Generation Cyb

Autodelta is delighted to announce that it will reveal the bespoke Alfa 159 J4 2.2 C after 18 months of rigorous improvement of the 2.2 JTS direct injection engine at a special occasion at the Yacht Harbour of Driessen, Amsterdam this coming June 20-21, 2008.

The Auto Channel reported that the Autodelta J4 2.2 C which denotes “Compressore,” will develop into the third member of the elite bespoke J-series models. It will join the Brera J5 3.2 C and Spider J6 3.2 C in the array when it is commercialized starting July 1st. Its primary theme carries on a long tradition of employing forced orientation principles by Autodelta to expand nothing less than the very definitive expression of high performance motoring like the other two recognized sports cars with its splendid auto body parts.

On the other hand, the 159 J4 2.2 C will be launched with a supercharged edition of the 2.2 JTS direct injection petrol engine while the Brera J5 and Spider J6 models with their outstanding auto body parts have a deep focus on advancing Alfa Romeo’s 3.2 V6 engine. The addition of a Rotrex C30-74 supercharger and a specifically-enhanced system boosts the 2.2-litre unit’s power from the standard 185bhp up to 245 bhp, a boost of 60 bhp. For the time being peak torque is elevated from 230Nm to 290Nm, providing the sports saloon an additional 60Nm of torque.

“Both are high compression engines, which mean that a very thorough development programme is called for,” says Autodelta’s Managing Director Jano Djelalian, “but one of the biggest advantages is that a high performance driving experience can be coupled to excellent fuel efficiency, something that is becoming more important with ever rising oil prices.”

Actually, Autodelta’s technical brilliance is pretty basically unconcealed: no other company has been able to effectively supercharge and commercialize Alfa Romeo’s direct-injection JTS engines.

“Alfa Romeo created a superbly stylish sports car with the Brera, and one that we were able to take forward in a number of areas,” says Jano, “It moved us forward as we welcomed a whole new type of customer coming through our doors; for the first time we also had one model that was in demand right across the world, and as well as gearing up to cope with it here, we had to take our global network of agents one step further.”

“The J5 arrived just as we celebrated our 20th anniversary,” continues Jano, “and it has superbly launched us into our third decade.”

Alfa Romeo will launch the Alfa 147 Murphy&Nye on June 9 and 10. On this dates, the public will be able to examine and try out the new version that has resulted from consolidation between Alfa Romeo and the company that is famous for its brand of nautical clothing and sportswear that are created for racing. Murphy&Nye is a name very well known in the yachting world.

The car, powered by the glittering 120 bhp 1.9 JTDM, comes with exclusive Light blue Crystal bodywork, 17” alloys and a chrome-plated exhaust terminal. Sharing the same satin-effect finish are the grille, whiskers and wing mirrors. The Murphy&Nye logo adds to the details in the pillar and rear end.

The sporty effect is even more improved on the interior and it is emphasized by an original length that links the car world to the world of yachts. As a result, a blue and cream color combination lightens the interior, leather seats that are very sporty with blue side strips and a cream seat, and the Alfa Romeo logo that comes with red embroidery on the head restraints. An additional touch of detailed refinements is given by the red coulisse on the gaiters of the gear lever and hand brake knobs and on the document pockets of the seats. The link between the car world and the yachting world is further emphasized by the kick-panels which are decorated with the M&N logo and the rope and the mats’ “frogging” pattern.

The wide array of M&N accessories includes a large bag, a key-ring and a document folder that carries the company logo. The fog lights, dual zone automatic climate control, Cruise Control, a trip computer, VDC, ASR, 6 airbags and a radio complete with CD player and 6 speakers come standard on the new car which is available with a 5-door body and a list price of ¤ 24.690 on the road.

The Alfa 147 Murphy&Nye excellently reflects a passion for racing, for a challenge and for freedom – the values shared by the two companies. Any Alfa Romeo model has always blended the uniqueness of Italian style with a high technological content, performance at the top of its class, emotions, exciting drive and, of course, total safety. Murphy&Nye, on the other hand, has established their name in the yachting world since then. Before they moved on to the creation of technical clothing designed and made for the racing world, it started with sail production before constantly experimenting new high technology fabrics.

The stunning Alfa 147 Murphy&Nye is very urban and sporty. It is designed for those who have active lifestyles, and who prefers beauty with practicality and convenience.

About Alfa Romeo

An Italian automobile manufacturer, Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910. Maker of quality Alfa-Romeo oxygen sensor, the company since 1986 has been a part of the Fiat Group.

Alfa Romeo was originally known as A.L.F.A., which is an acronym for “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” or Lombard Automobile Factory, Public Company, in English.

