Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 V6 Prodrive S

Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 V6 Prodrive S

The Alfa Romeo Brera, introduced in 2005, was one of the most beautiful cars of the 2000s. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign, based on his stunning 2002 concept car, the Brera was a head-turning coupe that drew admiring glances wherever it appeared. It won numerous design awards and was widely regarded as one of the finest automotive designs of the decade.

However, the Brera's beauty concealed a fundamental compromise. Based on the Fiat/GM Premium platform shared with the Vauxhall/Opel Vectra, the production car was significantly heavier than intended and lacked the dynamic sharpness that its design promised. The V6 version weighed over 1,600 kilograms, a significant impediment to spirited driving.

The 3.2-liter V6 engine, producing 260 horsepower, was paired with Q4 all-wheel drive in the range-topping specification. While the engine was smooth and characterful, it struggled to overcome the car's considerable weight, and the driving experience was more grand touring than sports car. The six-speed manual gearbox was adequate but lacked the precision of the best in class.

In 2008, Prodrive, the British motorsport engineering firm, was engaged to develop a limited-edition chassis upgrade package. The Prodrive S featured revised spring and damper rates, a lower ride height, wider wheels and tires, and recalibrated steering. The result was a significantly more engaging car that began to deliver the dynamic promise of its design, though the fundamental weight issue remained.

A Spider version of the Brera was also produced, offering open-air motoring with the same mechanical specification. The Spider's extra structural reinforcement added further weight, making it more of a stylish cruiser than a sporting convertible.

The Brera remains a fascinating what-if in Alfa Romeo's history. Had it been built on a lighter, more sporting platform, it could have been one of the great driver's coupes. Instead, it serves as a beautiful and increasingly affordable classic that rewards sympathetic driving with Italian style and V6 character.