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Giugiaro-designed Brera prototype that won the hearts of the press and the general public, as the long list of prestigious international accolades reveals: 'Best of Show', assigned by Autoweek magazine at the Geneva Motor Show; 'Best of Show' in the Prototype category at the Villa d'Este Concorso D'Eleganza; 2 category prizes at Challenge Bibendum 2002, one as 'one of the most elegant cars in the world' and the title of 'the most fascinating car' conferred at the Super Car Rally 2002 from Paris to Monte Carlo. This very respectable CV has now been inherited by the new Alfa Brera due to go on sale at the end of 2005.The new model shares this quality with other Alfa Romeo cars within its category that are now remembered as milestones in the history of the motor car. From the 1900 SS to the Giulietta Sprint, from the Alfetta to the Giulia Sprint GT.

Main technical features

To start with, the Twin Phaser system adopts new cam lobes which allow the phase angle to be varied by 50° on both axes. This makes it possible to improve performance because the best phase can be chosen at all engine speeds, and to reduce consumption and emissions with partial loads, by the Miller cycle. This combustion system, which is based on the postponed opening and closing of the inlet and exhaust valves - extends the expansive phase (converting more heat into energy), guarantees internal EGR (by preventing the release of the last exhaust gases, full of unburned particles) and postpones the closure of the inlet valve (reducing pumping losses).

**Another peculiar feature of the 2.2 JTS engine on the Alfa Brera is the camshaft drive system which uses a chain:**unlike a conventional belt drive, this system has the advantage of not needing to be replaced during the lifespan of the engine. And to guarantee the performance one expects of an Alfa Romeo, the timing diaphragm has also been reviewed,adopting larger profiles which make it possible to achieve a maximum power output of 6500 rpm (the system is fine tuned to operate at over 7,000 rpm, the maximum rev speed allowed by the electronic speed limiter). And more.

Front suspension and steering

The new high wishbone layout adopted on the front suspension is the ideal solution to guarantee precise control of wheel movement, with a clearly defined steering axis. The architecture was borrowed from racing and endows the car with outstanding dynamic performance, and extremely sensitive, pinpoint steering.**The high double wishbone was already used on the 159 and has been further improved on the new Alfa Brera.**First of all, the steering axis was brought closer to the centre of the wheel, increasing the Ackerman level (to increase parallel wheel movement when steering) for better response when cornering, thanks to the steering which is the most direct in its category. The steering of the new Alfa Brera has an excellent ratio (12.7° steer for every degree of wheel steer) for an overall rotation of 2 1/4 turns of the steering wheel, which translates into a more direct response for the driver, more responsive steering and better stability control.

What is more, painstaking analysis of the matching of the steering geometry and the wheelarch volume, made it possible to achieve high steering angles even with the largest tyres, and this significantly improved the turning circle between kerbs (10.7 metres).Great attention was paid to the new wheel upright where it connects to the levers, exploiting the available space inside the rims in full, and this has significant advantages in terms of lateral rigidity,the size of the coaxial damper spring unit with dual tube shock absorber has been increased to improve its capacity to absorb road roughness,**the aluminium lower wishbone combines excellent structural characteristics and a much lower weight, the upper aluminium arm fits a pair of dry friction sliding bushes, a solution chosen because it is stronger and more reliable, and guarantees a more progressive action.**And finally, the suspension is connected to the chassis by a closed geometry frame which is stiffer than the previous solution which had a simple crossbeam.

Rear suspension

The new Multilink rear suspension allows wheel movement to be controlled in a sophisticated manner, achieving the best possible balance in terms of performance. The system with three levers and a transverse blade highlights the performance of the various components subject to longitudinal load, to improve the filtering of roughness and, under a lateral load, achieving faster responses, enhanced stability and extreme grip.

The rear suspension of the Alfa Brera now features:
--A higher anchorage point for the longitudinal link, which is now positioned higher than the centre of the wheel, allowing the suspension to perform a longer, more flexible stroke, with an optimal response when negotiating an obstacle.
--The aluminium upright, fitted with a third generation, extremely rigid hub, supports the connection bushes for the camber lever and the longitudinal link.
--The bi-tube spring-damper unit is larger than other conventional solutions, this achieves a better compromise between handling and comfort.
--The camber link, which allows the static camber to be adjusted and produces a geometry capable of guaranteeing a good camber recovery with wheel shake to ensure that the wheel rests perfectly on the road and wear is thus uniform, even when the car is pushed to the limit.
--The rear hydraulic bush guarantees excellent filtering of roughness, and allows the wheel to retract slightly when negotiating an obstacle.
--A high tensile steel crossbeam isolated from the bodyshell by four elastic bushes that dampen high frequency vibration.

The Alfa Romeo Q4 4-wheel drive system

The new Alfa Brera with the powerful 3.2 JTS offers the same 4x4 system with three differentials already adopted on the Alfa 159 Q4. This takes the form of the** ultra-new Twin Diff system that represents the latest development of the Torsen C.** The Brera's central differential is a Torsen C that encloses the front differential for the first time, a solution that ensures considerable benefits in terms of dimensions, weights and also performance. It exploits the forces set up by the front differential to increase its locking effect (35% during traction and 45% during release) to set up a self-locking effect on the front differential as well (up to 20%). The consequence of this is improved traction and cornering stability.

The basic torque distribution of the Q4 system is mainly to the rear (43/57) for greater sportiness. Due to its locking effect, the central differential is able to send drive torque to the axle with the best grip on the ground moment by moment. This allows the system to switch from the initial torque distribution pattern to a distribution pattern focused on the front (72/2θ) or a distribution focused on the rear (22/7θ) in fast, automatic and continuous manner according to the grip and slip levels of all four wheels. The Alfa Romeo Q4 four wheel drive system implements permanent, dynamic torque distribution over all four wheels to achieve the highest levels of active safety and sportiness. The Alfa Brera Q4 is four wheel drive Alfa Romeo style: an essentially mechanical system complemented by the most advanced electronics to assure maximum driving comfort together with optimum performance and total safety. The vehicle is absolutely cutting edge as far as engineering is concerned and offers significant benefits:

--The Q4's four wheel drive with advanced Torsen C self-locking differential (Twin Diff.) makes it possible to achieve improved roadholding, driving satisfaction and smooth responses.
--Preferential distribution to the rear axle also adds to driving satisfaction because it makes the car easier to handle while ensuring maximum stability when the car suddenly veers at top speed on the motorway, as can happen during emergency manoeuvres.
The ability to travel safely in poor grip conditions without the aid of electronics in torque split for constant driving satisfaction.

43χιλ η 2.2
49χιλ η 3.2

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