About Murphy&Nye

Murphy&Nye is one of the oldest and most prestigious brand names in world yachting. It dates back to the distant days of 1933, when Jim Murphy and Harry Nye Jr. founded Murphy&Nye Sailmakers in Chicago, which was to remain a benchmark in international competitive sailing for over 50 years.

Marketing director at Alfa Romeo UK, Nicholas Bernard, says: “Significantly, the Alfa Romeo Brera S isn’t simply about brute force, it’s about how the available power is transferred to the road and how the road surface is communicated back to the driver to bring new levels of sports handling and driver-focused confidence and involvement.”

According to Prodrive Project Leader, Peter Cambridge, the result is “a car that ’shrinks’ around the driver and delivers all the fun and engagement of a sports car driving experience on A and B-roads. Yet, on motorways, offers a compliant and composed ride.”

The sports car driving experience is achieved by reducing roll and pitch, flattening the cornering attitude, and subsequently instilling confidence-inspiring steering.

Peter Cambridge comments: “Our painstaking work with the spring set-up controls exactly how much the car pitches and rolls with every lump, bump, camber and pothole on our roads. Then we developed the dampers to control the rate at which the springs respond. Once we were satisfied with that, we set about really affecting the feel and response of the steering to inspire confidence.”

To reduce roll and pitch and achieve an even flatter cornering attitude, Prodrive commissioned bespoke Eibach coil springs and Bilstein dampers.

Spring rates are increased by over 50 per cent compared to the standard Alfa Brera, giving the car a more nimble and agile feel, while the specially tuned gas-filled mono-tube dampers give tighter body control. A careful balance has been created to maintain good compliance over ridges and bumps in the road.

At the same time, the suspension static geometry has also been revised to optimise steering and handling. These changes, together with new 19? alloy wheels and Pirelli PZero Nero tyres, have created a more responsive turn-in to corners, with increased driver feedback, allowing the driver to explore the dynamic limits of the car.

To further enhance suspension geometry, the car parts have been lowered by 10 mm front and rear. This lower centre of gravity helps reduce roll and improve cornering and braking performance. In addition, the lowered suspension gives the Alfa Romeo Brera S a more purposeful stance.

At each corner of the Alfa Romeo Brera S, unique Alfa 8C Competizione-inspired, lightweight 19? alloy wheels have been fitted. Although the wheels are eye-catching, the all-new design was commissioned by Prodrive primarily for performance, rather than just cosmetic appeal. The reason is unsprung weight – the weight carried by the car on the ‘road side’ of the spring and shock absorber. This plays a significant role in the way the car steers, handles and transmits feedback to the driver.

The lighter the wheel, the better it tracks undulations in the road surface without requiring heavy damping to control it. The unsprung weight has been further reduced by the adoption of hollow anti-roll bars and aluminium suspension components from the Factory.

As a result, the weight of both Alfa Romeo Brera S models is lower than the rest of the range. The front-wheel drive 3.2 V6 JTS is almost 100 kg lighter than the Q4 version and the 2.2 JTS version weighs 35 kg less.

The Alfa Romeo Brera S also sounds different from the standard range. The original characteristic growl of the V6 has been enhanced by careful redesign of the rear silencers. Thanks to a Holmholtz resonator connected in tandem with each silencer, the 2.2 JTS model now emits a sportier yet refined burble.

The car parts exhaust has been altered to mirror the shape of the rear lights. Finished with chrome embellishers, they feature a Prodrive logo on the tailpipe exterior. This is just one of several subtle exterior enhancements to the award-winning Alfa Brera, including Prodrive branded front stone deflectors, and a bespoke red ‘S’ or ‘SV6? on the C-pillar.

Inside the 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Romeo Brera S, changes are more obvious. Not only are the supportive sports seats upholstered in soft black Frau® leather with red stitching, so are the dashboard fascia, door panels, steering wheel and gearlever. The centre console and instruments are faced in a dark finish. This interior can also be specified on the 2.2 JTS version.

Foot pedals are fashioned from drilled aluminium and the headrest recess houses a limited edition Brera S aluminium plate, featuring the flags of Italy and Britain.

For the record, the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Romeo Brera S can reach 62 mph from rest in 8.6 and 7.0 seconds respectively, on the way to maximum speeds of 139 and 155 mph.

The transition from Alfa Brera to Brera S takes place at Alfa Romeo UK’s dedicated import centre, near Bristol, and is overseen by Prodrive.

Nicholas Bernard says: “The standard Brera is well loved and delivers a great all-round driving experience. But the Alfa Romeo Brera S is deliberately honed, tuned and fettled for British roads and aimed directly at a dedicated audience of driving enthusiasts.”