Alfa Romeo has a record, longer and stronger than most, of offering a coupe alongside a saloon, often with more than one choice at a time. The 105 series Giulia saloon and Sprint coupes, the Alfetta family had the wonderful GTV, there was the Alfasud Sprint, the 146 and 147 were offered in parallel with the 916 series Spider and GTV, related to the more compact 146, and also the Alfa GT related to the larger 156. And there was the gorgeous Alfa Romeo 159 saloon (2004-2011) as the sensible alternative to the Alfa Romeo Brera, perhaps the best looking coupe of this century? Strong claim, and personal preference, but I’ve got a point haven’t I?
The Brera (Alfa Romeo Tipo 939) was offered from 2005 to 2010 and was one of the few tangible results of the slightly intriguing partnership between GM and Fiat. Intriguing, because there was no obvious stronger leader in arrangement, unlike the PSA/GM Europe agreement that superseded it for example. The 159 and Brera were eventually the only production applications of the GM/Fiat beyond the supermini Opel Corsa/Fiat Punto pairing. The original intention was for SAAB, Opel/Vauxhall and Buick models to also use this platform, known as GM/Fiat Premium Platform. One by one, these potential uses were deferred or cancelled, leaving just the 159 and Brera to make it to production, inevitably affecting the economics of the exercise.
Technically, there were no major surprises in this platform. Transverse engine, front or four wheel drive, wishbone front suspension with rack and pinion steering and multi link rear suspension. For the saloon 159, the engine options were from 1.75 4cylinder to 3.2 litre V6 – not the Busso V6 sadly, but an engine derived from a GM high feature V6, used by the Cadillac CTS, STS, some Holdens and some Chinese Buicks amongst others. There were also some diesel options, including 1.9 and 2 litre 4 cylinders and a 2.4 litre 5 cylinder diesel, part of the Fiat JTD family and shared with other Alfa, Fiat and Lancia products.
The Brera, named after the artistic quarter of Milan – you could think of a Citroen Montmartre as a parallel, was originally seen as a Giugiaro concept in 2002, and the reaction was such that Alfa announced plans in produce it. The 159, also styled by Giugiaro, was the obvious base, and the results, though calmer than the concept, can perhaps be best described as stunning, graceful, elegant and distinctive.
For the Brera, the wheelbase of the 159 was cut by 7 inches, to the detriment of rear legroom. Ahead of the windscreen, little was changed, but aside from the visual success, there were some issues.
All the cars were arguably too heavy – the 4 cylinders weighed in at 3500lb/1600kg, the V6 a little more with the four wheel drive (Q4) option. Both versions had too much body roll, the 4 cylinder front wheel drive cars understeered too and suffered from torque steer as well. The V6 cars avoided that at least, but still suffered from being too heavy, and were out performed in a straight line by a 2.2 litre Audi TT.
British rally car specialists Prodrive devised, with Alfa’s agreement, a UK market only version known as the Brera S, with lowered suspension, bespoke Eibach springs and Bilstein gas-filled monotube dampers and some detail visual tweaks. The V6 S did without the four wheel drive hardware as well, but even so the car still got a mixed, even disappointing reception. The V6 was fine on track, but on a public road the stiffer damping did not nothing to help, and there was more torque steer too. The four-cylinder cars were better, with much improved body control at the expense of a slightly stiffer ride.
Against the Audi, the Brera had the advantage of being a four seater, in theory at least. In reality, the rear quarters were very cramped for all but the very small, even if the boot was larger. Visually, the interior was almost as good as the exterior, especially if the correct options were ticked. Leather dashboard option anyone?
Total sales over six years of the Brera were 22,000 and another 12,000 for the Spyder derivative.
Our feature car is a 2006 2.4 litre JTD diesel. A 5 cylinder diesel engine Alfa coupe? May be not the stereotype, but perhaps well suited to the times in the European market. Visually, it certainly stands comparison with its Alfa forebears and out pointed its competitors, but the dynamics held it back.
