2005 Alfa Romeo 159

The Alfa 159, the founder of the new family that will replace the 156, and therefore the heir to a successful model, this original saloon takes up the baton, to become the new benchmark in its segment. 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 combines performance, extremely entertaining driving, outstanding performance and distinctive styling - with outstanding levels of safety, comfort and sturdiness, without compromise. This includes a completely new chassis with new suspension, and a new generation of engines and gearboxes. In other words, this is an extremely interesting model that adds lustre to the remarkable history of Alfa Romeo saloons, with a design that is unmistakably Italian.

The new Alfa-Romeo 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 sportiness: the car is 4,660 millimetres long, 1,828 mm wide and 1,417 high, with a wheelbase of 2,700 millimetres.

The profile of the Alfa 159 reminds us that the car's elegance is based on harmonious relations: on one hand the relation between the long bonnet and the 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 front pillar set back and the "elbow" shaped rear pillar). The deep slash in the side also emphasises the car's sleekness.

Like the external styling, the interior of the Alpha 159, designed by the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, combines superb styling and a sporty personality. Starting with the excellent driving position, which is defined by precise ratios between the pedals, the seat, the steering wheel and the gearbox, evolved to provide maximum control and comfort. The interior is developed around the driver in the characteristic "cockpit" structure, which incorporates the classic three-spoke steering wheel, the two ribs of the lip, the instruments on the console and the gear lever, achieving continuity between the facia and the console. 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: quality fabrics, precious fine grain leather, aluminium that is cold to touch, and exquisite craftsmanship with the appeal of artisan handiwork.

The Alfa 159 surrounds the driver and passengers with technologies that guarantee a high level of dynamic, acoustic and climatic comfort. The efficient soundproofing and the high torsional and flexural rigidity of the bodyshell create a muted, enveloping vibration-free interior ambience. That is not all. The new model also features a generous luggage compartment and numerous storage units, plus exclusive equipment to enhance well-being on board. This includes Cruise Control, rain, dusk, and front and rear parking sensors, a satellite navigator with maps (also with a "Birdview" display), voice controls and a built-in GSM hands-free telephone, automatic climate system with dual or tri-zone air distribution and temperature control, radio with CD (and MP3 file) player and a 10-disc CD-changer, a BOSEŽ Hi-fi Sound System with a central speaker on the facia for sharper acoustics, seats with electrical adjustment, a folding rear seat and pushbutton ignition control on the console.

The Alfa Romeo 159 guarantees the extraordinary roadholding that is innate in all Alfa Romeo models. The merit goes to the new suspension (high double wishbones at the front and Multilink at the rear) and extremely precise steering (the most direct of the standard saloons, with a small turning circle). This prestigious new saloon also features numerous electronic systems that control the car's dynamic behaviour, including a sophisticated Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC), Anti Slip Regulation (ASR), Hydraulic Brake Assistance (HBA) which intervenes during emergency braking, ABS complete with EBD, and a Hill Holder to simplify hill starts. The front-wheel drive versions in the Alfa 159 range are joined by a version with Q4 permanent four-wheel drive, a system which guarantees excellent traction and enjoyable driving.

Alfa 159 has an excellent torsional rigidity of the bodyshell, the best in its segment at over 180,000 daNm/rad. Also 159 boasts as many as eight airbags (including special bags to protect the knees and sidebags that extend all along the window area), innovative restraint systems (pretensioners on the clasps and decreasing load limiters on the seat belts), and front seats with an "anti-whiplash" device that brings the head restraint nearer to the occupant's neck in the event of a rear impact.
Altogether, these features make the Alfa 159 the new benchmark for its segment in terms of safety.

This car could be equipped with a broad range of engines. First of all, JTS engines available with continuous dual variable valve timing (inlet and exhaust): the 3.2 V6 24v (191 kW - 260 bhp), the 2.2 (136 kW - 185 bhp) and the 1.9 (118 kW - 160 bhp), with a specific power output between 81 and 85 bhp/l. All the engines meet Euro 4 standards, exploiting the direct petrol injection in full thanks to a particular combustion system known as JTS: Jet Thrust Stoichiometric. The torque values of the three engines are equally outstanding, and 88% is already available at 2,000 rpm: 322 Nm (32.8 kgm) at 4,500 rpm for the 3.2 V6 JTS, 230 Nm (23.4 kgm) at 4,500 rpm for the 2.2 JTS, and 190 Nm (19.4 kgm) at 4,500 rpm for the 1.9 JTS. Also 2 diesel engine options available. And the range includes new mechanical gearboxes, all with six speeds, short strokes, precise engagement and limited loads. Automatic transmissions and a robotised Selespeed gearbox, also with six speeds, will be available on certain versions.

To develop this prestigious car, the company deployed its best resources and ensured that maximum quality and reliability standards were applied throughout the product development and construction process. It forged a fruitful cooperative relationship with outside suppliers and other Fiat companies, including Magneti Marelli, Centro Ricerche Fiat and Elasis. And this collaboration was responsible for the many innovative solutions that make the Alfa 159 the new benchmark in its category.