Overview

Price On The Road (OTR) from £18,945

Born from Alfa’s long, acknowledged experience in the production of prestigious sports saloons, the Alfa 159 heralds a new generation of cars from Alfa. The 159 project is the result of innovative design methodologies developed by an international team that has succeeded in combining formerly irreconcilable targets – entertaining driving, outstanding performance and distinctive, contemporary styling – with exceptional levels of safety, comfort and sturdiness.

The results include a completely new chassis with new suspension, and a new generation of engines and gearboxes. In other words, a completely new model that adds lustre to the already remarkable history of Alfa Romeo saloons.

Engines Overview

The Alfa 159 comes with a choice of five engines, three petrol and two diesel units.

All three petrol engines, a 1.8 MPI with 140bhp, a 2.2 16v with 185bhp and a 3.2 V6 24v with 260bhp, employ state of the art direct injection technology and variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust camshafts. This technology enables both performance and emissions to be optimised without the need for compromise.

The two diesel units, a 1.9 16v with 150bhp and a 2.4 20v which now produces 210bhp, both use second generation common-rail injection systems, known as JTDM. This allows multiple injections of fuel over the cycle to reduce noise and emissions and improve driveability and fuel consumption. Combined with variable geometry turbochargers for further drivability benefits and with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) as standard for ensuring the cleanest possible exhaust, the Alfa 159 diesel engines are truly cutting edge.

Exterior

The new Alfa 159 is a prestigious saloon that combines refined Italian styling with the sporty elegance typical of Alfa Romeo. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the new car has an elegant, sinuous line, which combines generous dimensions with the compactness typical of Alfa Romeo.

Starting with the strong, aggressive front, which is dominated by the large Alfa Romeo grille, the line of the entire car originates from here, combining a light stylistic "aggressiveness" with strikingly elegant forms. This impression is underlined by the air intakes, beautiful light clusters and the deep "V" of the bonnet which emphasises the presence of the engine.

The rear end with its horizontal design, echoes the same style as the front, from the curve of the rear window over the rear wheels to the wrapround light clusters, small spoiler and twin chromed tail-pipes that increase the sporty impression.

The profile of the Alfa 159 reminds us that the car’s elegance is based on harmonious relationships : on one hand the long bonnet and compact passenger compartment gives the car prestige, while the ratio between the windows and the sides gives it a sporty personality, highlighted by the compactness of the cabin, an effect created primarily by the pillars. The strong shoulder along the side also emphasises the car’s sleekness.

Interior & Equipment

Like the external styling, the interior of the Alfa 159, designed by the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, combines superb styling with a sporty personality.

The excellent driving position, which carefully optimises the relative positioning of the pedals, the seat, the steering wheel and the gearstick, has evolved to provide maximum control and comfort. The whole interior is developed around the driver in the characteristic Alfa Romeo “cockpit” structure, which carefully wraps around the driver and incorporates the classic three-spoke steering wheel, the familiar Alfa deeply hooded main instruments and angled auxiliary gauges on the centre console and the short gear lever.

The supportive, sporty front and rear seats reiterate this idea, painstakingly made with top quality materials, paying great attention to the stitching, and the traditional detail of the segments and piping. The interior of the new Alfa 159 embodies the balanced combination of elegance and sportiness that is the hallmark of all Alfa Romeo cars. It is underlined by essential, sober, clean lines and superb materials, from the soft leather to the hard and cold aluminium.

Safety

Safety was one of the priorities in the design and development of the new Alfa 159. Passenger protection starts with the ultra-rigid bodyshell and the well-protected cabin area, which acts as a ‘survival cell’ in the event of a head-on or side-on collision. Inside, seven airbags are standard: twin-stage front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, side airbags, window airbags, and a special driver's knee airbag. A knee airbag for the front seat passenger is an optional extra. In addition there are anti-whiplash head restraints, 3-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats, and three Isofix mountings for child seats.

Driving enjoyment is inextricably linked with control, and here the Alfa 159 excels. Take the handling, for instance – the product of a finely-tuned suspension system that comprises high wishbones at the front and an advanced multi-link set-up at the rear. This combination ensures that the wheels always stay in contact with the road, and that the maximum amount of tyre tread is kept in contact with the tarmac. The reassuring feeling of control is enhanced still further by the incredibly quick and precise steering that requires just 2.3 turns from lock to lock.

Should the car swerve or start to take a bend too fast, VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) stability control cuts in automatically to reduce the power from the engine or apply the appropriate brakes and thus prevent understeer or oversteer – invariably without the driver even realising. Drivers can be completely confident in the Alfa 159's stopping ability, thanks to the powerful Brembo disc brakes all round and the latest Bosch ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution).

The torsional rigidity of a car's bodyshell is crucial to its dynamic behaviour, affecting not only its sturdiness, but its roadholding, handling, noise levels, and overall safety, as well. To achieve class-leading standards for the Alfa 159 in this area, Alfa Romeo's engineers introduced the new 'Premium' floorpan that utilises the latest dual-phase steels, multiple sheet metal and precision laser welding. In addition, the architecture of the bodyshell benefits from three high-strength load lines that run the whole length of the floor to prevent it from buckling in a high impact collision, and extra strong box sections. Some 55% more rigid than its predecessor, the Alfa 159 excels at cornering with minimal body roll, and can change lanes fast without fuss or drama.

On-board Technology

In the Alfa 159, equipment to enhance well-being on board abounds. Standard features include Cruise Control, automatic climate system with dual-zone temperature control, radio with CD player with controls on the steering wheel and a pushbutton ignition control on the centre console. On the Lusso versions, these are joined by sensors for rain, dusk, and reverse parking.

The options list is even longer, from a satellite navigator with maps (also with a “Birdview” display), voice controls and a built-in GSM hands-free telephone, automatic climate control with tri-zone air distribution and temperature control, radio with CD and MP3 player and a 10-disc CD-changer, a BOSE® Hi-fi Sound System with a central speaker on the facia for sharper acoustics, seats with electrical adjustment, folding rear seats and front parking sensors.

Prices & Specification

Alfa Romeo's designers and engineers have produced two stunning versions in the Alfa 159 and Alfa 159 Sportwagon. With incredibly rigid bodyshells and sensational handling, they are without equal as cutting edge sports models. The Alfa 159 and Alfa 159 Sportwagon come with a wide range of JTS direct-injection petrol engines, JTDM Common Rail turbodiesels, plus the availability of Q4 permanent fourwheel drive and the QTRONIC automatic transmission.

** The prices are shown are On The Road costs including VAT, delivery, number plates and first registration fee.

Q4: Four wheel drive