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Deeper into the Alfa 159
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 14 June 2005 | 
(2) Comments | Permalink
On June 13, Alfa Romeo released detailed official information about the oncoming 159. We may have already presented the car that’s to take over the 156 quite thoroughly, we can add a few details though. 156 met an impressive success, with 680,000 copies produced between 1997 and 2005, and was the starting point of Alfa’s renewal. They cannot mess up with the 159. Alfa promises optimum quality and safety levels, a better handling and drive and a more flexible cockpit. The contrary would have been quite amazing.
At last, Alfa’s saloon receives a split/fold rear bench, a TFT screen monitoring the stereo and the navigation and numerous storage units. A tri-zone aircon will be offered on highest versions. 8 airbags will protect the passengers, besides, Alfa has implanted airbags protecting the knees. The company hopes the 159 will be granted 5 stars by the EuroNcap.
The dynamic safety of the car should be guaranteed by double wishbones for the front suspension a multilink at the rear and an excellent torsional rigidity of the bodyshell, elaborated on the Premium platform. With 180,000 daNm/rad, Alfa claims it’s the best in its segment.
As for the engines, we had already mentioned what they would be like, the only thing being that the 3.2 unit will develop 260bhp. This engine can be coupled with a 4WD transmission.
There are a few drawbacks though. Being bigger than its predecessor, the 159 will also weight a lot more: from 1480 to 1740kg. An average increase of 200kg! This should have bad consequences on the fuel consumption as well as on prices.
As a beginning, the 159 will be available in 2 outfits, the quality of which also depending on the engine they come with. The lower trim includes electric mirrors and windows, an air-con, 16’’ alloys, ABS, VDC (Alfa’s ESP), 7 airbags, an 8-hp CD stereo and a trip computer. Strangely enough, the foldable rear bench remains optional on every version. All models receive a 6-speed gearbox.
In a few months’ time, the Sport Wagon will be released and a common-rail Multijet V6 3.0 engine will crown the diesel range. Thus, Alfa hopes to compete more efficiently with the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Volvo S40.
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1.9 JTS
Engine layout: 4 in line
Capacity: 1859cc
Bore and stroke: 86x80
Maximum power output: 160bhp at 6500rpm
Peak torque: 190Nm at 4500rpm
Kerb weight: 1480 kg
Top speed: 131mph
Acceleration 0-62mph: 9.7sec
Combined cycle fuel consumption: 27.6mpg
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2.2 JTS
Engine layout: 4 in line
Capacity: 2198cc
Bore and stroke: 86x94.6
Maximum power output: 185bhp at 6500rpm
Peak torque: 230Nm at 4500rpm
Kerb weight: 1490kg
Top speed: 138mph
Acceleration 0-62mph: 8.8
Combined cycle fuel consumption: 25.5mpg
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3.2 JTS V6
Engine layout: V6
Capacity: 3195cc
Bore and stroke: 85.6x89
Maximum power output: 260bhp at 6200rpm
Peak torque: 322Nm at 4500rpm
Kerb weight: 1740kg
Top speed: 150mph
Acceleration 0-62mph: 7.0sec
Combined cycle fuel consumption: 21mpg
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1.9 JTDM 120
Engine layout: 4 in line
Capacity: 1910cc
Bore and stroke: 82x90.4
Maximum power output: 120bhp at 4000rpm
Peak torque: 280Nm at 2800rpm
Kerb weight: 1525kg
Top speed: 118mph
Acceleration 0-62mph: 11.0
Combined cycle fuel consumption: 41mpg
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1.9 JTDM 16V 150
Engine layout: 4 in line
Capacity: 1910cc
Bore and stroke: 82x90.4
Maximum power output: 150bhp at 4000rpm
Peak torque: 320Nm at 2000rpm
Kerb weight: 1535kg
Top speed: 130mph
Acceleration 0-62mph: 9.4sec
Combined cycle fuel consumption: 40mpg
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2.4 JTDM 20V
Engine layout: 5 in line
Capacity: 2387cc
Bore and stroke: 82x90.4
Maximum power output: 200bhp at 4000rpm
Peak torque: 400Nm at 2000rpm
Kerb weight: 1630kg
Top speed: 141mph
Acceleration 0-62mph: 8.4sec
Combined cycle fuel consumption: 35mpg
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Comments
Posted by: Jack Yan | Jul 27, 2005 2:27:25 PM
It looks beautiful, but how will it fare in five years' time? I see the 156 now and it looks terribly dated, more so than some of its contemporaries. I recall when Italian cars had lasting looks, including the beautiful Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV.
Posted by: stéphane schlesinger | Jul 29, 2005 1:26:51 AM
Do you really think the 156 looks dated? For a car that was releasd in 1997, I still find it very stylish, especially in its SW version. Don't you think a Vauxhall Vectra MkII looks older?
