Refined: the Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider

Most of the changes to the Brera and Spider have been made in the cabin, and Alfa claims newly designed seats add comfort and hold occupants better

Alfa Romeo has made extensive changes to its Brera and Spider models, to improve comfort levels.

Most of the changes to the Brera and Spider have been made in the cabin, and Alfa claims newly designed seats add comfort and hold occupants better.

The satellite navigation is now fully integrated into the centre of the dashboard, and buttons for features including the air conditioning have been repositioned for greater ease of use.

A splash of metallic paint on the dashboard, control panel and steering wheel adds colour to the cockpit.

The door panel, door handle, gear knob, steering wheel are now all finished in metallic paint or carbon fibre.

It is also possible to match the latest leather seats on offer to stitched trim on the dashboard and other interior panels.

Other features fitted on the 2008 Spider and Brera ranges are electronic stability control, seven airbags, dual-zone climate control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control and 17-inch wheels.

Optional extras include xenon headlights, 18 or 19-inch wheels, an upgraded Bose hi-fi, Bluetooth, CD multi-changer and a tyre pressure warning system.

Both the Spider and Brera have also been on a diet, with lightweight wheels, suspension and brake components shedding several kilograms.

A 2.2-litre 185bhp and 3.2-litre V6 260bhp petrol engine are available, alongside a 2.4-litre diesel engine with 200bhp or 210bhp.

We expect prices to range from £23,000 to £28,000 when the revised models go on sale.