ALFA ROMEO once occupied an uneasy slot in British automotive choices.
Its products were invariably sporty and good looking but the marque became bogged down with problems regarding reliability and quality of manufacture. It had its friends who stuck to the brand like its cars stick to the road - but things just had to get better.
And they did with a range of cars that are now not only stunning to look at and unforgettable to drive, but can stand comparison with the best of its competitors.
Brera is a sports coupe and in my book is the best looking of its kind. It is a car that arouses emotion and is typically Italian.
The version I drove is the V6 which is available with the Q4 transmission with all-wheel-drive as standard.
The V6 power and all-wheel traction make this a driver's car all the way.
Alfas were always renowned for their roadholding but this one puts the whole game into a new league.
The V6 is one of those cars that makes your life speed up. With a wary eye on speed limits you suddenly find yourself cornering beautifully and taking much more notice of the best line through bends and get the feeling that the car is lapping it up. It's just enjoyment on wheels.
The planners and designers had only one aim in mind: to marry the elegant, sporty line of an outstanding car with the quality and comfort of a luxury saloon. This they have done without doubt.
Features that make this car so special include a panoramic fixed glass roof that allows more light into the car and gives passengers a sensation of space
The cockpit is functional but embodies a traditional Italian sports car outlook with much use made of brushed aluminium.
The Q-Tronic transmission system suits the car extremely well and can be used for manual changes via steering column paddles if desired. It guarantees maximum comfort for the driver in 'stop and go' situations typical of urban traffic, where you are constantly changing gear to deal with continuous changes in speed.
In addition, because there is no interruption in torque delivery when changing gear, the system eliminates the unpleasant jerkiness associated with a sudden absence of acceleration.
This Brera with the powerful 3.2 V6 features same 4x4 system with three differentials already adopted on the Alfa 159 Q4.
The basic torque distribution of the Q4 system is mainly to the rear (57%) for a sporty drive. Due to its locking effect, the central differential is able to send drive torque to the axle with the best grip on the ground moment by moment.
Alfa Brera also comes with one of the most advanced ABS systems on the market today.
This is a very different animal to the diesel equivalent I tested some time ago. The Brera V6 is much more in the great tradition of how an Italian sports car should feel.
FAST FACTS
Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 JTS V6 Q4 SV 3dr auto
Price: £30,700
Mechanical: 260bhp, 3,195cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving all wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 149mph
0-62mph: 7.0 secs
Combined mpg: 23.2
CO2 emissions: 289g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 8yrs anti-rust