It has been a long hard struggle, but Alfa Romeo is back on track providing interesting cars that look and feel different from the masses. The latest sedan is the Alfa 159, which shares the same basic underbody as the Brera coupe and Spider convertible.
All the models share the new Alfa corporate grille, which retains the narrow Alfa grille flanked by horizontal grilles which include three lamps each side. Otherwise, the shape is conventional with quite a high tail providing plenty of luggage space. Well-balanced, though, as you would expect from a Guigaro design.
Nice trim, good instruments
Inside, the car I drove was trimmed in tan leather with a black fascia which works pretty well. The speedo and rev-counter are large circular dials, easier to read than on the Spider, but the three minor dials in the console are less successful. You get a stability program and traction control, as well as a navigation system which has a less clear screen than on some competitors, but worked well.
But Alfas are about power and excitement, so how does the 159 fare? The model I drove was the 2.2 liter gasoline-engine model, which I chose as I had already driven the 3.2 liter Spider, and wondered whether the lighter four-cylinder engine would result in a better balance of the handling – in the Spider the four-wheel drive system overcomes the heavy front end.
If you want the most power you would opt for the 3.2 liter V-6, but there are also diesel options as well as the 2.2 liter gasoline engine. In fact, these latest Alfa engines are all quite powerful, the 2.2 petrol engine is bang up to date with direct injection, and delivers 185 bhp at 6,500 rpm, with 170 lb ft (23 N0m) torque at 4,500 rpm.
An alternative for those wanting to cut fuel costs is the 200 bhp 2.4 liter diesel, which pushes out 294 lb ft (400 Nm) torque at 2,000 rpm.
First impressions are good, with a comfortable seat and good driving position, all with plenty of adjustment – electrically operated by switches on the side of the seat.
Lively acceleration
Snick into first gear, and the car heads off in a lively manner. Straight away, you can feel what is happening through the steering, something which most chassis design departments of the big manufacturers don't like.
The engine burbles along well, and is very smooth at low speeds, but with a pleasant exhaust note as the speed rises. It is well matched to the six-speed manual box, which has as slick a shift as you can get. Excellent.
Out on the open road, you soon find that to cover the ground quickly you need to change gear a lot, so it is just as well that the gear shift is slick.
Need plenty of revs to keep moving
Smooth though the engine is, if you want to motor fast forget about getting power at 3,000 rpm, but keep the revs spinning between 4,500 and 7,000 rpm. Mid-range torque is lacking, and in fact, despite the 159 being quite a small car, acceleration is not vivid, even when you keep the engine spinning.
On twisty roads, though, you soon forgive the lack of torque, and keep the engine running fast. This way, you are seeing the 159 at its best. Roll is well controlled, and the combination double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension keeps the car on track, much better than with the typical strut set-up beloved of the big car makers.
Good turn in
Turn in is pretty sharp for a front-driver, and the 159 can be pressed pretty hard into the corners without problems. Not only that, but it continues to grip on bumpy corners, the tires remaining in contact with the road.
The suspension is obviously optimised for handling, as the car handles well, and is fun to drive over twisty roads. Passengers are not quite so happy, though, as the ride is not just hard, but joggly, and rather lets the car down.
Even so, if you are looking for a compact sedan that is fun to drive and looks good, the Alfa Romeo 159 could be the answer, so long as you don't mind a hard ride.
