Test drive Alfa Romeo Spider: Forza Italia

An open red sports car and two seats - this is what the "dough" looks like, from which most of the dreams of connoisseurs of automotive beauty are mixed. Alfa Romeo test Spider - a car close enough to the realization of this dream.

The first thing we need to notice is that the Spider is still more of a lifestyle convertible than a purebred sportsman. The car has everything a modern person could want, including a navigation system, heated and electrically adjustable seats, and much more. In fact, the aforementioned navigation system, with its outdated technology, is one of the Spider's few serious interior flaws, along with possibly functional levers behind the wheel.

Real Engine Alpha

The add-ons at the top of the center console are angled slightly towards the driver and evoke a sense of nostalgia. The state-of-the-art four-cylinder engine in the base version of this Alfa model reaches 7000 rpm with incredible softness and smoothness and virtually no vibration. Nevertheless, you can safely drive around the city in fourth gear at a speed of 30 km / h, without losing a drop of its agility in the manner of work.

The sound of the 2,2-liter engine is most impressive in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range and definitely makes us regret the legal restrictions on car engine noise. The rest of the dynamic characteristics of the car are good, although it does not shine with unprecedented achievements.

Average fuel consumption is 13,9 liters per 100 km.

Naturally, driving pleasure increases many times over if the soft roof is hidden behind the back of the pilot and co-pilot. As the speed increases, the "hurricane" behind the windshield intensifies and reminds that the Spider is still hiding genes from the old roadsters of the brand, but it must be admitted that the vortex in the cabin is strong. but not invalid.

In terms of driving comfort, owners of this Alfa need to show some understanding of their car, although the model's predecessors have actually driven many times harder in the past, both in this respect and compared to most cars. among competitors, the Spider is almost a comfortable car. The expansive interior space is also a real boon over long distances. The unfortunate thing is that the Italians were quite generous in terms of fuel consumption - the average consumption in the test of 13,9 liters per 100 km - definitely an awful lot for an engine of this caliber - the car's measuring equipment showed a similar value. motor und sport until the 30s one of the progenitors of the modern model ... But now the Spider has become incomparably more reliable and solid, an example of torsional resistance, which in turn had a negative effect on its own weight.

However, there is no dispute about one thing - the Alfa Romeo Spider is one of the relatively affordable opportunities to realize the dream of a two-seater street sports car with breathtaking design, proper power plant and chassis.

Text: Goetz Layrer

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert