The design of this renovated Spider is the result of the collaboration between Pininfarina and the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, evidenced by the unmistakable Italian elegance. This car is of great importance at the level of tradition in the brand, shared with other convertibles such as the Giulietta Spider of the 1950s or the Duetto of the 1990s.
Although small, this two-seater convertible has a larger size than its finely designed volume appears: 4,393 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, and 1,318 mm high, while its wheelbase reaches 2,528 mm.
The Alfa Spider is equipped with two direct injection Nafteros JTS engines and Twin Phaser technology. The first impeller is a 4-cylinder JTS of 2.198 cm3 cylinder capacity and a power of 185 hp. The second option is a V6 JTS of 3.195 cm3 and 260 hp. This V6 features double overhead camshaft with low friction drive. Both engines use the same six-speed manual gearbox.
Both engines have the JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) combustion system, that is, the stoichiometric direct injection for excellent performance. In addition, the two thrusters ensure the high quality Alfa Romeo, having been set up on the Balocco track and assembled in the final phase at the Alfa Romeo factory in Pomigliano. Obviously, JTS thrusters respect emission limits Euro 4.
When equipped with the 4-cylinder engine, the Alfa Spider reaches a top speed of 222 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds. While with the V6 engine it develops a top speed of 235 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds.
Many important components have been designed completely and are therefore specific to the Alfa Romeo V6 engine. First, the cover is made of aluminum with 4 valves per cylinder, 2 camshafts per bed equipped with “Twin Phaser” (continuous phase, intake and exhaust variator), already used in 4-cylinder Alfa Romeo engines and now applied for the first time in the 6-cylinder engine.
Another outstanding mechanical innovation is the Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel drive system. The Spider equipped with V6 engine also features permanent all-wheel drive with three differentials. This is the new Twin Diff that represents the latest evolution of the Torsen C differential.
The redesigned set allows considerable space savings, weight reduction and improved performance. Leverages the same forces created by the front differential to increase the locking effect (35% traction and 45% retention) to create a self-locking effect on the front axle (up to 20%) resulting in improved motor skills and curve stability. The base torque distribution of the Q4 system is directed primarily towards the rear axle (43/57) for greater sportiness.
Other technologies were incorporated to improve the performance of the Spider while making it a safer car. The ABS system with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) shares braking action between the four wheels, preventing them from locking and ensuring absolute control of the car.
The ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) anti-slip system is part of the VDC and, at any speed, optimizes traction with the help of brakes and engine control. It remains to mention the HBA system, the electronic hydraulic brake assistant that automatically increases the brake circuit pressure during emergency braking. And finally, the Hill-holder system that in the uphill starts maintains for a few moments the braking action by releasing the brake foot, speeding up the start and avoiding dangerous setbacks.
The Alfa Spider comes equipped with the revolutionary Blue & Mesystem. This application based on “Windows Mobile” is the fruit of the collaboration between Fiat Auto and Microsoft. The Blue & Me will change the paradigms of communication, information and entertainment in the car.
The mentioned system is characterized by its simplicity of use. Among its functions allows you to make and receive calls and listen to music while driving, in a simple and safe way. And thanks to Bluetooth technology it allows you to communicate from the car with the outside world through your own personal devices such as mobile phones and palms.
The hood of the Alfa Spider is fully retractable, has an electrohydraulic system for automated movement. The brand has worked hard to improve its hoods at an aesthetic, aerodynamic level and its acoustics for soundproofing of the passenger compartment.
The structure of the hood is made up of steel and aluminum arches. In addition, the canvas is double layer: the exterior is made of multi-layer fabric with great resistance against the spread of fire, while the interior has characteristics capable of preserving soundproofing. Finally, specific solutions have been studied and applied to avoid aerodynamic noise when the hood is closed, even when driving at high speed, such as the particular design adopted by the window retaining channels.
The hood is electrically operated and the closing and opening operations are carried out automatically. It is enough to press a button, although it requires a full stop of the car and the handbrake actuation. This is for safety reasons, as this prevents accidental operation of the system.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
