Stylish stationwagon

For over 50 years, the most sought-after Alfa Romeo models have been those carrying the 'Ti' badge which indicates an Alfa Romeo with an even more sharply defined sporting edge.

First seen in 1950, the 'Ti' badge, which stands for Tourism International, has been used to indicate an Alfa Romeo version that has been equipped to meet the needs and desires of driving enthusiasts. This badge is assurance of a driving excitement and sports-oriented image.

The Alfa 159 Sportwagon Ti version, launched in Malta by local agents UCIMCo last Friday, is fitted with sport suspensions that lower the car by 20 mm, which provides the 159 with a sharper turn-in response from the steering and less body roll, but without the harsh ride that some sports suspension systems have. The 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 x 19 low profile tyres provide additional road-holding. To ensure that 159 Ti stops as well as it accelerates, 'Brembo' brakes are standard and they are painted in Alfa Romeo red to highlight their presence and performance.

To further enhance the 159 Ti version, this is provided by a suitable body kit. The interior of the 159 is transformed by the Ti package into a driver-focused cockpit of black leather and dark finish materials highlighted by red stitching. The sports seats, which are electrically operated and heated, are upholstered in hand-crafted soft Italian leather with the legendary Alfa Romeo logo stitched in red on both the front and rear of the seats. The same leather and red stitching is used on the steering wheel.

The dashboard is trimmed in a unique burnished aluminum that has been darkened to show off the red-ringed instruments that are unique to the Alfa Romeo 159 Ti. Aluminium is further used for the drilled sports pedals - an essential icon of Italian sports cars - and the unique Alfa Romeo 159 Ti door sill trim strips which, like the exterior, carry the classic Ti insignia.

The 159 Ti also offers Bluetooth mobile phone connection with fingertip controls on the steering wheel and a USB connection point in the glovebox for MP3 music players.

Although identical in length, the Alfa 159 Sportwagon (with rear seats in position), provides 40 litres more loadspace below the retractable luggage cover than the Alfa 159 saloon. The 60:40 split/folding rear seat features an integral armrest and ski hatch, and allows for the rapid expansion of the 445-litre luggage compartment into a robust, practical load platform offering 850 litres of stowage below the window line, and an impressive 1,235 litres overall.

The Alfa 159 Sportwagon comes with three different engines: 2.2JTS, 3.2JTS (petrol) and a 2.4JTD (diesel) with 210bhp and a maximum speed of 139mph and 0-62mph acceleration 8.6 seconds. It is available also in three different colours: Stromboli Grey, Carbonio Black and Alfa Red.

The Alfa 159 Ti Stationwagon with its elegant style, combines superlative engineering with outstanding performance and handling characteristics to the pedigree of one of the world's most famous sporting marques. As with all Alfa Romeo models, driver orientation, superior passenger comfort and lavish standard equipment levels are fundamental to the interior design.

Prices start from €47,053 (Lm20,200).