1975 Alfa Romeo Spider Reviews

As winter fades and summer fast approaches thoughts often turn to open-top cars and convertibles. For some there's nothing better than cruising around in an open car with the roof down.NEWFor those the selection of makes and models of open cars has never been greater. Most carmakers offer at least one convertible, some more than one. The Italian carmaker, Alfa Romeo has always offered convertibles, they're part of the company's DNA.The Spider has been a long and well-established model in the Alfa range and the company launched a new car in 2006, which was based on the Brera coupe. Like all Alfas the Spider is high on style and is packed with the flair that only comes with Italian cars.Two models were launched in 2006, the 2.2-litre four-cylinder JTS and the 3.2-litre V6 JTS. Both had performance-oriented engines boasting continuously variable valve timing and efficient direct injection.They each had six-speed manual gearboxes with the option of a six-speed auto; the smaller engine model was front-wheel drive, while the V6 had permanent all-wheel drive. While the engines deliver the punch expected of a sports car the chassis delivers the handling that allows it to be fully exploited.With double wishbone front suspension and a new multi-link rear suspension the Spider offers the sort of balanced handling and responsive steering to make open-road cruising the enjoyable experience it should be.The power soft top can be raised and lowered quickly and efficiently so you're never caught in a downpour. Inside the driver and passenger are accommodated in supportive, comfortable seats, the controls are nicely laid out within easy reach of the driver.Without a spare wheel the boot is quite large. On the road the Spider delivers the sort of driving experience expected of a sports car with the sort of heritage Alfa possesses.NOWAlfas, like most Italian cars, can be most alluring. They're stylish, make the right sort of noises and ache for the open road, but history says they can be troublesome.There was a period through the 1970s and '80s when Italian cars were slapped together by people who didn't seem to care, and the people who bought them suffered the consequence. They were poorly built, generally unreliable and rust was a major issue.Thankfully that's in the past and the cars are much better built, more reliable and rust doesn't appear to be a problem now, but there remains a suspicion that affects the reputations of all but the most exotic Italian brands and Alfa is one of them.It not only affects the new car sales of the brand, but also the resale and that needs to be appreciated and understood by anyone thinking of buying one. It's a good idea to find an Alfa specialist to service your chosen car, as they tend to be less expensive and have a genuine enthusiasm for the brand.Check the operation of the roof, which should be go up and down smoothly. Some owners complain that it doesn't, and there are reports of the lining inside the well where the roof is stored when lowered comes away preventing the roof from fully lowering.In 2009 there was a recall of 3.2-litre Spiders equipped with automatic transmissions to correct a problem that resulted in the brake pedal being stiff when pressed the first few times after a cold start. Examine the service record to see that your potential choice has been maintained as it should be and that it has been done by a creditable service outlet, preferably one familiar with the brand.SMITHY SAYSA stylish and thoroughly enjoyable and reliable sports car that's perfect for summer cruising.Alfa Romeo Spider 2006-2011Price new: $76,950 to $100,950Engine: 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder, 136 kW/230 Nm; 3.2-litre, V6, 191 kW/322 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed auto, FWD, AWDEconomy: 9.4 L/100 km (2.2), 11.5 L/100 km (V6)Body: 2-door convertibleVariants: 2.2 JTS, 3.2 JTS V6Safety: ABS, Traction Control, ESPCOMING UPDo you own a BMW 1-Series? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney 

But traditionalists will tell you that the folding metal hard-tops that have become fashionable recently aren't worthy of consideration. The folding metal hard-tops boast of being the best of both worlds but the folding roof takes up what little cargo space is on offer in these sports machines, not to mention adding weight - the enemy of true performance.Anyone who grew up with traditional sports cars will - once the rose-coloured glasses are removed - recall leaks, draughts, opaque plastic windows and fussy installation and removal. Modern fabric hoods are becoming much sturdier and are better insulated for noise and the elements, so much so that the snowballing trend of folding metal roofs has slowed.The open-air thrills of a convertible need not be pinned to a property-sized pricetag, with plenty of open-topped opportunities available for less. We look at five of the best here.MAZDA MX-5The designers of Mazda's MX-5 looked long and hard at the original Lotus Elan before embarking on the Japanese sports car that is now a modern classic and record holder for global sales. The true spiritual successor to such cars as the Austin Healey Sprite and