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The new Spider J6 3.2 C is
Autodelta’s no-compromise interpretation of the stunning
Alfa Spider, which collected the prestigious accolade of
‘Cabrio of the Year’ upon its launch at the 2006 Geneva
Motor Show. It is Autodelta’s second bespoke model to be
based on the exciting ‘new generation’ of Alfa Romeo
models, and its market arrival follows the very
successful launch of the Autodelta Brera J5 3.2 C just
over a year ago.
The Autodelta Spider J6 3.2 C once again
redefines the company’s pursuit of the maximum performance
and driving pleasure to be drawn from Alfa Romeo’s
production models, and is the culmination of more than a
year’s intense research and development as well as
engineering innovation. It evolves from the Brera J5 3.2 C
programme, however, it offers new specification in areas
pertaining to a convertible sports car as well as unique and
individual styling cues.
In line with a new generation of model
designations, introduced with the Brera J5, and created to
classify bespoke Autodelta models in a logical and
progressive manner, the new Spider project becomes the first
bearer of the J6 code. The ‘C’ tag designates ‘Compressore’.
Engine
Glorious, powerful, responsive – the V6
engine is at the heart of Alfa Romeo’s sporting ambitions.
But time simply doesn’t stand still, and after three decades
one of the most beloved automotive masterpieces, the ‘Arese
V6’, has given way to an all-new 3.2-litre V6 engine which
brings with it fresh challenges for Autodelta’s engineering
team.
Twenty years experience developing Alfa
Romeos has enabled our engineers to take this new unit and
utilise a carefully developed integral supercharging system.
First seen on the Brera J5 3.2 C which debuted last autumn,
this highly potent package now finds its way under the
bonnet of the Spider J6 3.2 C. At the heart of the robust
yet lightweight, no compromise integrated supercharging
system is the C30-94 unit supplied by Technical Partner,
Rotrex. This unit is considered to be the most responsive
supercharger available today, noted for its durability,
light weight and compact format. It is already
performance-proven having been used in supercars such as the
world record breaking Koenigsegg CCR.
From a standard power output of 260 bhp @
6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 322 Nm @ 4,500 rpm, the
Spider J6’s V6 engine to now turns out 348 bhp (an increase
of 88 bhp) and 430 Nm of torque (an extra 108 Nm), all
delivered in a useable, responsive and smooth manner. The
Autodelta Spider J6 3.2 C races from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to
62.5 mph) in a highly impressive 5.4 seconds (standard
model: 7.0 seconds), while it hits a top speed of 260 km/h
(161 mph); compared to the standard model’s 239 km/h (149
mph). An entirely new bespoke stainless steel exhaust has
been developed in conjunction with Technical Partner
Ragazzon to maximise exhaust gas flow.
Suspension
The chassis dynamics have been re-worked
to provide optimum handling and ability to use the
additional power without compromise. Again the Spider J6 3.2
C draws from the experience gained during the realisation of
the Brera J5 3.2 C. This has seen our development cars
running this summer on tracks such as Silverstone,
Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring. The suspension
advances of the Brera J5 3.2 C has been evolved to suit the
different characteristics of the Spider, which is a soft top
and offers less chassis rigidity than its coupé sister. This
means that the Brera J5 derived coilovers have been re-valved
to offer excellent ride comfort whilst improving handling.
Tyres
An intensive tyre development programme
has been carried out by Autodelta in conjunction with
Dunlop, both in the UK, and at Dunlop’s tyre research
facility at Hanau, Germany, saw the evaluation of suitable
compounds and the adaptation of the tyres to the very
specific multi-surface requirements of the Brera J5 3.2 C.
The outstanding properties of the SP Sport Maxx pattern
which has led to numerous race track victories and very good
rankings in car magazine tests as well as to its
homologation on very demanding cars as the 420bhp Jaguar XK
8 supercharged were deemed a perfect fit to the Brera J5 3.2
C.
Contrary to some other Alfa Romeo tuners
or wheel manufacturers, which tend to use very low section
heights (235/35 R 19 or 245/30 R 20) the Dunlop engineers
evaluated the requirements of the Brera J5 3.2 C and chose
for the 245/35 ZR 19 (93Y) XL, which offers in relation to a
19” tyre still excellent comfort and damping properties and
– even more important for the Brera 3.2’s weight properties
- sufficient load carrying capacities. This tyre has a
sophisticated construction featuring: 2 ply Rayon casing for
perfect handling behaviour of the tyre in combination with
high load carrying and safety properties; Jointless Nylon
bandage in order to optimize tyre uniformity values and to
reduce the growth of the tyre at high speeds, which leads to
improved high speed handling behaviour and lower temperature
levels; and ultra high performance silica tread compound
with high structured carbon blacks for excellent grip level
in order to achieve excellent acceleration and
braking-derived from Dunlop’s long lasting racing compound
development in the DTM.
Wheels
The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres on the
Spider J6 3.2 C run on wheels supplied by OZ Wheels. OZ
Wheels are a Technical Partner of Autodelta and all our
bespoke models use wheels which are developed by OZ Wheels
for the specific requirements. For the Brera J5 3.2 C and
the Spider J6 3.2 C we chose – in conjunction with OZ – the
19-in Ultraleggera which is manufactured using cutting-edge
flow forming technology. The result is a ground-breaking
wheel that is up to 40 percent lighter than alternatives. It
offers a drastic improvement in power/weight ratio, a
reduction in unsprung mass and in the braking performance
window; and faster acceleration.
