One of the world's most enduring sports cars is proof that life can begin at fifty.
The Alfa Romeo Spider is entering the prime of life with the fourth generation in five decades, and it's arguably the most eye-catching of the new roadster breed hitting UK showrooms this spring and brings with it the much sought after Cabrio of the Year award.
Developed from the Brera coupe, the Spider nevertheless has a unique platform and chassis where it has been given additional strengthening to overcome the loss of the metal roof.
Mechanically it is the same package as the coupe but with the Spider two-seater comes a fabric electric roof which is fully automatic and in-built roll-bars and glass wind baffle behind the headrests of the big seats.
There is some loss of bootspace with the hood compartment but it remains a good sized load area at 200 litres and there are useful lockable compartments behind the seats and a large glove box and slim door bins.
In typical Alfa Romeo fashion it comes very highly specified from a technical viewpoint so you get six speed box, powered steering and advanced braking and traction control systems, and four wheel drive and auto option on the top version.
In the trim package you have dual zone air con, cruise control, fog lights and headlamp delay, parking sensors, on-board computer and six speaker radio/CD player, while leather is standard on the V6.
Options include xenon lights, sat nav, powered seats higher grade sound system and wireless phone adaption as well as bigger alloys.
The Spider comes with a choice of two petrol engines, 185bhp four-cylinder 2.2 and 260bhp 3.2V6, or the popular 200bhp five-cylinder 2.4 MultiJet turbo-diesel. Six speed manual boxes are standard but the V6 is available with the QTronic selectable semi/ full automatic transmission with column paddles and it gets standard four wheel drive.
Top speed of the 2.2 is claimed to be 138mph with 0-62mph in 8.8sec and overall consumption of around 30mpg and 221gkmCO² while the 3.2 is good for 149mph, 0-62mph in 7 or 7.2sec with manual or autobox, and emissions of 273 or 289gkmCO² respectively while the 2.4 does 142mph, 0-62mph in 8.4sec and 179gkmCO².
Prices are £25,995 for the 2.2JTS; £31,250 3.2JTS Q4; £32,700 3.2 Q4 QTronic and £28,995 2.4 JTD.
Alfa Sipder FIRST DRIVE IMPRESSIONS
In a first drive this week, I tested the two petrol versions.
The 2.2 four cylinder petrol was eager and provided good acceleration with plenty of low down power. It pulled strongly and the gearchange was direct and had well matched ratios to make the most of the power available. Steering and brakes were nicely balanced and you could bring it rapidly to halt from speed with utter and precise control.
The 3.2V6 was even stronger and appreciably quieter at mid to high revs. but I was not sure it was as responsive in some situations. There seemed to be noticeably longer clutch travel on the manual 3.2 than the 2.2 but the ratios were just as capable of maximising the power which effortlessly poured out of the engine.
This felt more surefooted and smooth riding than the smaller stablemate and both cars produced little wind noise or buffeting thanks to the swept back windscreen and rear baffle screen.
I particularly liked the driving position in the Spider with its front and back lifting of the cushion, the finely adjustable backrest and reach/ rake selection on t he column. Few should complain about getting the ideal driving position.
Room is good for driver and passenger alike and even with the five-layer fabric hood erect there is good clearance, very low wind noise and it seemed snug. Because the hood folds flat into the rear deck the visibility is very good over the shoulder or in the mirror and with it erect you only loose some rear three-quarter vision.
The fully electric operation of the hood in 25 seconds needs no more effort from the user than holding down a switch so it's a very sophisticated system all round. And refinement is what owners expect in this expanding sports car sector, with half being bought by women.
Good performance is taken for granted with an Alfa Romeo and in the Spider a driver should not be disappointed.
It is one of the few roadsters available with a diesel engine, which was annoyingly not available for a first drive, and this is likely to be a strong attraction when the orders are evaluated.
In the first year, Alfa Romeo anticipate selling 700 Spider models but they cannot say for sure how the demand will break down and it's still speculation at this point. In its best year, the previous generation only sold 700 but it's a fact that the sector is doing well and a higher total is likely.
To go with the new car and a reinvigorated marque, Alfa Romeo has overhauled its network, terminating 35 dealers and raising the requirements of existing and new comers. There are now about 50 sales and service centres and 15 service only facilities across the country.
With sharper business focus of Alfa Romeo and the new range there is probably no better time to look hard at the Spider if you want an eye-catching and value for money roadster under £26,000. You certainly don't want to wait another decade.