Test Drive Alfa Romeo Spider since 2006 Convertible
Mi Piace.
Sometime Henry Ford admitted that at the sight of Alfa Romeo he removes a hat. And even after 100 years, this car continues to admire us. We were lucky that Juseppe Merosie was born in 1872 and the peak of his creative activity came at the time when marketing had not yet contradicted engineering thought. Take a look at the first cars Alfa Romeo 1910, 1913, 1924 release. Now it is hardly believed that behind the wheel of these four-wheeled designers people participated in races and came to the finish. How non-pieces of the car appear to the appearance of a carrier body, how non-solenitically seems to us with a capacity of 40 hp, but at the beginning of the 20th century, Merosie meets the last word of technology, which allowed Alfa Romeo to collect a huge collection of victorious cups. Racing competitions were followed by one after another, the engines became more powerful, cars faster, and now Alfa Romeo is talked. However, the first time did not know about any Alfa Romeo, because the company was called A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Di Automobili Lombard Joint-Stock Company for Car Production), and the current name company received after 1915, when headed by A.F.A. Nikola Romeo stood. He expanded the production and gave the speed of Alfa Romeo's sports career. Under his start, the company fought such races like Ascari, Ferrari, Campari, and the talented engineer Vittorio was not constructed not one victorious car. The popularity of Alfa Romeo grew, and in the 30s, 40s, the 50s, cars that serve as a foundation for creativity of current designers appeared. One of these masterpieces is Alfa Romeo Spider in 1966 of the release, whose great-grandfather today is trying to pull out the legendary automaker from the crisis that tightened the brand in the list of outsiders of the world car industry. But, according to Chapter Alfa Romeo Antonio Baraval, the crisis is the case yesterday. Yesterday, we barely bare ends meet, but now you yourself can make sure that Alfa Romeo is back in the ranks, he says. The new 159th successfully competes with the Germans and the Japanese, Brera fits out, and the unlikely 8C Competizione is recognized as the most beautiful supercaster 2006 at the closing ceremony of the 22nd International Automotive Festival in Paris. Perhaps, only the 147th model that lived from the time of stagnation before the revival of the glorious name of Alfa Romeo, somewhat violates the overall picture of well-being. But soon there will be a new hatchback, but for now, allow the Spider to submit.
The appearance of the Alfa Romeo Brera coupe proves the power and power of love over a cold mind. This car looks like Master Judjaro did not figure it out, and the passion itself and the recklessness merged in a single impulse. Even if Alfa did not grow in terms of quality, we would admire her forms and rewarded praise to her creator. But smooth bodies of body panels and pleasant to the touch, finishing materials prove that Brera will not be labeled on the service. Moreover, we are entitled to expect gambling manageability from it and, run ahead, we can say that it goes not worse than it looks like. But behind the wheel of Brera something is confused. You are traveling in a stunningly beautiful car possible, the best Alfa over the past ten years, but this show gives pleasure only others. They admire the expressive facial part, tightened and muscular sides, a flirty back, and you have to look for mirrored shop windows to see this coupe in motion. And now imagine that the Talent from PinInfarina was put to Djjharovsk Brera. However, what to represent? This car is a new Alfa Romeo Spider. The front part is the same as Brera, and the back has become even better. True, with a raised top, the Spider looks not so seductive, like a coupe, but it is worth pressing the button, and soon there are no memories from the plater roof. And now, sitting in this cabriolet (and it does not matter, you are a man or a woman), you will feel tens, hundreds of admiring, discouraged and envious looks. Devora in provincial villages, where the life and breath of Italy, felt particularly acute, ran up to Spider with wide eyes wide. The guys ran around the car, smiled and broke something in their own language. It does not matter what it is important that the delight in their eyes was read. Near the fountain, in the shadow of the tree clone to the land, sat an elderly Italian, which, apparently, still remembers the first Spider. The years have deprived of his opportunities to move quickly, but the look, a smile from which the time on the face was terribly manifested, expressed approval and at the same time sorrow. This gray-haired old man saw the brand of brand Alfa Romeo and there is no doubt, I watched with bitterness as Fiat pulls behind the legend of automotive Italy. Now he sees how Alfa rises from the ashes, but who knows whether he lives until the time when the brand is firmly standing on the legs?
