Odd thing, the Brera S. Back in 2008 Alfa Romeo UK spent £1m with Dave Richards at Prodrive, tweaking and shaving 100kg from the standard Brera, resulting in a much crisper and more fluent car. The £28,450 list price (a £1450 premium over stock) lost the four-wheel drive, and gained hollow anti-roll bars, aluminum uprights, Eibach springs, Bilstein dampers, new Brembo brakes, 19-inch teledial alloys, and improved interior detailing with red stitching.
VALUE 2012-2013 £14K
VALUE NOW 2018-2019 £12K
Forget the 182bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder, but go for the 256bhp 3.2 V6 and you’ll see 60 in seven seconds and a 155mph top speed. It’s one of Prodrive’s best transformations and the front-drive Brera S V6 is much more adjustable on the throttle with strong grip and alert responses. The ride is harder but tarmac connection is much improved; drive one and you’ll wonder why it had four-wheel drive in the first place. Alfa UK claimed it just broke even on every car and the conversion was a flagship exercise. That’s good news for collectors because there were only 500 produced.
They’ve stayed under the radar for the last decade but I’m seeing prices tickle up. Make sure anything you buy has the all-important Certificate of Authenticity that lists the build number. A private seller in Devon has a black 2008 with 76k and six services for £10,495 while Auto Lusso in Bournemouth has a black 2009 with 64,000 miles and full history for £12,995. There aren’t many budget classics made in such limited numbers that are so quick and usable day-to-day or rewarding. The Prodrive Alfa Brera S V6 could be a shrewd buy for the future.
