The Alfa Romeo Spider is a two-seat convertible sports car with an electrically operated fabric hood. Most observers agree that the Alfa Romeo Spider is beautifully designed, inside and out, with exquisite detail highlighting its Italian heritage.
A range of strong engines is vital to the Spider’s appeal as a driver’s car and top models are equipped with four-wheel drive for enhanced traction in slippery conditions. Sharp, precise steering and ample grip deliver good handling.
Comfort, solid construction and excellent safety provision are also important attributes that add to the real-world substance which lies behind the Spider’s desirable and prestigious image.
The Alfa Romeo Spider has a well-appointed two-seat cabin and a 200-litre boot. The folding fabric roof is electrically powered in every model. A wind deflector is also fitted as standard to reduce air turbulence to a minimum in the cabin during top-down motoring.
The single trim level for each technical variant mentioned above is well provisioned. Every Alfa Romeo Spider is equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, a six-speaker radio/CD sound system, cruise control, electrically heated and folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors and alloy wheels. Leather upholstery, satellite navigation, bi-xenon headlights and a Bose sound system are all available as optional extras, together with automatic wipers and lights.
Every Alfa Romeo Spider is fitted with five airbags including one for the driver’s knees. In addition, the driver and passenger front airbags have two-stage activation and the passenger airbag can be deactived using the ignition key to allow the use of a rear-facing child seat.
Sophisticated driver aids, which help to reduce the risk of an accident occurring include VDC stability control, anti-lock braking and ASR anti-wheelspin. Safety and security equipment also extends to an alarm and immobiliser, which are standard across the Alfa Romeo Spider range.
The smallest carbon footprint – 179g/km – is made by the 2.4 JTDm diesel model fitted with a manual gearbox. The same model emits 208g/km with the Q-Tronic transmission. The lowest-emitting petrol model is the 2.2 JTS, with 218g/km.
The Alfa Romeo Spider comes with a choice of four, five and six-cylinder engines, as well as petrol or diesel, six-speed manual or six-speed Q-Tronic automatic transmissions and front-wheel drive or Q4 four-wheel drive.
The diesel in the line-up is the muscular, five-cylinder 2.4 JTDm, which develops 200bhp with the Q-Tronic transmission and 210bhp with a manual gearbox. Backed by 400Nm of pulling power, the manual version can reach 62mph from standstill in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 144mph. However, it is also capable of 41.5mpg fuel economy and emits just 179g/km of CO2.
The 185bhp four-cylinder 2.2 JTS also offers a good balance between economy and performance. This petrol-engined model combines similar pace (0-62mph in 8.2 seconds and 139mph) with 30.7mpg economy and 218g/km emissions.
The 2.2 JTS and 2.4 JTDm models are available with front-wheel drive. So is the 260bhp 3.2 JTS V6 but this smooth, powerful range-topping version also offers the option of Q4 four-wheel drive for enhanced traction. Equipped with Q4, it is available with manual or Q-Tronic transmission.
All 3.2 JTS variants place more emphasis on pace than economy. The front-wheel-drive 3.2 JTS offers 155mph performance and can sprint from zero to 62mph in 7.1 seconds. However, economy of 25.5mpg and 262g/km emissions remain very respectable given the performance potential.
The Alfa Romeo Spider is priced from £25,374. That is for the spirited 185 BHP 2.2 JTS petrol version. The equivalent diesel model is the 2.4 JTDm, which is £28,799 with a manual gearbox or £30,219 with Q-Tronic automatic transmission. The 3.2 JTS V6 models start at £28,804 and rise to £32,180 for the Q4 four-wheel-drive version equipped with Q-Tronic transmission.