With automotive technology rushing ahead, it makes for an interesting comparison to put an older model, such as the Alfa Romeo Brera 1.8 (1.75 TBi) against a modern sports coupe. However, this comparison is much more than raw performance figures; it's about how a machine feels and its design philosophy. The Brera is a more analog, driver focused approach to sports car design and one that is in stark contrast to what you find in modern coupes, which often come with driver aids, infotainment systems and highly efficient powertrains. The 1.75 TBi engine has a distinctive character, and its performance is different to the sometimes turbocharged powerplants of today's sports coupes. This is most useful in understanding what priorities have changed in automotive design and engineering.