Straight after the launch of the handsome Alfa 159 saloon, Alfa Romeo unveiled their long-awaited successor to the Alfa Romeo GTV, the Alfa Brera.

This basically embodies the production version of the Italdesign-Giugiaro concept presented in 2001, with its unique and practical styling aiming to take the H-segment by storm. It will, we are quite confident, succeed in doing nothing else but this when it hits the showrooms later on this year.

A striking top-of-the-range 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 in traditional Rosso Alfa with black leather interior and 18 inch alloy wheels was presented to the awaiting press. Jaws dropped as the covers came off: the car is that beautiful.

One thing that has to be realised is that this is a production car, to be offered at an affordable price at dealerships across countries were Alfa Romeo’s are sold. In fact, it is with this car and the new Alfa 159, which Alfa Romeo hopes to enter new markets with, including the United States in the near future.

The fit and finish was, as on the Alfa 159, perfect in every respect. From the front, with the menacing bi-xenon headlamp projectors, to the rear with the quad chrome-tipped exhaust system, this car is a real Gran Turismo. From its looks alone it could go head-to-head with sportscars in much higher price brackets, such as the Porsche 911. It is that beautiful.

The 2+2 interior, set off by the optional ‘Sky View’ full glass roof, is gorgeous. You sit low down, with the dashboard encapsulating the driver. The interior is wide and luxurious, and well equipped with every conceivable standard and optional extra on offer.
 

Fine aluminium detailing makes sections of the interior look as if they have been lifted straight from the 8C Competizione prototype, and everything is perfectly angled for class-leading ergonomics.

The interior is a designer’s masterpiece in good taste; the perfect luxury without the added emotional extravagance that so often spoils the excellent sobriety of a functional cockpit. The rear legroom is, however, limited and this is how the Brera makes a difference to its sister, the true 4-seat Alfa GT Coupe.

The Brera’s hatchback rear boot is also extremely practical, with a loading capacity of 240 litres, a figure that increases to 550 litres when the rear seats are folded.

Couple the beauty with the wide range of engines, including a 20-valve 2.4 JTDM with particle filter to meet Euro 5 regulations (although it has only Euro 4 classification), the Brera is also a realistic proposal. A dream come true for those who cover large distances and prefer the low-end torque that modern Alfa Romeo turbo diesels offer in spades.

Here we have a production Alfa Romeo that enthusiasts could have never dreamed of one decade ago. It is a car that surpasses the imagination and desire of any car enthusiast, a car that people will love and respect. A true Alfa Romeo.

By James Granger & Edd Ellison in Geneva