Italdesign's Brera Wore the Alfa Romeo Badge at the Request of Fiat Execs
Much ado has been made about the future return of Fiat owned Alfa Romeo to North America, an event every import performance car fan can't wait to see happen.
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| Every import performance car fan is anticipating Alfa Romeo's return to North America, and can't wait to check out their flagship coupe and spyder convertible. (Photo: Alfa Romeo) |
While the automaker's sport hatchbacks and sedans are beautifully styled and dynamically sporty, the cars that will once again position Alfa on everybody's radar will be their flagship coupe and spyder convertible. Based on the Italdesign Brera concept (see Alfa Romeo Brera Special in concept car section of this web site), an award winning Giorgetto Giugiaro design, a new hardtop will debut about the same time as the brand makes the voyage across the Atlantic, about 2006 or 2007.
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| While the new coupe won't have the Maserati underpinnings and Lamborghini style scissor-type doors of the Brera concept, it will stay true to the prototype's basic design and be relatively affordable. (Photo: Alfa Romeo) |
The Brera uses Maserati underpinnings, including its 4.2-L V8, but the production car's innards will be comprised of more affordable components. This has Brera fans, and there are a lot of them, concerned about Alfa's finished product. Cost cutting, certification requirements, and the use of Alfa-based architecture could change the shape of the sexy model, reducing its appeal. Alfa Romeo officials are only saying that every precaution is being taken to retain the original concept's proportions.
Most Alfisti won't mind the exclusion of the Brera's Lamborghini Murciélago style scissor-type doors, as more conventional 'portas' will bring the price closer to reality. Conventional doors will also allow fully opening windows, a feature we've all become rather accustomed to.