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Here are the very latest images of Alfa Romeo's Spider version of the upcoming replacement for the current GTV. The new coupe will be called Brera and share its underpinnings with the 159, replacement for the seven-year-old 156 saloon and Sport Wagon. The Brera coupe will be launched later in 2005, followed shortly by the rag-top pictured here, which will be badged GTC. Expect the front-drive Spider to arrive with 2.0-litre JTS four-cylinder and 3.2 V6 JTS petrol engines, possibly with four-wheel drive as an option. And while a diesel version had been discounted earlier, Italiaspeed.com reports that a prototype has been spotted with the 2.4 JTD diesel under its bonnet. That would certainly be in line with the current trend toward diesel convertibles.
These spyshots also reveal that the GTC Spider will eschew the current vogue for metal folding roofs in favour of a conventional fabric version, the metal ribs of which are plainly visible through the disguise. The pictures also reveal that the rear window is solid glass, which is a first for an Alfa Spider.