the MG B - the lightweight, nimble, open-topped, rear-wheel-drive sporty - has maintained its focus on remaining true to the vehicles that inspired it.Only recently has the company strayed from its traditional path and offered a folding hard-top in the MX-5, thankfully without removing the cloth-topped variant from its range. All the vital items are here: airconditioning, cruise control, dual front and side airbags, stability and traction control, plus drilled aluminium pedals, sports leather seats and steering wheel, a Bose sound system, a torque-sensing limited slip differential and a six-speed manual gearbox with a rifle-bolt action. Enough said.Price: From $44,265Engine: Two-litre 16-valve four-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, rear-wheel drivePower: 118kW @ 7000rpm.Torque: 188Nm @ 5000rpm.Performance: 0-100km/h 7.6 secondsFuel consumption: 8.1litres/100km, tank 50 litresWheels: 17-in alloys.ALFA ROMEO SPIDERAlfa Romeo's Spider is a convertible steeped in tradition. The current Spider is the latest in a long line of Alfa drop-tops, perhaps the most famous being the little Italian sports car that featured in The Graduate. The Italian marque has rarely put a foot wrong when it comes to styling its convertibles - some of its sedans were questionable to say the least - but the design talent of the artisans at Alfa Romeo, Giugiaro and Pininfarina all had hands in this rag-top.While there is a V6 on offer the 2.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder is lighter and therefore less prone to affecting the front-wheel drive's cornering prowess. The features list for the 2.2 includes dual front, side and driver's knee airbag, six-speaker CD sound system, a full electric roof, trip computer and leather trim. The 2.2 JTS also comes standard with anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control and hill-holding functions.Price: From $69,990Engine: 2.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder, front-wheel driveTransmission: Six-speed manual or Selespeed automaticPower: 136kW @ 6500rpmTorque: 230Nm @ 4500rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 9 secondsTop speed: 220km/hFuel consumption: 9.5litres/100km, tank 70 litresWheels: 18-in alloys.BMW 135i CONVERTIBLEThe BMW brand's littlest machine (before dropping into the Mini model range) is the 135i Convertible. The littlest Beemer is by no means a dud, particularly if the wallet extends to the 135i Convertible's $82,000-plus asking price.One of the most spirited rides within the BMW range, the rear-wheel drive, twin-turbo six-cylinder punches well above its apparent station in life, with the drivetrain offering unfussed cruising or giant-killing ability. It might look like a bit of a hairdresser's car but dropping the roof and stretching its legs will do little for the 'do.Price: From $82,200Engine: Three-litre twin-turbo 24-valve six-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed double-clutch automatic, rear-wheel drivePower: 225kW @ 5800rpmTorque: 400Nm @ 1200rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 5.6 secondsTop speed: 250km/h (governed)Fuel consumption: 8.6 litres/100km, tank 53 litresWheels: 18-in alloys.MINI COOPER S CABRIOLETAnother one from the BMW stable of products that can make a mess of a hairstyle in the best possible way is the Mini Cooper S Cabrio. It has features like climate control airconditioning that has a Cabrio mode, a MP3/USB port-compatible sound system, pop-up roll bars, cloth/leather trim and a split-folding rear seat to improve cargo space.The brattish upstart of the Cabrio market, which can now run in targa-top or full Cabrio mode, is powered by a 128kW/240Nm 1.6-litre, turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine, enough to whip it to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. But more gentle throttle applications can see fuel consumption as low as the official figure of 7.2 litres per 100km.Price: From $48,000Engine: 1.6-litre 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, front-wheel drivePower: 128kW @ 5500rpmTorque: 240Nm @ 1600rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 7.4 secondsTop speed: 222km/hFuel consumption: 7.2 litres/100km, tank 50 litresWheels: 16in alloys.AUDI TT ROADSTERAudi's TT Roadster is a sharper-looking machine than its predecessor and it has plenty going for it. There's a range of TT Roadsters on offer, starting with the front-wheel drive, two-litre turbo, a mid-spec model with the same engine and all-wheel drive or the highly-entertaining TT S at a tickle more than $100,000.All are entertaining little sports cars to drive - with the nippy front-wheel drive two-litre a worthy machine for a leisurely drive in the country. The TT S is also a smile-inducing drop-top but a leisurely pace, while easily achieved, is not its forte.Price: From $78,000Engine: Two-litre 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed double-clutch automatic, front-wheel or all-wheel drivePower: 147kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 280Nm @ 1800rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 6.5 secondsTop speed: 237km/hFuel consumption: 7.8 litres/100km, tank 55 litresWheels: 17-in alloys.