Alfa Romeo effectively replaced the 159, discontinued in 2011, with the 2016 Giulia saloon, with a reversion to rear wheel drive. The Brera has not been replaced – alongside the Giulia and sharing its platform is not a coupe but the Stelvio SUV – a good car but still an SUV.
So, is the Brera the last Alfa Romeo coupe? Can Alfa Romeo be complete with a coupe? May be time will tell, maybe the times will dictate the answer, but it cannot be denied that if coupe excellence is dependent on the visual impression, then Alfa Romeo (and Giugiaro) scored very highly. Again.
As the past owner of two RWD Alfa’s, I had finally gotten used to the idea of a FWD Alfa by the year 2000 or so, though they were only sold here in 164 guise. When I started reading about diesel Alfa’s, it seemed like cognitive dissonance, through admittedly even the older Alfa DOHC fours were not exactly revver’s, so a diesel’s power band might have worked very nicely with Alfa’s precise handling but not razor-edge handling. But regardless of technology, the 155, 156, 159 and their coupe versions were generally stunning. Too bad we never got them 🙁
I think this Brera is just short of stunning. I can’t help but wonder what its proportions might have looked like if that 7″ of wheelbase hadn’t been cut – not to mention the usability of its rear seat. The interior shot shows it to be a work of art on the inside, as well.
I was expecting something different when I originally clicked on this article – I had no idea there was going to be a GM connection.
Nice find and write-up, Roger.
I’ll take one in the exact same color and configuration please. It appears like an Edo period samurai with its determined front end face and just enough aggression to let you know it means business. Brea’s design has pulled at my heart more than any other hot hatch over the last 30 years. Here in the states I knew we would never get these. While my heart wanted the Brea and could learn to accommodate it’s quirks I ended up with a Volvo C30 instead. But in my eyes nothing beats the Brea’s well tailored Italian look when it comes to a hot hatch.
After 14 years my 159 2.2 jts selespeed just as much admired and driving as new. For me the selespeed with paddle gear shift really makes for a great drive. Has been much criticised, but I think unjustly.
I love the 159, and I like the Brera from the nose to the ‘C’ pillar – but there just isn’t enough car behind the ‘C’ pillar. It needs more rear overhang to balance the long front overhang.
Roger,
Why are you saying that it’s the last Alfa Romeo coupe? What about Alfa Romeo 4C?
Goodness – imagine my shock when my Google feed presents a ‘Brera’ article and casually scrolling down…there is my blue Brera!
And yes all those great points about the Brera are true.
After a mild flirtation a few years ago about owning a Maserati 3200, I spotted NH06 in the UK Autotrader and I knew it was the best looking car ever. In Misano blue, it is no wonder a lot of the early Alfa promo shows the car in this colour. It really suits it.
Yes I have had to replace the rear suspension arms, but apart from that no other serious expenses. And hey, she is 16 years old!
My original thought was for weekend use, but it is such a special car I can never resist and mix every other day with my other daily driver!
Roger – well done on a lovely piece about the marks history.
It was always only going to appeal to a smallish audience and only 4 years in Alfa sales rooms proved the point. In my view the motoring media were (and are) so hung up too, on emphasising the driving specs, (speed, ride etc) that design and aesthetics are always downplayed. This has been to the detriment of Alfa’s bank balance, but the benefit of those who want more from a vehicle than eurobox (&these days worldwide) commonality.
I think I recognise where you took the pics, which place it a couple of years ago, but NH06 still takes a grand photo today. (For those interested, the internal photo of two tone grey & tan is not NH06 – all grey in reality – but of course (some would say flashy) coloured leather interiors were available.)
One last comment: Frank Stephenson designer of the modern Mini, X5, Ferrari 430 etc no less, quotes the Brera as one of his all time favourite cars. And he should know.
The concept car was quite the business, but when I saw a real car, I was very let down. For me, it is too wide for the length, and the rear has an unfortunate resemblance to an egg.
Here’s some odd trivia for you. Did you know that the V6 for these Alfas were made right here in Melbourne, by Holden? The Alfa jobs got direct injection (and different heads, I think) in Italy, and sounded vastly better than the thrashy GM effort, but interestingly enough, made not much more power.