STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY FOR MAXIMUM IN-CAR WELLBEING
 

The Alfa Brera surrounds the driver and passenger with technologies that ensure the very highest acoustic and climatic comfort. The result is a cosseting, enveloping environment, free from vibration thanks to the careful soundproofing and the outstanding torsional and flexural rigidity of the bodyshell. And more: the Alfa Brera offers a dual zone automatic climate control system; a generous sky roof; a sophisticated infotelematic system - and a Bose® Sound System. Comfort also means automatic devices that reduce the demands of driving on the motorist: examples include a rain sensor, Cruise Control, dusk sensor and parking sensor. The new car can see off all its rivals when it comes to comfort.

Climatic comfort

Interior climate is one of the main comfort factors during a trip and is also very important for interior safety because temperature, humidity and ventilation affect the driver's well-being and thus his or her level of alertness. And of course the heating and ventilation system is also responsible for demisting the windscreen and side windows. This is why the Alfa Brera offers a choice of two climate systems according to the specification and market (automatic dual-zone and manual).

The dual zone device is equipped with an automatic control system that automatically controls temperature, air flow, air distribution, compressor activation and recirculation by means of an electronic control unit. The Alfa Brera also implements an equivalent temperature climate control strategy. It records internal and external temperature by means of certain sensors and assesses the sensation of thermal well-being experienced by passengers, i.e. the energy exchange between human body and passenger compartment that is affected by humidity, temperature and treated air flow. Another sensor located in a central position at the windscreen base records solar radiation on the car and the angle at which the rays strike the passenger compartment. This allows the system to prevent an excessive increase in temperature inside the car caused by the sun and thus to inform the climate control system in time. The automatic dual zone climate system can provide two different temperatures and air flows simultaneously: one in the right part of the passenger compartment and the other in the left.

The Alfa Brera also offers a sensor that verifies air quality in addition to the dual zone climate control system: the Air Quality System (AQS). This system allows occupants of the Alfa Brera to breathe clean air at all times, even when driving through town or in traffic jams and tunnels. The sensor controls the recirculation function that is turned on automatically to block the intake of outside air into the car when driving through places with high smog levels.

Panoramic glass roof with sunblind 

The Alfa Brera may be fitted with a large glass sunroof that represents a first for this segment and offers a new way of experiencing car travel. This latest generation device consists of a green bonded laminated glass panel - ground on all sides with screen printing and seal around the edge. It is fitted with an interior blind that covers the glazed compartment. In detail, the blind consists of 3 panels that slide independently toward the rear of the vehicle on two black anodised aluminium guides. When travelling, the customer can choose how much light to allow into the passenger compartment by adjusting the electric control (located high up on the central courtesy light).

The infotelematic system

The Alfa Brera may be equipped as an option with a sophisticated cutting-edge infotelematic system that includes a satellite navigation system, radio, CD player, dual-band GSM, hands free phone, voice commands and connect services. The device is equipped with a 6.5 inch TFT colour screen (active matrix) that allows the driver to follow easy instructions for the set route on the display (and also voice commands). Drivers can also access all the functions of the system by saying them aloud, without taking their hands off the wheel. This telematic system was designed to put technology at the service of drivers and make life on board even more comfortable and easy during trips. All this comes courtesy of the GPS/GSM network and the benefits of satellite communication: one press of the green key allows customers to communicate in hands free mode in their own language with an operator who can meet all their information and service requirements.
 

The various services include Medical Consultancy and Roadside Rescue (active 24 hours a day) and Drive Me, which allows the driver to receive the address or telephone number of an individual or company. The operator also makes information available on an on-board display via a text message so that the destination may be set by means of a single key. The phone number in the message can be phoned easily and immediately without having to key in the number.

The Alfa Brera customer can also take advantages of connect services at any time, when travelling, in his leisure time, or even at home, from a land line or enabled cell phone, thanks to Alfa Voice. This is a personal assistant that is always on hand to offer suggestions and advice regarding the easiest route to avoid traffic, to search for an address or telephone number, to book an air ticket, a hotel or a favourite restaurant, providing updates about news and sports events. Alfa Voice also provides weather and snow forecasts and information on shows, films, exhibitions and concerts, fashionable night spots, shopping centres, campsites, rural retreats, museums, hospitals, chemists' rotas, cash points, service outlets and service stations.

Bose® Sound System

The Bose® Sound System produced for Alfa Romeo by the US company Bose, a leader in the Hi-Fi sound sector, offers each passenger exceptional listening quality under all driving conditions. The Hi-Fi system has a power output of 570 Watts, an acoustic system with six speakers and a subwoofer with a 6-channel digital amplifier (200 Watts) built into the luggage compartment, which plays the lowest frequencies.

The Bose® Sound System arouses the same emotions as you feel when you listen to a live concert. The system offers realistic reproduction with crystal clear high notes and full, rich bass tones. It does not fall into the trap of creating unnatural sounds that are initially appealing but are tiresome for the listener in the long run. The credit goes to the new arrangement of the tweeters, on the facia with a central diffuser. The sound also wraps around all the occupants and gives them the sensation that it is travelling through a much larger environment, because the sound system and the passenger compartment have been designed together to ensure perfect harmony between the technical specifications of both.

To achieve this result, the Bose® engineers carefully chose all the parts of the stereo system and established the best possible speaker position in relation to the listeners with the aid of advanced design software.  An integrated signal processor automatically adjusts bass tones so that they are always perfect at any volume. The device is more sophisticated than ordinary volume controls on conventional devices and ensures a high-quality sound that is always natural. An active equalisation circuit also ensures an excellent automatic electronic balance of all output frequencies, great stability and clarity of tone throughout the audio range. Which means being able to enjoy impeccable musical reproduction in all driving conditions. Sound clarity is also aided by active compressor circuits that ensure the system does not display any distortion, even when the volume is turned up high. The interaction between all these sophisticated components gives rise to the extraordinary sound that has made the Bose® brand famous throughout the world.

Rain, dusk and parking sensors and built-in antitheft protection

The equipment on the new model includes a number of significant technological devices that enhance life on board. For example, the rain sensor, which automatically activates the windscreen wipers at the first drops of rain; the dusk sensor which turns the headlights on when the car enters a tunnel; and the front and rear sensors that make parking easier, informing the driver with acoustic and graphic warnings (on the display) about the distance between the car and an obstacle. And finally, the Alfa Brera includes a sophisticated 'built-in protection system' that comprises the volumetric, anti-lift, anti-break-in, anti-theft Safe Lock device. It can mechanically disconnect the lock and the inside and outside handles of the doors, making it impossible to open them from inside, even if the window is broken.

Cruise Control

In certain markets and versions, the Alfa Brera is fitted with Cruise Control, a system that helps motorists to manage vehicle speed and improve travelling comfort. The device allows a cruising speed set by the driver to be maintained automatically by governing the engine throttle directly. The Cruise Control system can work within the entire range of rpm levels allowed by the engine, but only at speeds over 30 km/h. It is therefore advisable to turn it on only if road conditions allow the set value to be maintained in safety.

When the accelerator pedal is pressed (during overtaking, for example), the Cruise Control system is temporarily disabled even though the system stays on. The car therefore accelerates as required, but the system automatically restores the car to the stored speed as soon as the pedal is released. For obvious safety reasons, the device is released automatically when the driver presses the brake or clutch pedal. In this case, you can go back to the preset speed by pressing the RECALL button at the end of the Cruise Control stalk. Turn the wheel OFF and turn off the engine to deactivate the Cruise Control finally and cancel all previous settings. A warning light on the multifunctional display indicates system operation or deactivation status.