Alfa Spider Review

Alfa Spider

There are no trim levels as such however, there is a difference in that the two smaller-engined cars are upholstered in easy-clean Alfatex - leather is a £1,000 optional extra - while both versions of the 3.2 have leather as standard and they all come with a choice of three two-tone colourways. Frau Pieno Fiore leather is available throughout the range, with prices of £2,400 and £1,400 for the 3.2. The price difference is because in the 3.2, it is more of an upgrade than a complete re-covering. The price of this leather package also includes electrically-adjustable heated seats with a memory function for the driver, together with powered folding mirrors, which without the Frau leather would come to £800.

Apart from the upholstery variation, there is nothing to choose between them in terms of specification. The whole range benefits from automatic dual-zone climate control, tinted windows, a leather-covered steering wheel and gear-knob, cruise control, stainless steel kick plates, an electric push-button engine start/stop and a brushed-aluminium centre console.

The centre console is a lot less intimidating than that in the previous Spider but remains the main feature of the interior. It is relatively large and now extends to surround the gearshift. While the aluminium brightens the dark cabin, it does have the ability to dazzle in the sunshine when the roof is down. Strangely, the design is uncharacteristically clumsy and
not in keeping with the rest of the car but is nonetheless, driver-focused and functional. The uppermost part is dominated by three large, circular air vents and echoed by three recessed dials bearing the chic legends; olio, acqua and benzina. Below this is the Bose radio/CD player, which is standard across the range.

The audio system can be enhanced to include MP3 capability (£250) or a 10-CD autochanger (£300). Alternatively, the Bose sound system with digital amplifier and 8 speakers instead of the normal, six can be specified at a cost of £600. Blue & Me, hands-free system with voice recognition, media player and USN in the glovebox adds £300 and there are two satellite-navigation systems available, priced at £1,450 and £1,750, which come with other goodies, such as the autochanger.

You can’t help but feel at one with the car as you sit in the sporty seats and it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position by making use of the manually-operated height, rake and lumbar adjustments in conjunction with the rake- and reach-adjustable steering wheel. Unfortunately, this extent of seat-adjustment is limited to the driver - if the passenger wants the same degree of function, it adds £100 to the price. Also, a word of warning to tall people; either have your seat low or remember to duck because the top of the windscreen is quite low and the closing roof will connect with your head before it connects with the locking/docking mechanism.