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03/07/2011
Car Review By MURRAY HUBBARD
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With the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 159 mid-size sedan still somewhere over the horizon, Alfa late last year adopted for a change of heart - literally. The current 159 was given an engine replacement replacing the 2.2-litre JTS in favour of a smaller, more efficient and powerful 1750cc turbo charged four cylinder. While this engine adds zest to the 159 it cannot camouflage the 159's shortcomings: it is starting to age.
In recent weeks we have tested the Alfa Romeo Mito and Giulietta, the new breed Alfas that are set, hopefully, to lead Alfa back into the black. The replacement for the 159 is apparently going to be called the Giulia with Alfa Romeo going back to real names for its cars instead of numeric monikers.
No doubt the new 1750 TBi engine will be carried over to the Giulia which is a good start. For Alfa Romeo buffs the 1750 number recalls a halcyon period of Alfa history. This was the engine that powered classic GTV coupes, Berlina and Spider convertibles from the late 1960s. This, however, is an all new engine and features forced induction through a turbo charger. It produces 147 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque at just 1400 rpm.
BODY STYLE
The current shape 159 was introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show and came to Australia a year later. Externally it has fared well and the forthright front with the bonnet lines plunging into the shield-style grille sitting between triple headlamps still look the part. The car has an aggressive road stance thanks to fat wheels and the front treatment, not that unlike the 1970s Alfa Romeo Spider mentioned and pictured above. It is a ‘traditional’ sporty mid-size sedan as opposed to the contemporary treatment given the new Giulietta.
POWERTRAIN
The new 1750 engine takes the car from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds although if you do that too often don’t expect to get Alfa’s reported 8.1 litres/100 km. Top speed is 235 km/h. The 1750 TBi engine uses direct fuel injection combined with a turbocharger, two continuously variable valve timing units and what Alfa call ‘scavenging’ technology. This system constantly monitors, and at the same time optimises, the engine operating systems such as fuel intake, position of the two variable valve timing units, ignition advance and injection timing. This enhances turbocharger efficiency. The bottom line is this engine produces maximum torque at a low 1400 rpm reducing the scourge of this type of induction system, turbo lag. This results in the 159 pulling from low revs with no hesitation. Both the 159 and sportier 159 Ti variants come only with a six speed manual transmission. Interestingly this engine puts out almost as much torque as the Alfa 3.2 litre V6 159 and is almost as quick to 100 km/h. Not bad given the $30,000 price differential.
SAFETY
No corners cut here with the 159 fitted with seven airbags, cruise control, fog lamps, ABS brakes with EBA and HBA, stability control, VDC and hill holder which eliminates the need for handbrake starts. There are also sensors for automatic wipers and lights.
INTERIOR DESIGN/FUNCTIONALITY
The Alfa 159‘s interior is traditional and therefore up against, for instance the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, looks dark and dated. With the centre console inclined towards the driver it almost gives the front seat passenger a complex of having had the car turn it’s back on him/her. This console also contains three instruments which we would prefer to see in the binnacle. The 159 also features a start system of inserting the ‘key’, a bloody great plastic thing into the dash before pushing the ‘start’ button. The novelty of this wears off after the first use. Wasn’t there once a clever system where you got in a car and turned the key to start the engine? The 159 has quite a few storage spaces, but they are all small and lack practicality, particularly those in the doors. The rear pew is comfortable but head room is tight and leg room at a premium if there’s a tall front seat passenger. The rear seat has a 60/40 split to enlarge the 405 litre luggage area. Also, behind the fold-down centre armrest there’s a handy ski hatch. Boot access is tight with a narrow opening.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
Mechanically the 159‘s saving grace is the new engine. It pulls from low revs in any gear without any complaint. For city driving we left the 159 in fourth gear and the car accelerated easily from a tad over 30 km/h. This means much fewer gear changes using the six speed manual shifter. This is just as well as this is not the most comfortable transmission we have used. It feels heavy and remote and disconnected from the driving experience. Our other dislike was the indicators that lacked auto cancellation after a turning. This meant we were driving straight with the indicator still on from the previous 90 degree turn.
There is some torque steer under heavy acceleration in first gear, but nothing too untoward. The car points and turns well - as you expect from an Alfa Romeo - and the driving position an ergonomics are good apart from the unusual situation of the triple gauges mentioned earlier. With the upper echelon of Alfa Romeo apparently unhappy with the 159 replacement the designers have had to return to the drawing board to make the Giulia look more Alfa Romeo and less German. This will take time so a replacement for this car may be still two years away.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING* ALFA ROMEO 159 4 door sedan
1750 TBi manual $49,990
1750 TBi Ti manual $54,480
2.4 JTD $60,990
2.4 JTD Ti $62,990
3.2 V6 AWD Ti $79,990
(*Not including government and dealer delivery charges)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: N/A
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Stability Control: Standard
Traction Control: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1,742 litres
Configuration: in line
Head Design: DOHC dual VVT
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 83.0 mm x 80.5 mm
Maximum Power: 147 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 320 Nm @ 1400 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: front
Manual Transmission: 6 speed
Automatic Transmission: N/A
Final Drive Ratio: 3.941:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4660 mm
Wheelbase: 2703 mm
Width: 1828 mm
Height: 1422 mm
Turning Circle: 11.1 metres
Kerb Mass: 1430 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent double wishbone
Rear Suspension: Independent multi-link
Front Brakes: Ventilated discs
Rear Brakes: Ventilated discs
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.7 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Premium unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 8.1 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ 100,000 km |
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