Another issue is associated with the rigidity of the body. We tried Spider at the test site in Balocca, and then drove around the roads of general use, and in all conditions it seemed to us that her body of the cabriolet was lacking. At first it felt when the door slams down, then in the turn of the body begins to play, and finally, the impression is created on the irregularities that the car mileage passed for 100 thousand km. But no, on the odometer just over 2,000 km, which means that this car did not beat and did not lie Lithuanian craftsmen. Just compared to SPIDER body competitors, apparently, not enough. For example, for Audi TT Roadster, thresholds were re-made, and on any body covering remains as tough as the coupe. Some of the Alfa Romeo engineers whispered to me that the rigidity of the spider's body is 40% lower than the coupe. This is a lot, and it feels. If on Brera, then the point is attacking turns, then on Spider such fun delivers less pleasure. Yes, and the wind begins to flutter the hair is already 80 km / h. But still Spider is not bad. A version with a 2.2-liter motor was created for unhurried walks and will surely be successful in women. The engine is well pulling on the nizakh, here it best sounds. Abroad, 4000 rpm, it does not wake up and does not scream like the same four, eliminating the Nature Reserve. Riding in a walking pace managed Spider with such a motor is best. But we choose 3.2 v6.
Even before the sample, the SPIDER helm, I managed to drive several circles in the sedan 159 3.2 Q4. This car has lost the liveliness that has been peculiar to 156 GTA with the engine of the same volume, but at the same time deserves separate praise. The full drive system allows you to drive faster and more confident, steering without a single knocking transmits information from the road, and the suspension is kept by a young man both on the track and in the conditions of urban ride. Q4 is a real Alfa. Already, not the one that admired the old man from the fountain, but the one that gives a lot of pleasure to us. There is no doubt, GTA was sharper and evil, but 159 3.2 Q4 is much more pleasant in everyday use. It allows you to just rush through the head. Moreover, any mode will reflect the nature of the car, because even 1500 rpm V6 sounds great. He feels great on any revolutions, up to 7000 rpm, declaring it first with a powerful baritone, and then sound soprano. The sound is poured by the unrestrained stream from all sides, and if the low-frequency rumble is sometimes tired in the BMW, then Alfa's voice is always welcome. Of course, the 159th is not accustomed, but 3.2 V6 Q4 can be purchased at least for others to envy, because it is so rarely practicality and windiness are combined in one car.
However, Spider with the same engine behaves somewhat differently. As if felt the softness of the car's character, the motor with less enthusiasm takes a convertible forward, although it sounds as talented. And the transmission seems to be included not so flawlessly. The gear selection mechanism in Q4 and Brera works as exactly as in Audi, and in Spider it lacks selectivity. You're too picky, grind a colleague, the Alfa box has become much better. This is true, progress
obviously, but the lever could be shorter, and his moves are smaller. Or maybe I'm really picky too? After all, the rigid body and the rigid suspension Audi TT Roadster is not too helpful on irregularities. And in Spider there is no, still from Alfa we are waiting for greater collections in the movements. This car is damn good and inspires a sense of reliability, but Brera offers more, much more buzz from the ride. A sedan or station wagon is no less practical than competitors from the German premium segment. Still, the Spider does not come out of the head. Thinking about it is not only awakening thoughts. He captures the soul, causing to dream, suffer in his absence. Claims in part of the body are quite reasonable, but do we perceive Alfa without flaws? After all, the trained, polished to the state of the absurd car no longer news today. They are beautiful in everything, except for one: their character is strangled by the desire of managers to please everyone and everyone. It is unlikely that Alfa is capable of such.
So who will pay 43 thousand euros (the price of the basic version of the Spider with engine 2.2 jts) for a car that does not hide its flaws? It is unlikely that those who are thinking about BMW Z4 or Nissan 350Z. Spider gives pleasure without unnecessary fuss. It will be an impeccable addition to the image of a secular lioness (although in fact it is another question who will complement whom), because it is best to look around the prestigious boutiques and in the parking lot of fashionable nightclubs. I'll choose Brera. Q4. I like. As the Italians say, Mi Piace.
Specifications ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 3.2 V6
Dimensions, mm 4393x1830x1318
Base, mm 2528
Engine type gasoline 6-cylinder
Working volume, cube. CM 3195
Max. Power, hp / rpm 260/6300
Max. Moment, nm / rpm 322/4500
Transmission Mechanical 6-speed
Max. Speed, km / h 233
Tires 225/50 R17
Access time is 0-100 km, from 7.0
Fuel consumption (medium), l / 100 km 12.5
Tank volume, l 70
Stanislav Goncharenko
Photo by the author and manufacturer firms
A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"
