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Our Score:
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Styling & Design
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Score:
8/10
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Although essentially a convertible Brera, the Spider takes all the best bits of the Brera (the scultped sheetmetal, sublime detailing) and dispenses with the odd shaped backside. It still keeps the 159 front end but overall, it’s even more attractive than the Brera.
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Engine Spec
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Score:
8/10
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Three engines are available but only the zingy 2.2 4-cylinder with 185hp/230Nm and the 200hp/400Nm are offered in Ireland. The petrol's fine engine and we do wish the 3.2 V6 was offered here but the 2.4 JTDM is the real peach here - fast, frugal and it even sounds good!
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Performance
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Score:
7/10
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The 2.2 takes 8.8 seconds to get to 100km/h and can reach a top speed of 217km/h, which isn’t bad for a cruiser cabrio. The diesel's even faster - 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds and 228 all out - which is about as much as the rather wobbly body and front-drive chassis can cope with.
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Ride & Handling
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Score:
5/10
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The Spider isn’t much of a driver’s car, with nose-heavy and understeer-prone handling when you really push it. The steering isn’t quite as sharp as the Brera and 159, either, and the ride quality suffers front the lack of chassis integrity. It’s for cruising only.
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Interior & Ergonomics
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Score:
7/10
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The interior comes right out of the 159, so you get the same driver-focussed cabin and crisp layout. The driving position is better than the Brera but you still have to deal with the odd location of the light switches and the overworked stalks.
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Space & Practicality
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Score:
7/10
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The Spider doesn’t even bother trying to be a four-seater and is all the better for it. With more from seat space than the Brera, front passengers are well catered to and the boot’s a decent size too, even with the fabric roof folded.
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Safety
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Score:
8/10
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Although the 159 on which the Spider is based has a 5 star NCAP score, it’s hard to know how the it will do in its NCAP test. ESP, front, side & knee airbags, active front headrests, ISOFIX child seat anchors with airbag deactivation & static rollover hoops are standard, as is a hill-hold system.
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Value & Running Costs
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Score:
6/10
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Because the Spider is only a two-seater, it puts itself in the same league as the BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK and Nissan 350Z. Against such competition, it can’t really compete so opt for the unique and frugal diesel with its low-ish road tax and amazing range. Should hold its value well, too.
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Quality & Refinement
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Score:
5/10 |
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There is a huge improvement in quality compared to older Alfas. Everything is solid to the touch and well made but it remains to be seen if how it takes 3 year of ownership. It not as good at cruising as the Brera, either, because the ride is jittery and the roof doesn’t insulate as well as rivals’.
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Equipment
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Score:
8/10
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All Spiders have electric windows & mirrors, armrests, remote locking, climate control, CD player, a trip computer, leather steering wheel, ESP, 17” alloys and leather trim. Auto lights & wipers, cruise control, Bluetooth & Xenon lights are options.
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Bad
Quality
prices
residual values.
Good
Stunning looks
pleasant cabin
lovely engine.
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