lightened 4WD chassis plus a supercharger would be the only real consideration, but daft money (and anyway not available 4WD).

Sounds like the "electronic LSD" is about as much use as tits on a nun then, as always - a pity so many manufacturers persist with this idea and over-hype it. You'd have had to be pretty nutty to get the TC light flickering on my LSD-equipped car in town, and the torque-sensing nature of the diff means that progress is rarely impeded - you just see the flashing light, rather that suddenly slow and see the light. A shame Prodrive didn't put their foot down on that point.

The Brera is typical platform sharing nonsense IMHO. With the weights all about the same, I'd have the 159 3.2 SW over the Brera or 159 saloon - arguably the best looking of the lot in Ti trim too. Indeed should I race again and need a solid planted, ideally 4WD, estate tow car I will consider a 159 3.2 since they are daft value SH and fit the criteria well - though I'd assess the reliability first as with a second car to worry about, an unreliable daily driver is not a good plan.

Gurney

The 'S' could be the last of the line. With Luca De Meo's shock resignation yesterday the doomsayers are predicting that Alfa's death warrant has already been signed.

Possible I suppose, as far as I am concerned I have the best Alfa I can afford, certainly wouldn't chop it for a Brera or 159.