Salonstar Alfa Romeo Brera
09/09/2022
It was in March 2002 when an Alfa RomeoCoupé by Giugiaro was shown at the Geneva Motor Show alongside various other concept cars. The AR wrote in its 10/2002 issue :
"The name was not yet known at the time of going to press. But the photos promise a very successful coupé design with a massive front, powerful wheels and a stocky rear. Giorgetto Giugiaro wanted to create a high-performance sports car without having to adhere to the specifications of existing models. The drive is provided by a V8 installed behind the front axle, which transmits its power to a 6-speed gearbox positioned in front of the rear axle (transaxle design). This is the 4254 cc engine from the latest Maserati models and the electro-hydraulic sequentially operated transmission from Magneti-Marelli. The body is made of carbon fiber material, and another special feature is the sloping wing doors."
I then went to the Geneva Motor Show myself and saw the Alfa Romeo Brera as a Giugiaro prototype. Impressive! And I also liked the technology.
Almost three years later, the Brera went into series production and, at first glance, hardly anything had changed. Under the beautiful shell, however, everything was different. AR wrote in issue 5/2005:
" Nothing has happened to the rear-wheel drive that the 2002 study had, and nothing to the eight-cylinder engine either. What has remained, however, is the name Brera and the shape, which is beguiling from every angle. "
This can still be confirmed today. The Brera was a good choice and even with the Alfa technology that was common at the time, it is still an attractive car today. Even if some people rightly mourn the swing doors and the V8.
But the Maserati technology was later available in the 8C. Incidentally, the market launch of the Brera was announced in February 2005 for the end of the year and that was also around 17 years ago! So the coupé is not yet a youngtimer, but it won't be long now.
Why did we come up with this idea? We have just published the 2005 edition of Automobil Revueand there are other classic cars of the future to admire ...