While the first factory Alfa Spider joined the model line-up in 1966, the Spider body type goes back to the mid-1920s.Originally a designation of a light two seat sports car, the first Alfa Spiders were based on 6C and 8C models with body work by Carrozzeria Touring.Many Alfas by them of this style followed and they are highly desirable classics on the collectors market. Those with a joint race history with the Scuderia Ferrari, (the Factory Race Team through to the late thirties) are also extremely valuable.The first factory Alfa Spider was launched at the 1966 Geneva Show. It was based on the Guilia 105 chassis.The body was both styled and built by Pininfarina and was the last project Battista Pinin-Farina had personal involvement with. The body design and construction was quite advanced with crumple zones incorporated front and rear. The name Duetto was eventually given to the car after a public naming competition was held. This was not the only significant marketing coup for the Spider however it was also an early product placement in a big box office movie when Dustin Hoffman drove it in The Graduate.Production of this basic body style continued through until 1993, evolving through four significant updates from the Duetto round tail through to the big plastic bumpered final version for the US market.The second generation body design of the GTV period 1995-2006 saw the introduction of what can only be described as a controversial styling -- some would say the ugliest car ever produced from a Pininfarina design. The front-wheel drive layout did not lend itself to the sporting nature of the previous generation.The current production Spider launched at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show -- where is it was well received and praised as the Cabrio of the Year -- marked a return to classic style.While the V6 has been criticised as not being a true Alfa, as it utilises a Holden-sourced engine, the performance is definitely in a league of the best of the Spiders.The engine features a thorough make-over by  Alfa, including completely new heads.The Spider name has also be used on the current Alfa limited production supercar, the 8C.For images of examples from the original 1920’s cars by Touring  through to the new 8C, explore our gallery at right.Related links:Search for your own Alfa Romeo Spider

Based on the Brera coupe, Alfa Romeo’s latest convertible arrived in Australia last year after a dazzling unveil at the Sydney Motor Show in late 2006. Alfa’s most expensive car down under has arrived with an all-new “Q-Tronic” gearbox and Q4 all wheel drive system in two versions– the $97, 990 3.2 JTS V6 auto tested here (manual $94, 990) and the smaller $73, 990 2.2 JTS Selespeed (manual $69,990). EXTERIORDramatic curves and creases bring together a sleek rounded form on 18 inch alloy wheels. The long sweeping bonnet lines come together at the familiar triangular Alfa grill that sits between wrap around Xenon headlamps. Pronounced rear wheel arches, thick chrome roll bars and a muscular rear end draw attention to the open top character of the car – an intentional design focus.INTERIORThe inside is simple, consistent with the clean lines and fresh approach of the exterior. There is no mistaking an Alfa interior. The aluminium centre dash panel, the Italian stitched red leather heated seats and the collection of small, round sunken dials accentuate the premium sporty nature of the car.Dual zone climate control, a super six-speaker Bose stereo, multi-function display, Bluetooth capability and a host of storage compartments all come as standard.DRIVETRAIN and SUSPENSIONThe 136 kW 2.2 JTS is powered by a 2.2 litre in-line four cylinder litre engine that produces 230 Nm of torque, whilst the 3.2 JTS V6, as the name suggests runs on a 191kW 3.2 litre V6 with a substantial 322 Nm of torque.Both versions are equipped with six speed manual gear boxes and the new `Q-Tronic’ six-speed automatic but the 3.2 JTS comes with Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system which divides torque 57 per cent to the rear wheels and 43 per cent to the front.The Spider’s suspension set-up is double wishbone front coupled with a multi-link rear configuration.SAFETYSeven airbags are standard for both models, as are ABS, VCD, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, traction control a fully integrated Fire Prevention System.Complementing these features are wheel spin limiter during take off and a brake assist function to help when changing down through the gears. Halligan saysIn the early days of the evolution of Ferrari from Alfa Romeo race team owner to exotic car manufacturer, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo were on par from an engineering and reputation point of view. How things changed.In its later life – after the last of the 1980s rear-wheel-drive GTVs and Spiders; Alfa went astray.The past GTV is the ugliest car to ever leave Pininfarina’s drawing board and did enormous damage to the reputation of Alfa.But the Alfa V6 Spider has drawn me back to the brand.And the attraction started from the moment I adjusted the electric seats to my ideal driving position and dropped the steering wheel closer to my knees. Perfect. And the turning circle to get out of the tight carpark was great.Through a tunnel and the engine gave a fairly deep unstressed rumble, past the speed camera lights and then I finally touch the accelerator with more than toe pressure. The