The Sydney Motor Show (27th October – 5th November, 2006) will see the return of the Alfa Romeo Spider to Australia.

Although the archetypal Alfa Romeo Spider is the 1960’s Duetto, the Spider has been has been at the heart of the company right back to its foundation. Although early models such as the 40-60hp and the RL were known generically as spiders, the first model to carry Spider as part of its name was the 8C 2300 Spider.

“Alfa Romeo’s core values are performance and style,” stated David Stone, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia. “The Spider is the embodiment of these values. Originally the quickest way to achieve performance was with a light, open top body that was sleek and aerodynamic to maximize the available potential from the engine and chassis, in other words, the original sports car. Today, the new Spider is the epitome of the Alfa Romeo, with performance, style and ability in depth. It remains the very definition of Alfa Romeo.”

Although the all-new Alfa Romeo Spider is based on the Brera Coupe, it is much more than a roofless version of the Brera. The Spider is strictly a two seat sports car; it has been extensively styled at the rear to focus attention on its open top character, with pronounced rear wheel arches, a cover for the folded roof that is shaped to flow up towards the polished chrome roll bars in the form of a ‘speedster’ top.

Two versions of the new Alfa Spider, starting with a recommended retail price of $76,950, will be available from launch, with a choice of engines, a 2.2 litre JTS 136 kW four cylinder unit and a 3.2 litre JTS 191 kW V6.

With specific power outputs of up to 62 kW/litre and almost 90 per cent of maximum torque available at 2,000 rpm, both petrol JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) units boast outstanding performance, yet offer significant fuel savings and readily comply with the Euro Stage 4 exhaust emission limits. Both these advanced direct injection engines feature continuously variable valve timing governing both inlet and exhaust camshafts.

Both Spider versions are fitted with 6-speed manual gearboxes, whilst the Spider 3.2 V6 JTS is equipped with, as standard, with Alfa Romeo’s Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system. The Q4 employs three differentials, with a self-locking Torsen C unit at the centre of the system which in normal conditions divides drive torque by a ratio of 57 per cent to the rear wheels and 43 per cent to the front.

Torque split between front and rear axles is constantly modulated by the central Torsen differential on the basis of available grip, with a bias towards the rear axle promoting handling characteristics appropriate to an Alfa Romeo sports car.

Sharing an all-new platform and components with the Alfa 159, albeit on a 175 mm shorter wheelbase optimised for appropriate handling responses, the chassis of the new Alfa Spider combines a high double wishbone front suspension system with a new multilink rear configuration. The combination generates smooth steering response, stability and controllability – even when close to adhesion limits and first class body control allied to remarkable comfort over all road surface conditions.

The 2.2 JTS Alfa Spider’s braking system comprises powerful, 305 mm ventilated front discs and 278 mm solid discs at the rear. When powered by the 3.2 JTS V6, the Spider features larger, 330 mm ventilated discs with Brembo four piston monobloc aluminium callipers at the front and 292 mm ventilated discs at the rear for even greater, fade-free stopping power.

The Alfa Spider offers direct, lively and responsive speed-sensitive power assisted steering, with a rack requiring 2.25 turns lock-to-lock; the most direct steering in its class. The turning circle is 10.7 m between kerbs.

Both passive and active safety features are comprehensively represented in the new Spider. In addition to seven standard equipment airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and a fully integrated Fire Prevention System, the new car comes with a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art electronic braking, traction control and stability systems fitted as standard.

ABS anti-lock braking is combined with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution over all four wheels and a sophisticated switchable Vehicle Dynamic Control unit enhances cornering stability. VDC is further augmented by ASR to limit wheel spin during acceleration, MSR to modulate braking torque when changing down through the gears and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts.

As with all Alfa Romeo models, driver orientated ergonomics, passenger comfort and lavish standard equipment levels are fundamental to the interior design of the new sports car.

In addition, the Spider 3.2 JTS V6 is equipped with premium Pieno Fiore Sports Leather, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, Xenon headlights with headlight washers, Bose audio system and Bluetooth telephone connection system. The alloy wheels are also a different style for the V6.

Options are metallic paint and for the 2.2 JTS Spider, the electrically adjustable seats and Bluetooth system.