159 - the new breed of Alfa

Born from Alfa's long, acknowledged experience in the production of prestigious sports saloons, the Alfa 159 heralds a new generation of cars from Alfa. The 159 Project is the result of innovative design methodologies developed by an international team that has succeeded in combining performance and formerly irreconcilable targets - extremely entertaining driving, outstanding performance and distinctive styling - with outstanding levels of safety, comfort and sturdiness, without compromise.

The results include a completely new chassis with new suspension, and a new generation of engines and gearboxes. In other words, this is an extremely interesting new model that adds lustre to the remarkable history of Alfa Romeo saloons. The designers drew on this very his-tory, creating a design that is unmistakably Italian.

The new Alfa 159 is a prestigious saloon that combines refined Italian styling with the sporty elegance typical of Alfa Romeo. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the new car has an elegant, sinuous line, which combines generous dimensions with the compactness typical of Alfa Romeo sportiness: the car is 4,660 millimetres long, 1,828 mm wide and 1,417 high, with a wheelbase of 2,700 millimetres.

Starting with the strong, essential front, which is dominated by the large Alfa Romeo shield, the line of the entire car springs from here, combining a light stylistic "aggressiveness" with strikingly elegant forms. This impression is underlined by the lateral air intakes, the beautiful light clusters and the deep "V" of the bonnet which underlines the presence of a generous engine, the compact, tapered passenger compartment and the wings which represent the widest point of the body.

The rear end with its horizontal design, speaks the same language as the front: from the curve of the rear window over the rear wheels to the wraparound light clusters, small spoiler and double-chromed exhaust tail-pipe that increase the sporty impression.

Like the external styling, the interior of the Alfa 159, designed by the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, combines superb styling and a sporty personality, starting with the excellent driving position - defined by precise ratios between the pedals, the seat, the steering wheel and the gearbox - evolved to provide maximum control and comfort.

The interior is developed around the driver in the characteristic "cockpit" structure, which incorporates the classic three-spoke steering wheel, the two ribs of the lip, the instruments on the console and the gear lever, achieving continuity between the facia and the console. The uniformity of the stylistic language is also evident in the circular shape of the analogue dials, the air vents, and the buttons and knobs. Even the symbols and graphics conform to the same pattern, and the principle of immediate clarity and easy legibility.

The Alfa 159 has been awarded the prestigious five-star rating from Euro NCAP, which puts it ahead of the field for its segment where safety is concerned. It is an important achievement, which underlines yet again the great attention that Alfa Romeo pays to all aspects of the protection of its drivers and passengers.

The Alfa Romeo 159 was designed and built to embody uncompromising quality, a concept that guided the entire process of the car's development, starting with the endless tests that the model was subjected to, right down to the manufacturing process. For the Alfa 159, quality also means class-beating dynamism, obtained by careful calibration of the sophisticated suspension and the best torsional rigidity of the body shell in its segment at over 180,000 daNm/rad. 

UCIM Co Ltd, local importers of Alfa Romeo, is inviting the public to discover the anatomy by test driving the New Alfa 159 during the 159 Open Week, from tomorrow to Saturday (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m./Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), by calling on 2382-3200 and booking a slot or by visiting the Alfa showroom, in Valley Road, Birkirkara.