engine tone changes as does the car’s character. The Spider has two distinct personalities; on one hand it is a beautiful well balanced sport scar that points, tracks and accelerates like an entry level exotic should. On the other hand it is one of the easiest cars to drive.A highway trip through bucketing rain didn’t unsettle the Alfa, which always felt rock solid, surefooted and capable of higher speed even under these slippery conditions.My official style council – the wife and kids – gave its design a big tick. This Alfa just looks right, the closer you look at it the more you realise just how good a design it is. It grabs your attention without being overly loud. To me it contains all that is good about Italian design. My wife wants one. Previously she wanted an MX-5.So would I put it on the shopping list if the funds were available. The competition is stiff; Boxster, SLK, TT and Z4.  The four Germans. The Boxster gets eliminated straight away, my wife wouldn't let me because she considers it a cliche. The Audi is a possibility. I am not a BMW person, I prefer Mercs. So it comes down really to the SLK or the Alfa. Hard choice. Alfa is back on my list and I didn't think I was going to say it so quickly.Was there anything I didn't like; only the red led readouts within the instrument cluster.Back to the Alfa and Ferrari relationship. I always thought an Alfa should be for a person that aspires to a Ferrari but knows it is too far out of their bracket. The Spider fits this perfectly.My wife gave me permission to buy one. Black on black please.VERDICT: 8.8/10Wigley saysThere is something about Alfas that gets the heart pumping. I wasn’t disappointed either when I laid eyes on it for the first time.The bulkier rear end makes it look more sporty and muscular and the Brera looking front is always pleasing to the eye.I love the uniqueness of Alfa interiors. You can see and feel the quality and the effort put into the design. There is nothing complex about the interior design which I like personally.Vision is great out front but the bulky side pillars – when the roof is up – create a massive blind spot. Because you don’t get a back seat, the visibility when you’re changing lanes isn’t great and you find yourself being extra careful.The ‘Q-Tronic’ system is good but I prefer VW’s DSG system. There isn’t an immediate response when you use the paddle shift on the Italian car.But the Q4 all wheel drive plus the stiffer suspension made the car extremely grippy and the steering very accurate, so entering and leaving corners at speed was easy and precise.The engine note is a deep growl that you can hear a block away but you can’t notice it too much inside, and given that it’s a convertible it was pleasantly surprising how quiet it was in the cabin with the roof on.And there’s a lot of pleasure from the noise and the thump in the back thrust when you give it some on a straight stretch of road.VERDICT: 7.8/10 

The masters of style and elegance (that's right, those Italians) have delivered with this Brera-inspired Spider.With a really sleek and elegant design, it certainly doesn't go unnoticed, especially with the top down and exploring that throaty growl.But at $97,990, it's true what they say: class and style doesn't come cheap. The Spider has all the recognisable Alfa traits; the family nose, the horseshoe alloy wheels and the familiar dash design with a driver focus on the interior.It's the type of car that makes you want to go out and change your whole wardrobe to match. Forget wearing daggy tracky-daks in this stunner, unless of course they've been blessed with an Italian designer label.The stunning deep-red leather interior, the Alfa insignias embroidered into the seats and adorning the doorsteps and the sporty yet chic exterior all combine to make it an all round stylish package.The Spider is closely related to other Alfa siblings, sharing the 159's platform but with a shorter wheelbase, and was inspired by the Brera.But with its own character, the Spider becomes more than just a derivative of any other model.Its long bonnet, compact rear and the lack of the side creases seen on previous models makes it a standout.It not only glistens in the looks department, with a design that was developed in co-operation with Pininfarina and the Alfa Romeo Centre, but it also has performance that screams for the attention.The model tested was the 3.2-litre JTS. It's not only design that is closely related to other models, but this engine too — the six cylinder also found in the 159 and Brera. Pumping out 191kW at 6300rpm and 322Nm at 4500rpm, the two seater sports car races from 0-100km/h in seven seconds. Not overly quick, but it does get there feeling very sporty and 90 per cent of max torque is available from 1800rpm right up to 6250rpm.Also contributing to the strong performance is the Q4 permanent all-wheel-drive system that the V6 features as standard.Under normal driving conditions, 57 per cent of power goes to the rear wheels, and 43 per cent to the front.The rear-wheel bias provides better handling qualities, felt by the traction when coming out of corners.The Q-Tronic six-speed auto box lets the engine rev right up to 5000rpm before changing gears under harder acceleration. There is also the option of sliding into manual mode and using the steering-wheel mounted paddles.The only problem here is the gearbox takes over automatically around 5000rpm if you haven't already made the shift, which means you