The new Alfa Romeo Brera sportscar was presented to the press at Balocco yesterday ahead of its official Italian launch scheduled for early in January 2006. The Giorgetto Giugiaro-styled model, which adheres closely to the designers much-lauded concept car - will be engineered by Pininfarina (who were previously responsible for building the outgoing GTV and Spider models), and will initially be available with either 2.2-litre JTS or 3.2-litre V6 engine options. Swiftly following its domestic launch, the Brera will be rolled out across Europe from March 2006.

The 4.4 metre long, 2.2-litre JTS engined version will offer 185bhp (at 6,500rpm) and 235Nm of torque (at 4,500rpm), will achieve a top speed of 222km/h, and dash from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds. Meanwhile the range-topping 3.2-litre V6 version - also fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox - will offer 260bhp (at 6,200rpm) and 322 Nm torque (at 4,500rpm), a top speed of 240km/h, and achieve 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds.
 

A 200bhp 2.4-litre turbodiesel is due in March 2006, while the end of next year is expected to see the arrival of a lightweight, very powerful GTA version, and a high-performance 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel. Around 200 million euros in investment has been spent on bringing the Brera to the market, and it is the second significant new model launch from Alfa Romeo (the Alfa 159 arrived in September) during the second half of this year.

Alfa Romeo are targeting 45 percent of all Brera sales to take place in Italy next year, with the remaining 55 pct to be spread out across Europe. Prices will start at 34,000 euros and rise to 45,000 euros for the highest-specification versions, which will include the 'Sky View' (crystal roof), an option that is expected to prove to be very popular.