Alfa Romeo 159 JTS 2.2 2006 Review

7-day Test

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
>> Engine, drivetrain and chassis: 4.5/5.0
>> Packaging and practicality: 4.0/5.0
>> Safety: 4.0/5.0
>> Behind the wheel: 4.5/5.0
>> X-factor: 4.5/5.0
  

It's no secret that Alfa Romeo went through a bad patch. Like mighty Rome, the eternal city, the brilliance of Alfa became tarnished in the Dark Ages of the 1980s and beyond, and sadly, the company built some truly awful motor cars.

But now engineers and designers have wrested the marque back from the clutches of soulless accountants and the latest Alfas are beautiful, powerful, stylish, great-handling and well-equipped. Yes, the Fiat-owned firm is finally building cars worthy of the famous quadrifoglio (Alfa's four-leafed clover badge) once more.

Just look at the 159 -- it drips sex-appeal in a way that Elle MacPherson dreams she could; its door-handles alone, have more style than a roomful of Paris interior designers... Its shape is what stablemates Ferrari and Maserati wish they could achieve with four doors... And inside the Alfa has the appointments of a palace, the fit of Saville Row and panache straight from the heart of Italy.

Standing still, it is art -- moving, it is poetry. It is, simply, drop-dead gorgeous.

And driving it is not bad either...

Under that shapely bonnet is a 2.2-litre 136kW four-cylinder DOHC engine equipped with Alfa's own Jet Thrust Stoichiometric (JTS) direct-injection technology and continuously variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust (a first for Alfa).

Coupled to a honey-smooth six-speed manual gearbox, the engine doesn't feel (or sound) like a medium-capacity four -- it snarls and growls like an altogether bigger, more hairy-chested and muscular motor. There's even a five-cylinder turbodiesel version available. (see here)

Electronic driver aids include ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, vehicle dynamic control ASR traction control. A motor speed regulator (MSR) modulates braking pressure when changing down through the gears, and a hill holder guarantees smooth hill starts.

Passive safety is rated at five stars in the European NCAP testing regime, thanks to features which include seven airbags (including one for the driver's knees) anti-whiplash head restraints, anti-submarining front seats and an integrated fire prevention system.

This latter feature sounds impressive, but in reality is just an inertia switch that cuts power to the fuel pump in the case of an impact or roll-over. Still, something is better than nothing.

Under-bonnet component placement is claimed to reduce the risk of fire in a crash too and the interior trim is flame-resistant.

The mechanicals include disc brakes tucked inside all four of the beautifully-sculpted 17-inch alloys and a very direct speed-sensitive power steering system.

Being a 21st century car, the 159 also boasts dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control, auto-dimming interior mirror, a trip computer, rain and ambient light sensors and an eight-speaker sound system that includes a ten-CD changer with steering-wheel controls.

Despite being a four-door sedan, it boasts a 60/40 split rear seat that aids the load-space if there's more luggage than people.

The 159 is extremely well equipped for the money being asked and extra-cost options are few but pricey: metallic paint ($1600), sunroof ($2250) and electric front seats ($2750).

Happily, all the standard electronic technology aids the driving experience, rather than getting in the way of it, as it tends to do with so many of Alfa's would-be rivals.

Despite its looks and its pedigree, rear seat passengers are cosseted, with head, hip and leg space to spare. Getting in and out requires no contortionism and the supportive leather furniture and trim makes the Alfa 159 a great place to spend time.

But for any enthusiast, there's only one place to be and that's behind the wheel.
With instruments all angled towards you, the driver has a true 'command position' feel about it -- one that will feel comfortingly familiar to anyone who has driven 1960s and 70s Alfas.

Performance is strong for a mid-sized engine -- the factory claims a 222km/h top speed and a healthy 0-100km/h time of 8.8sec. And even if you never need (or indeed want) to explore these corners of the performance envelope, the driving experience is scintillating.

The is a car is lively, responsive, willing and seduces the driver into becoming a partner, rather than a commander, on every journey.

Ultra-picky drivers might complain that there's a bit of a thump through the wheel on mid-corner bumps, or that the driver's cockpit is a little confining, but these are intrinsic parts of the joy of Alfa ownership.

Ol' Blue Eyes must have had an Alfa 159 in mind when he crooned "Regrets? I'd had a few, but then again, too few to mention..."

In short, it's great to look at, great to be in and great to drive. And that, kind reader, makes it a pretty fine motor car. Bellisimo...

CarPoint recently tested the 159 JTD turbodiesel. To read the review and see more pics of the 159 click