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With its latest Spider convertible, Alfa has spun in lots of style and luxury, but the drive isn’t as stirring as expected, writes Byron Mathioudakis.
Didn’t Dustin Hoffman drive an Alfa Spider in The Graduate?
He sure did. And even though Alfa had been building sexy convertibles for many years prior, it was the 1967 film that launched both their careers internationally.
Well, the convertible does have movie star looks.
It certainly does, from that shark-like nose to its pert tail, this is nothing short of an Italian supermodel, and the most elegant ragtop you can buy this side of an Aston Martin.
Is it nice inside too?
We’d say it is beautifully tailored – like a fine Italian suit. The leather trim is lovely, the fit and finish surprisingly good, and the overall ambience inviting.
There are no qualms about the driving position either, since the chunky little steering wheel adjusts in two directions, freeing up the view of the evocatively styled instruments.
Like most Alfas, the dash offers ample ventilation from a clutch of circular outlets, fingertip reach for all controls, and an assortment of storage places.
Erecting the electric fabric roof is easy, and turns the Spider from a comfortable and spacious two-seater sun-seeker into a cocooning coupe that neither rain nor hail could penetrate, as we discovered.
We also appreciated the sizeable boot (for a convertible), as well as the space immediately behind the seats that can hold softer luggage for a last-minute dirty weekend away.
And the lack of the faddish metal folding roof means the boot is also big enough for everyday use, adding a welcome level of practicality to those Sophia Loren looks.
Excellent. But is it as hot to drive?
This depends on your attitude.
If you’re expecting a racy sports car then look elsewhere, because the 2.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – though amply powerful and impressively smooth – must haul a heavy body around, and so needs a heavy right foot to hustle it along from launch.
On the move, though, it certainly is quick enough, and is aided by a slick six-speed manual gearbox that is far preferable to the optional and jerky Selespeed clutchless manual.
And while the Alfa lacks the dynamic sharpness of a BMW, it steers accurately, corners sweetly, rides better than most (although bumpy roads do make the body shimmer a little), and won’t become a handful in a sudden manoeuvre.
So, on a whole, this is best seen as a laidback cruiser with lots of refinement, safety and stability built in. But it won’t set your pulse racing.
So would you buy one?
We never grew tired looking at or sitting inside it with the roof down, soaking in the lovely mechanical sounds. As an alternative to a base model BMW Z4 or Mercedes SLK, the Alfa makes sense, particularly as it costs considerably less.
But there is no denying we would be altogether much happier if this car went harder and steered and handled more like a balanced sports car.
Still, driving a Spider didn’t hold Dustin back, and it probably won’t hold you back either!
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