don't quite get to the higher end of the tacho.There's also a bit of a delay when shifting gears yourself. While the brakes in the Spider pull you up very quickly, on our test they are initially sticky and stay depressed even after you release your foot from the pedal.And when the display starts to show the Vehicle Dynamic Control and Hill Descent were not working, it's time for a call to Alfa. An Alfa spokesman says the brake pedal has been pressed too hard and one of the sensor points bent, which means the sensor that measures when the pedal is pressed is no longer getting a clean signal.That trips the ABS system into fault mode. Once the sensor is back where it should be, everything returns to normal and braking action feels a lot more confident. On the road, the Spider is a comfortable and firm ride and even on rough roads you're still held strongly in the very cosy seat.There's speed sensitive, power-assisted steering (which makes the car easy to manoeuvre), although it does still possess the stronger steering characteristics you'd expect from an Alfa. And while the price tag is high, it does come packed with some quality features — all as standard.These include chrome roll bars, a wind break, electronic folding roof, cruise control, automatic dual-zone climate control, Bose audio system and — keeping you most comfortable — the Pieno Fiore sports leather, electrically adjustable heated seats. It's also fitted with seven airbags and Vehicle Dynamic Control and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.Running costs are not cheap either: while it has a claimed consumption of 11.5 litres per 100km, during our drive, the trip computer readout showed the average consumption to be as high as 19 litres per 100km at times. But if image is everything, you'll definitely be getting the tongues wagging in this. The bottom line Stylish is one word you'll become very familiar with. SnapshotAlfa Romeo SpiderPrice: $97,990Engine: 3.2L/V6, 191kW/322NmTransmission: Q-Tronic 6-speed autoEconomy: 11.5L/100km The rivalsBmw Z4 RoadsterPrice: $94,000Engine: 3.0L/6-cyl, 196kW/315NmTransmission: 6-speed autoEconomy: 9L/100km Audi TT RoadsterPrice: $92,900Engine: 3.2L/6-cyl, 184kW/320NmTransmission: S-Tronic 6-speed autoEconomy: 9.5L/100km Mercedes-Benz SLK 280Price: $102,900Engine: 3.0L/V6, 170kW/300NmTransmission: 7-speed autoEconomy: 9.5L/100km 

With cars as distinctive as those from Alfa Romeo we were wondering what the designers would do next - where do you go and what do you do after doing such a terrific job of nailing it the first time? It turns out we needn't have worried because the new Alfa Spider is better looking than ever.The engineers have even managed to remove some of the body flex that is generated when you remove the roof from a car. The current model feels much tighter and more composed than the previous one, with more bite too. What a pity the same engineers couldn't have done a bit more work on the car's suspension.The new Spider is strictly speaking a Brera coupe without the roof. But it's more than that because few people realise the car was in fact styled by car designer Pininfarina instead of designer Giugiaro,  which did design the coupe. If you don't believe us check out the badges on the side of the car.As well as designing the fabric roof, Pininfarina also re-styled the rear of the car, to focus attention on the open top. The wheel arches are more pronounced and add hips that lend a Boxster-like flavour to the car. There's no missing the polished chrome roll bars either, which the first car lacked.Two versions of the Spider are available, 2.2 litre 136kW four cylinder unit and a 3.2 litre 191kW V6. The V6, which breaks the three-figure price barrier for the first time, is also equipped with all-wheel drive. Our test vehicle was the four cylinder Spider priced from $76,950.The thing we like best about Alfas is that they deliver as much pizzaz as a high priced Porsche. They also come from the same country that produces Ferraris and that Italian heritage is evident, with gauges angled towards the driver that retain their original labels - Olio, Acqua and Benzina (oil, water and fuel). It just wouldn't be the same in German or Japanese.The 2.2-litre JTS engine in our test car is good for 136kW of power at 6500rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4500rpm, making it not surprisingly a high-revving unit. It means you've got to push it hard to get the best out of the engine, but it remains pleasantly tractable in the mid range.The four cylinder engine in our test car was teamed with a six-speed manual transmission, just the way we like it.Drive is through the front wheels with premium 18-inch Pirelli 235/45 P Zeros fitted and a space saver spare. Despite the addition of stability and traction control, the front wheels still scrabble for traction under hard acceleration.While the driver receives plenty of feedback through the wheel, the car is also subject to bump-steer which detracts from the ride quality. We doubt whether Alfa does any local testing. While the ride is smooth and enjoyable on motorway standard surfaces, a quick trip down Sydney's Parramatta Road will have you fighting with the wheel.Other overseas marques are able to tune their cars for all conditions, why is it so hard for the Italians?Fuel consumption is rated at 9.4 litres/100km. The boot is surprisingly large, not so much long but deep. Safety equipment includes seven airbags as standard. 

