Alfa Romeo SPIDER FINAL EDITION
Heres a question to ponder. Will Alfa Romeos Spider be remembered as a modern classic? In one camp are the crew who think that its front-wheel drive chassis and relative popularity would deny it entry into that particular club whereas its supporters would point to its charismatic styling and big personality. Although Im tempted to think of the Spider as just a little too compromised by its underpinnings to be remembered as one of the best Alfas, its nevertheless hugely appealing and, in Final Edition guise, better looking than ever.
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The Final Edition model does nothing to rectify these shortcomings, Alfa Romeo sensibly reckoning that if you want a Spider youll be prepared to put up with its idiosyncrasies. As long as you dont expect the last word in sophistication and handling finesse, youll be treated to a car endowed with the sort of character that is increasingly legislated out of existence these days.
"If theres a more appealing engine than the 3.2 V6 for less than £30,000, its difficult to think of it"
Theres a choice of either the 2.0-litre JTS or the bellowing 3.2-litre V6 engines, priced at £23,510 and £28,300 respectively. The first thing most will spot are the beautiful ten-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
Take a look inside and youll spot black leather trim and all the features of Lusso specification, which includes an electric roof, a leather trimmed steering wheel, heated electric door mirrors and automatic climate control. Three metallic body colours are offered Alfa Red, Lightning Blue and Light Grey. No prizes for guessing which will be in biggest demand. With the latest model, you do also get the kind of electronic aids weve come to take for granted on rival German roadsters like Audis TT and Mercedes SLK.
Things like electronic stability control (ASR) to help you out of a sticky situation should you barrel into a corner too fast. Plus theres now EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). The visual differences between the 2.0-litre and 3.
2-litre models are slight. This means that, apart from some discreet badging and a different exhaust pipe, theres no real way to parade the fact that youve spent £28,300 as opposed to £23,510 on your open-topped Alfa. The 2.0-litre JTS engine is a unit that thrives on revs but if youre going to buy an Alfa Spider Final Edition, its really worth going the whole hog and plumping for the 3.
2-litre V6. Heres why. Slide in and twist the red ignition key and any reservations fade away. First, that lovely noise.
If theres a better-sounding engine than this for less than £30,000, its difficult to think of it. Theres 240bhp on tap and its enough to make this Spider feel a completely different animal from its 2.0-litre JTS stablemate. Prodigious pulling power is available in any of the six manual gears (theres no auto option) and in the mid-rev range, the car just surges towards the horizon.
Under the bonnet, Milan's melodic 3.2-litre V6 engine will punt the Alfa to sixty in just over six seconds, with 150mph a realistic maximum. On the move, impressive though the multi-link rear suspension is, it's fair to say that the Spider is more at home on smooth Italian tarmac than Britains bumpy back roads. In response, the Italians are quick to point out that it is not only the stiffest convertible they have ever built but one of the stiffest in its class. The cabin is nicely done but it still doesnt have the hewn-from-granite feel of the German competition. Perhaps more seriously for an open-topped car, the heater cant really cope with the coldest winter days and you cant even specify heated seats to help out: there arent any. Perhaps this would be all right if you lived in Milan but those of us in without the benefit of a Mediterranean climate need a little more looking after. Designers currently putting the final touches to the next generation Spider model should take note. The styling is unmistakably Alfa Romeo, from that nicely chromed trademark triangular grille, through those distinctive twin circular headlamps to the classic curves of the pretty rear.
Though the inside is nothing like as dramatic; this feels like an expensive car thanks to careful touches like the headliner, designed to hide the entire roof mechanism from sight. And, of course, the obvious thought which has gone into creating that mechanism. Only the rather plasticky minor controls let the side down, although this can be forgiven when the overall aesthetic effect of the cowled dash and scalloped leather seats is taken into account. On an objective basis, there are many cars better than the Alfa Spider.
In fact, its saddled with some pretty fundamental flaws. Factor in the realisation that the replacement model will decimate this cars residual value and youre left with what would seem to be a lame duck. One drive, however and all of those caveats disappear in your wake. This car has the X factor missing from so many of its anaesthetised rivals.
The motoring world is a poorer place for its passing. If you want to grab an old school icon, youd better act fast.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Alfa Romeo Spider Final Edition range
PRICES: £23,510 - £28,300 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 17-19
CO2 EMISSIONS: 220-315g/km
PERFORMANCE: [3.2 V6] 0-60mph 6.3s / Max Speed 150mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [3.2 V6] (urban) 14.2mpg / 31.4mpg (extra urban) / 21.4mpg (combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and Passenger Airbag / ABS / Side-impact beams
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width 4285/1780mm
