Latin load-lugger arrives Down Under

Wagons don't come much sexier than this -- the 159 Sportwagon. The latest addition to the expanding Alfa Romeo range Down Under, the three-car Sportwagon range arrives this month in a choice of front or all-wheel drive powered by four, five or six-cylinder engines.

The range kicks off with the front-wheel drive four-cylinder 2.2-litre 136kW JTS petrol priced from $52,990. The $55,990 turbodiesel JTD boasts a substantial 147kW/400Nm 2.4-litre five-cylinder powerplant and also drives via the front wheels only.

Both models roll on 17-inch alloys and feature six-speed manual gearboxes. Driver aides include traction and stability control as well as ABS brakes and seven airbags include curtain and driver knee bags. Specs are generous with rear park sensors, dual-zone aircon, leather upholstery, cruise control and an eight-speaker, 10-disc sound system all standard.

Also included is Alfa's Sportwagon Utility Pack, which includes luggage cover and load and floor nets plus side lockers and 12V power socket.

The flagship of the Sportwagon range is the all-wheel drive 191kW 3.2-litre petrol V6. Priced from $77,990, the V6 echoes the 159 sedan and Brera sports coupe in its comprehensive equipment list -- all the normal goodies plus 18-inch wheels, electric front seats with seat heating, BOSE stereo, Bi-xenon headlights and more.

Metallic paint is a hefty $1600 extra on every model.

All three Sportwagon models are available at launch in six-speed manual only. In early 2007, the 2.2 JTS engine will be available with the Selespeed sequential manual gearbox and the 2.4 JTD and 3.2 V6 JTS will offer the new Alfa Romeo Q-Tronic automatic gearbox as an option.

Keep an eye on CarPoint for our launch review of the V6-powered all-wheel drive 159 and the curvaceous new Brera sports coupe next week.