Style over substance. It's a common phrase associated with Alfa Romeo's charges, and one that has likely hobbled the marque in its quest to make significant inroads in Australia.But it's too general a comment in the mind of this motoring journalist, and not just because the sharp lines, aggressively slick grilles and headlamp configurations on the Alfa range have oodles of appeal.Some time spent in both the petrol and diesel (JTD) 147 hatches (albeit quite a while ago) filled me with enthusiasm and praise for the marque — even after I'd spent a week feeling regal, but wallowy, in a 159.And a number of straps in a GT proved fun, but it fell shy of the performance I was hoping for from a coupe touted as offering “searing performance”. I'm yet to spend time in the awesome-looking Brera. However, I'm informed I may be disappointed with the performance of that stunner.So far this year Alfa Romeo has sold 600 vehicles, compared with 474 in the same period the previous year. This year's sales include 147 147s (we're serious), 343 of the 159s and two dozen of the good-looking Spider.I spent a week trying to establish if Alfa really is all show and no go. The new Alfa Romeo Spider JTS is the car to test that theory, because it's simply stunning to the eye.But my initial reaction to questions about this drop-top was regularly: looks good, but not much stick.The Spider was definitely driving its way into the all-show-and-no-go category. Granted, the test car was the 2.2-litre in-line four-cylinder JTS version producing 136kW of power and 230Nm of torque, not the 3.2-litre V6 with 191kW and 322Nm, which obviously would have had much more pep.Sulking that I'd not been put behind the wheel of the Spider with more bite, I lapped up the fact that my ride for the week featured true luxury with its clever power-folding roof and exquisite interior.The interior is clean and concise, and very functional without being techno overload.At just 4393mm in length but weighing 1470kg, the front-drive Spider (the V6 version is all-wheel-drive) handled well without being exceptional, and the inclusion of next-generation traction, braking and stability control offers peace of mind.Driven with a bit more endeavour, the in-line four-cylinder picks up points in the performance stakes. However, it's not the nimble little sports car its style suggests it should be. Fast factsAlfa Romeo JTS SpiderOn sale: NowPrice: $69,990Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder, 136kW@6500rpm, 230Nm@4500rpmTransmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drivePerformance: 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds; top speed 217km/hFuel: 9.4litres/100km combined (claimed), 13litres/100km on test; 70-litre tank

It's also the first all-wheel drive Alfa Spider. The generously sized two-seater (4396mm long x 1830mm wide x 1367mm high) is complemented by elongated rear lights and four exhaust pipes in keeping with its high-performance temperament.Inside, the Alfa Spider features automatic dualzone climate control and steering wheel-mounted radio controls. There's switchable Vehicle Dynamic Control (Alfa Romeo's version of the electronic stability program) and cruise control.Power is by either the 138kW 2.2-litre JTS engine or the more powerful 195kW 3.2-litre JTS. Just weeks after it was revealed at the Paris International Motor Show, Alfa Romeo's new 336 kW super car, the 8C Competizione will take centre stage on Alfa's stand at the 2006 Sydney International Motor Show.The limited edition left-hand-drive only coupe is based on the showcar first seen in 2003.The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is inspired by Alfa Romeo's glorious past, beginning with the evocative name, which recalls the great sporting tradition of Alfa Romeo in the 1930s and 1940s.Those cars were equipped with a revolutionary straight-eight cylinder engine and the new 8C is also an eight cylinder - in this case a 4.7 litre example in a more traditional "V" configuration producing more than 330 kW.