Alfa Romeo 159
On sale 25th February 2006

Five, plus or minus two, is the number of messages or points of information that drivers can think of or take in at any one time, according to the RAC Foundation’s motoring psychologist. So, trying to fiddle with complex buttons and dials in your car, whilst driving, reading highway signs, plotting your route and chatting to your passenger could well lead to information overload and a possible accident. Alfa Romeo’s new 159 has the answer. A simple uncluttered fascia, with easy to use, at a glance, controls, so that you can do what this new car is made for. Just drive!

The new Alfa Romeo 159 saloon, which goes on sale on 25th February, is for the driver who wants to feel totally involved with the car. The driver who needs to experience complete power over performance and there are five engines to choose from. The top of the range 2.4 litre JTD common rail direct injection is the most powerful engine in the Alfa Romeo JTD family. All engines, three petrol and two diesel, are Euro IV compliant and all have 6 speed manual transmissions. Later this year, an automatic gearbox will be available.

The heart of this car is its powerhouse, but with performance also comes a safety risk. But Alfa has thought of that too. The 159 has just won a five star rating from Euro NCAP, which puts it ahead of the field in its segment with regard to crash safety performance.

There are eight airbags available with seven as standard on all models. This prestigious new sports saloon also features numerous electronic systems that enhance the car’s dynamic behaviour and assist braking. Taken together, all these features make the Alfa Romeo 159 a very safe car and able to offer a lot more than the average car.

And average is just what the buyer of the 159 will not be. Alfa Romeo’s advertising states that this is ‘the car for the driver that does not want to feel ‘average’’. And with looks to die for, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it is far from ‘run of the mill’. From the heart shaped front grille to the offset number plate, the 159 is different.

The only part of the saloon that is plain, is the interior, simple, well laid out, with not too many buttons. There are two trim levels, the Turismo and the Lusso. The bottom of the range, Turismo, which starts at £19,995 includes dual zone climate control, electronic key and start button, stereo radio/CD with steering wheel audio controls, cruise control and 16” or 17” alloy wheels. There is a wide choice of optional features, which include a Tri Zone climate control which provides rear passengers with their ideal climate temperature as well as those in the front.

The part of this saloon that I found exceptional, is its very sensitive steering. It is great for manoeuvring at low speed, gives fantastic accuracy at high speed and holds the road extremely well. But Alfa says that 57% of its customers like rear wheel drive cars, so later this year, four wheel drive, Q4, will be available. It will be standard on the 3.2 litre V6 JTS.

Everything about the 159 is new. It is longer and wider than its predecessor, the 156, offering more interior cabin space. And everything about the company Alfa Romeo, is also new. There is a new UK Managing Director and new Marketing team. MD, Christopher Nicoll, is optimistic about the future. “For the first time in many years, Fiat Auto has made money.” He said. “There are four new models planned in the next four months with the UK being the key growth area for Alfa Romeo. We are developing dealerships and investing a lot of money in a dedicated fleet service.” He continued.

The new 159 will compete with the BMW 3 series, the Audi A4 and the Saab 9-3, but Alfa says that the price is ten percent more competitive than petrol versions and 15% more competitive than the diesel versions. The company expects to sell 3,500 units this year and 5,000 in a full year. Mostly men will buy it and 40% will be sold to the fleet market.

One thing I can guarantee, when you drive the new Alfa Romeo 159, you’ll be so absorbed by the fantastic driving experience, there will be no room for any other information!

By Sue Cooke