Alfa's turbo twins no go for Oz
UK customers are offered two frugal new engines for Brera and Spider, but Aussies miss outAlfa Romeo will add two new turbocharged powerplants to its UK lineup this month. The sporty Brera and Spider models each score new four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines aimed at limiting the tax impost for registration in Europe.
Both engines are produced by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) and first featured in Alfa's 159 range late last year. In the Brera and Spider, they will complement the existing gamut of petrol and diesel offerings, promising even greater fuel savings, lower emission outputs and added driveability.
Leading the dynamic duo, Alfa Romeo's 1750 TBi (petrol) engine is an all-new lightweight unit featuring double overhead camshafts with the latest variable valve timing, direct fuel injection and turbocharging technology.
The 16-valve, four-cylinder unit develops 147kW of power between 4750 and 5000rpm, with 320Nm of torque available from a low 1400rpm. At the same time, the squeaky-clean petrol engine offers keen fuel economy figures and ultra-low CO2 emissions (189g/km in Brera models and 192g/km in Spider models).
Maintaining Alfa's sporting zeal, the new 1750 TBi engine also boasts impressive acceleration times with the 0-100km/h sprint managed in just 7.7 and 7.8 seconds for Brera and Spider models respectively. Both petrol-powered vehicles have a top speed of 235km/h.
In the diesel corner, Alfa Romeo's torquey new 2.0 JTDM common rail unit delivers even more power and torque, while at the same time increasing fuel efficiency and lowering CO2 emissions.
Utilising the Italian brand's latest MultiJet technology, Alfa's four-cylinder turbocharged diesel produces 125kW of power at 4000rpm and a brawny 360Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500rpm.
The figures see 0-100km/h times fall to just 8.8 and 9.0 seconds for the Brera and Spider respectively, with top speeds for both models of 218km/h. CO2 emissions have been trimmed to just 142g/km.
Alfa Romeo's Australian importer Ateco Automotive told the Carsales Network that although the new engines would be perfectly suited down under, our different tax system makes import costs prohibitive.
"The new engines were designed to work within the European tax system," said Ateco Public Affairs Manager Edward Rowe.
"Unfortunately Australia doesn't have a CO2 rebate system, meaning the additional costs of the new technologies can't be passed on to the customer.
"Increasingly, this is becoming an issue in accessing such engines here in Australia."
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