ALFA ROMEO has handed a power boost to the coolest looking cars in its range.

Both the Alfa Spider convertible and Alfa Brera coupe are now available with the 200bhp 1750 TBi petrol and 170bhp 2.0 JTDM diesel engines that made their debut in the Alfa 159 range late last year.

And the Italian carmaker has also added an exclusive trim level called Italia Independent to the Spider and Brera.

The new 1750 TBi engine arrives to complement the current engine line-up and boasts keen fuel efficiency with lower CO emissions - down to 189g/km for the Brera and 192g/km for the Spider.

Significantly, through a process known as ‘scavenging', the engine's maximum torque is achieved at just 1400 rpm - little more than tickover speed - with maximum power developed between 4,750 and 5,500 rpm. 

From standstill, the  Brera and Spider can manage 0-62mph in virtually identical times of 7.7 and 7.8 seconds, before both topping out at 146 mph.

Alfa's 2.0 JTDm MultiJet diesel powerplant develops 170bhp at 4,000 rpm, and the cars can cover the 0-62mph sprint in 8.8 and 9.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 135 mph. CO emissions are reduced to 142 g/km.

Special edition cars boast an interior with black leather steering wheel and gearknob with red stitching, carbon-fibre trim inserts, sports dials, black sports leather upholstered seats with Italia Independent branded headrests, aluminium sports pedals and foot rest and a high-tech radio/sat-nav system.

Externally there's a matt black titanium finish, 18-inch black opaque turbine design alloy wheels, red brake calipers and carbon fibre effect trim inserts.