After making a further analysis of the first photographs of the Alfa Romeo Spider, recently taken in Italy, it has become clear that the car featured in our March 24th article was in fact diesel powered.

The Alfa Romeo Spider prototype has the text S.E 2.4 hand written on the windscreen, giving away solid details of the prototypes’ technical specifications. Contrary to what we suggested earlier, the prototype is not fitted with a V6 engine, however features a five-cylinder 2.4 JTD. The internally code-named CDS 20 valve, direct injection diesel engine, has a power output of 200 bhp.

Whether this engine is fitted purely on an experimental basis is unknown, however what is clear is that the engine was not initially planned to be available in the Spider model range. A diesel engine would be ideally suited to this car, and would serve a niche segment where demand has been increasing recently.

In similar fashion to the other models in the Project 946 Brera range, a six-speed gearbox is also fitted to the 2.4 JTD model, in this case the manual F40-6m unit.
 

 Power is transferred through the front wheels on this particular model, although handling is still expected to be impressive due to the advanced suspension layout.

Equally interesting are the surroundings of the main subject in the photographs, with none of the cars parked in the proximity bearing number plates of any kind. An Alfa Romeo 159 is also on scene, as well as the obvious two white Fiat Doblo vans.

Endless rows of cages filled with alloy wheels and tyres are sited in the background of one of the photographs, providing a strong hint of the use of this test base as a handling development facility.