The Brera took 7.0sec to hit 60mph, while 100mph took 18.8sec: times the Ford Focus ST has no problem outdoing.
We could forgive statistical disappointment if the Brera’s engine had howled away at us in the grand tradition of Alfa V6s. It’s reasonably smooth and pleasant to the ear, but you could say that about many V6s on the market.
The Brera’s weight hits fuel economy hard. Its claimed combined consumption of 24.6mpg is worse than all rivals save the wildly quicker 350Z, which it beats by a scant 0.5mpg. Our own tests revealed an overall thirst of 18.6mpg; when driven economically, little over 30mpg can be expected.
But what Alfa was ever just about acceleration and economy? Proper Alfas have always waited for the corners and the Brera, weight issues notwithstanding, seems well placed to emulate these achievements.
Not only is there a sizeable amount of power going to the rear wheels, something for which Alfisti have clamoured for years, but there are double wishbones at the front and a multi-link axle behind.
The Brera behaves as a well-sorted front-driver would, understeering significantly but always ready to tighten its line if you ease off the throttle. You can drive the Brera over its limits in the wet, confident that the transmission will redistribute power to prevent the nose from ploughing on, yet with the assurance that the rear axle won’t be pushed beyond the grip threshold.
What it’ll never let you do is unstick the back of the car, as any rear-drive rival will.
Some will find its progress over urban divots and bumps irksomely unsettled. But give it some speed and it smoothes out into the kind of firm posture you’d hope for from a properly sporting car.
Pedal feel is first class and retardation levels strong, at least until you start thrashing it around a track. There, you’ll need to manage the brakes with some care if they are to remain fade-free. On the road, this is not an issue.
