The new Alfa Spider, the latest open-topped Alfa Romeo to be offered by the company, has just gone on sale in the UK. Derived from Giorgetto Giugiaro's award-winning Alfa Brera design, the new Alfa Spider was developed by Pininfarina in collaboration with Alfa Romeo Centro Stile.

The Spider will be available in four versions and a choice of three engines. In the petrol variety, a 2.2-litre 185bhp four-cylinder unit developing 170lb.ft of twist at 4500rpm will be joined by a 3.2-litre 260bhp V6 with up to 237lb.ft of torque. A 2.4-litre 20-valve five-cylinder MultiJet (JTDM) turbodiesel, claimed to be good for 200bhp and 295lb.ft of torque at 2000rpm completes the range.

The 2.4-litre diesel is said to achieve a top speed of 142mph and complete a 0-62mph run in 8.2 seconds. The all-wheel drive 3.2 V6 will reach 62mph from nothing in 7 seconds and top out at 149mph, while the 2.2-litre four manages 138mph and the 0-62mph stint in 8.8 seconds. All powerplants will be mated to six-speed manual gearboxes, whilst the 3.2 JTS V6 unit can be specified with Alfa Romeo's QTRONIC six-speed automatic transmission, featuring a manual sequential-shift override capability and optional gearshift 'paddles'.

Sharing a platform and components with the Alfa Brera, the Spider is 17mm shorter and 23mm lower but has an identical 2528mm wheelbase. The suspension setup of the Spider combines a double wishbone system at the front with a multi-link rear configuration, said to promote smooth, accurate steering response, exceptional stability and body control, allied to remarkable comfort over all road surfaces.

The 2.2 JTS Alfa Spider's braking system comprises 305mm ventilated front discs and 278mm solid discs at the rear. Versions powered by the 3.2 JTS petrol and 2.4 JTDM turbodiesel engines feature larger, 330mm ventilated discs and Brembo four-piston monobloc aluminium callipers at the front, with 292mm ventilated discs at the rear.

The Alfa Spider is fitted with an automatic, double-layer fabric roof which can be retracted in less than 25 seconds via a dashboard mounted switch. A separate dedicated roof storage compartment is claimed to not compromise stowage space, and the luggage compartment offers a 200-litre capacity even with the roof in the down position. The storage compartment is concealed beneath a flush-fitting body panel which incorporates aerodynamic 'blisters' resembling roll-over bars, fitted with a transparent wind break to reduce air turbulence within the cabin.

Inside, the Spider features driver-orientated ergonomics and an instrument binnacle with large, deeply hooded speedometer and tachometer dials joined by subsidiary fuel and temperature gauges. A brushed aluminium-faced centre console incorporates an electronic key-activated engine start button, and standard equipment includes automatic Dual Zone climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a multi-function display and trip computer, and a six-speaker audio system with CD. A leather interior is standard on V6 versions.

Pricing for the new Alfa Spider starts at £25,995 on-the-road for the 2.2 JTS and climbs to £32,700 on-the-road for the 3.2 JTS V6 Q4 automatic. Watch out for our full review of the new Spider soon on the main Alfa Romeo road tests page.

Eric Gallina - 26 Feb 2007