THE latest in a long line of sumptuous, open-topped, Alfa Romeo convertibles, has just gone on sale in the UK.

Derived from Giorgetto Giugiaro's multiple award-winning Alfa Brera design, the new Alfa Spider was developed by Pininfarina in collaboration with Alfa Romeo Centro Stile.

At 4393mm long, 1830mm wide and 1318mm high, the 2007 Alfa Spider is 17mm shorter and 23mm lower than the Brera with which it shares the same 2528mm wheelbase.

Continuing a design trend prevalent in the recent Alfa Romeo model range, the legendary Villa d'Este style Alfa shield with horizontal chrome bars dominates the front. Extending almost full height, the grille bisects an upper air intake housing three-lamp headlight clusters before punctuating a deep front air dam featuring an expansive lower air intake with integral fog lamps.

The top of the shield generates bonnet coachwork lines which flow into steeply raked A pillars while a waistline crease demarcates the side indicator and door handle positions, reaching its broadest point above the rear wheel arches.

At the rear, the Alfa Spider's broad "shoulders" taper to the focal point of the Alfa Romeo badge, and 4-lamp horizontal light clusters demarcate the shut-line of the luggage compartment lid, which features a residual spoiler. Integral, colour coded bumpers and four chromed, flush mounted exhausts finish everything off.

The latest Alfa Spider is fitted with a double-layer fabric roof shaped over five steel and aluminium frames. This is operated automatically by a single dashboard control switch which folds the roof into a dedicated storage compartment in less than 25 seconds.

A roof storage compartment leaves the convertible with a 200 litre luggage compartment which is 36 per cent more than the previous Alfa Spider.

The storage compartment is concealed beneath a flush-fitting body panel incorporating black and aluminium finish blisters. A transparent wind break situated between the roll-over bars reduces air turbulence within the passenger compartment.

Inside the cabin the driver's instrument binnacle houses large, deeply hooded speedometer and tachometer dials with subsidiary fuel and temperature gauges while a multi-lingual, multi-function display gives access to a wide range of functions.

The brushed aluminium faced centre console incorporates a new, electronic key-activated engine start button, Dual Zone automatic climate control and a stereo RDS 6-speaker stereo radio with CD player.

A leather interior is standard on 3.2 V6 versions with optional equipment including; xenon headlights, satellite navigation, electrically adjustable front seats, a Bose sound system, Blue&Me hands-free mobile phone connectivity and 18 inch alloy wheels.

Four versions of the new Alfa Spider, priced from £25,995 are available from launch, with a choice of two petrol powerplants: a 2.2 litre 185bhp 4-cylinder unit, and a 3.2 litre 260bhp V6; together with Alfa Romeo's 2.4 litre 20v 200bhp MultiJet (JTDM) turbodiesel.

The 2.2 JTS powerplant is mated to an M32.6 6-speed manual gearbox, while 3.2 JTS and 2.4 JTDM engines are equipped with the F40 6-speed manual transmission.

Completing the launch range, the 3.2 JTS V6 unit may be ordered with Alfa Romeo's QTRONIC 6-speed automatic transmission, featuring a manual sequential-shift override facility, and optional gearshift paddles'.

Suspension for the new Alfa Spider combines a high double wishbone system at the front, with a multilink rear configuration while the 2.2 JTS Alfa Spider's braking system comprises 305 mm ventilated front discs and 278 mm solid discs at the rear.

Versions powered by the 3.2 JTS petrol and 2.4 JTDM turbodiesel engines feature larger, 330 mm ventilated discs and Brembo four piston monobloc aluminium callipers at the front, with 292 mm ventilated discs at the rear.

ABS anti-lock braking is combined with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution over all four wheels, and a switchable Vehicle Dynamic Control unit enhances cornering stability. VDC is further augmented by ASR to limit wheelspin during acceleration, MSR to modulate braking torque when changing down through the gears, and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate hill starts.