This article is about the road car produced between 2004 and 2011. For the race car used in 1950s Formula One, see Alfa Romeo 158/159 Alfetta. For the 159i sold in South Africa, see Alfa Romeo Alfetta.
The 159 placed third in the 2006 European Car of the Year awards. Production of the 159 ended in November 2011, with 247,661 cars manufactured.[6] The 159's late transition to what was fundamentally made as an E segment platform resulted in the 159 having excessive weight, a problem shared by the Brera coupé and Spider.[7]
Styling
Interior.
The 159 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. The nose features a traditional Alfa Romeo V-shaped grille and bonnet, as well as cylindrical headlight clusters. Similar to its coupé counterpart, the front of the car was influenced by the 2002 Brera Concept also designed by Giugiaro, as Fiat asked Giugiaro to transfer the design of the latter on its future saloon.[8]
A high waistline broadens until it reaches the rear "C" pillar. Several exterior design cues were intended to make the car appear larger, supposedly to appeal to potential buyers in the United States; where the 159 was ultimately never marketed.[7]
Initial Centro Stile proposals of Tipo 939 exterior from 2001 were rejected but the interior design would be developed further. The interior recalls styling elements from earlier cars, including the 156, such as deeply recessed instruments angled toward the driver. Alfa Romeo intended for the 159 to compete more directly with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi by using higher-quality interior materials.[7]
Model year changes
Several levels of trim were available depending on the market. Four trim levels namely Progression, Distinctive, Exclusive, and Turismo Internazionale (TI) were generally available. In the United Kingdom, there were three available levels of trim: Turismo, Lusso, and Turismo Internazionale (TI). Among other options, the 159 was also available with the Blue&Meinfotainment system.
Alfa Romeo 159 Ti Sportwagon.
A Sportwagon variant was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006. An automatic gearbox option for the 2.4 JTDM diesel model was also launched that year and later extended to other versions. In 2007, a four-wheel-drive diesel model was introduced, and the 2.4-litre diesel engines' power output was increased to 210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp), with a newly reintroduced TI trim level also available as an option.[citation needed]
For the 2008 model year, the mechanics and interiors of the 159 were further developed. Dashboard, instrumentation, and other aluminium components, reduced kerb weight by 45 kg (99 lb). A 3.2-litre V6 model was offered in front-wheel-drive configuration, achieving a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). All model variants were now equipped with Alfa Romeo's electronic "Q2" limited slip differential. The revised 159 range was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008.[9]
For the 2009 model year, Alfa Romeo introduced a turbocharged petrol engine variant badge as "TBi", this 1,742 cc unit has direct injection and variable valve timing in both inlet and exhaust cams. This new engine is rated at 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) and 320 N⋅m (236 lbf⋅ft) of torque. Eventually this unit would replace the GM derived 2.2 and 1.9 JTS units.[10] Also in the same year, a new 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) JTDm diesel engine became available.
The 159 was discontinued in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2011.[11]
Powertrain
The 159 was available in both front and four-wheel drive configurations. The "Q4" four-wheel-drive system utilises a Torsen Type-C twin-differential (front and centre differential in the same unit with an open front differential) and was available on the 3.2-litre petrol and 2.4-litre diesel engines.
Due to its platform, the 159 is 225 mm (8.9 in) longer, 85 mm (3.3 in) wider than its predecessor.[12] The considerable growth in dimensions deterred many 156 owners from considering the 159 as a direct replacement model.[7] Thanks to its new platform, a high level of passive safety was achieved, and the torsional rigidity of the chassis reached 180.000 daNm/rad.[13]
The gearbox is a six-speed manual on most models (with the 1.8-litre model having a five-speed manual), and a six-speed automatic Q-Tronic gearbox (Aisin AW TF-80SC) was available for the 1.9 diesel, 2.4 diesel, and 3.2 petrol models. The Selespeedautomated manual gearbox was available in some markets with the 2.2 petrol engine.[citation needed]
All petrol engines featured direct fuel injection (except the 1.8l), named as JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric). JTD diesel engines have common rail direct fuel injection.
The 159 is fitted with seven airbags as a standard, with additional knee airbags also available as an option.[17] The car performed well in rear end crash protection tests,[18] benefiting from "anti whiplash" seats.[17]
The 159 passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests with following ratings:
The 159 contested the Bathurst 12 Hour race for production cars in 2007,[23]2009 and 2010. Competing with the 2.4 Litre JTDM diesel engine, it won the Alternative Energy Class in each of these three races.
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