The Ultraleggera 19-inch wheel from OZ
has been highly successful and is officially approved by the
Renault F1 team. A ground breaking new process in wheel
development, it offers excellent technical features, that
result a lower weight than for wheels cast in forged
aluminium. The reduction is evenly distributed on each
wheel, improving unsprung weight. It thus emphasizes the
effect of a design directly derived from the experience in
competitions in which the weight plays an important role in
both performances and safety. Constructed according to Flow
forming technology, the Ultraleggera 19” has very similar
mechanical characteristics to those of a forged wheel,
confirming the attainment of two very important goals:
weight reduction and firmness.
Brakes
The Spider J6 3.2 C features uprated
brake discs, which are additionally cross-drilled and new
special compounds brake pads. These combine to improve
all-round braking performance, allowing the discs/pads to
operate during very demanding driving scenarios, at much
higher temperatures, and to offer a greatly improved braking
window.
Styling
Any Autodelta product must of course be
truly distinctive, building carefully on Alfa Romeo’s
tradition of sensuous styling, complimenting the Italian
designers’ masterpiece in a unique yet discreet manner, to
evoke a fashionable product that is embedded with
Autodelta’s own vibrant DNA. More so than most automotive
stylists’, Autodelta demands styling upgrades that
incorporate both genuine aerodynamic improvements and the
demand for improved airflow to its more powerful engines.
Uncompromised engineering is our cornerstone philosophy.
- Concept & styling direction
When developing a styling kit for a car
as cultured as the Alfa Romeo Spider, it is very important
to understand where the appeal for the model has evolved
from. The design process for the J6 Spider was a careful
filtration and study of Alfa Romeo’s glorious heritage,
developing a design which approved the styling ideas of the
past whilst looking forward into the future.As with a
beautiful family, a strong identity is a key element.
However, taking too many ideas from the past can result in
an ‘inbred’ design with no future direction. At the
Autodelta Styling Centre this is something we value and
understand, carrying it throughout the design process from
conception to production. The complete styling package was
developed around ‘performance’, ‘individuality’ and
‘passion’.
Front bumper: The face of the J6 Spider
is historically inspired by that of the classic Giulietta
Spider. The air intakes flanking the ‘scudetto’ grille are a
pure DNA feature of Alfa Romeo cars produced between the
1930s and 1970s, a period which is looked back on by
enthusiasts for the manufacturer’s wealth and diversity of
open-top sports models. Rather than taking over the shape
literally from the classic Giulietta model, the intakes on
the J6 Spider have a modern and dynamic form which also
enhance the visual impact of the Alfa Romeo grille. The
intakes also break up the face of the car, giving a more
technical appeal – in turn providing a more powerful visual
effect.
Aerodynamic diffuser: The rear
aerodynamic diffuser is fitting with Alfa Romeo’s intense
history of aerodynamics – from the 1900 Disco Volante
(Flying Saucer), to the victorious 155 DTM racer. The new
rear diffuser also provides a stronger visual framework for
the stainless quad exhaust system. Providing more than a
subtle hint of the car’s power imbued spirit, the exhaust
tail pipes sit ever so slightly proud of the diffuser
section. The use of fins in the rear diffuser is typical in
Alfa Romeo’s aerodynamic history, with glorious models such
as the Tipo B Aerodinamica and Pininfarina Super Flow being
prime historical examples.
Aerodynamic side skirts: As the front and
rear of the J6 Spider have such strong visual identities,
aerodynamic side skirts were needed to bridge the two areas
successfully. The J6 Spider is a special car which really
combines two characteristics in one – open-top elegance and
brutal performance. It is at the side of the car where this
character is most apparent. As a result we had to translate
this message into the styling of the side skirts. The top of
the Alfa Spider remains refined and athletic, whereas the
side skirts communicate the advancements made in the
performance area. Due to this we wanted to produce a
confident, clean and brutal design, very similar in effect
to the side skirts used on the fondly remembered Alfa 75
Turbo Evoluzione – which took the fight on the race tracks
to BMW during the 1980s. Muscular, wantonly aggressive and
highly purposeful, they were still in keeping with the car’
shape and to draw on this uncompromised lines was a treat
for our team.
Official Partners
Autodelta’s strength lies in having a
close working relationship with its official partners, who
assist in the Research & Development programme of each
bespoke model, thus guaranteeing maximum leverage in the
pursuit of optimum performance in each technical area. Two
key partners already covered are Dunlop Tyres, OZ Wheels and
Rotrex (superchargers). Meanwhile, Italian high performance
exhaust manufacturer Ragazzon is a long term partner and has
worked in conjunction with us to develop an exhaust for the
Spider that maximises the car’s gas flow requirements.
Mangoletsi, the UK’s largest and
longest–established authorised Alfa Romeo dealership, is our
Official Supplier of new cars for the Research & Development
programme. Mangoletsi, in keeping with their long tradition
of passion for the Alfa Romeo brand, have always been
enthusiastic proponents of our bespoke performance car
programme, and it is wholly fitting that the first Spider J6
3.2 C (the car premièred at MPH07 during this last week)
will be destined for display in their newly refurbished
showrooms near Knutsford (Cheshire).
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