Alfa Romeo 159


The Alfa Romeo 159 (Type 939) is a compact executive car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 2005 and 2011. It was introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, as a replacement for the 156. The 159 used the GM/Fiat Premium platform, shared with the Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider production cars, and with the Kamal and Visconti concept cars.

This article is about the road car produced between 2005 and 2011. For the race car used in 1950s Formula One, see Alfa Romeo 158/159 Alfetta. For the 159i sold in South Africa, see Alfa Romeo Alfetta.

Alfa Romeo 159
Alfa Romeo 159 2.0 JTDm ECO Elegante
Overview
ManufacturerAlfa Romeo
Production2005–2011[1][2]
AssemblyItaly: Pomigliano d'Arco
DesignerGiorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive / four-wheel-drive
PlatformGM/Fiat Premium platform
RelatedAlfa Romeo Brera/Spider
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (110 in)
Length4,660 mm (183 in)
Width1,828 mm (72.0 in)
Height1,417 mm (55.8 in)
Curb weight1,385–1,695 kg (3,053–3,737 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorAlfa Romeo 156
SuccessorAlfa Romeo Giulia (952)
Sedan or berlina
Sportwagon in TI trim

The 159 placed third in the 2006 European Car of the Year awards. Production of the 159 ended in November 2011, and around 240,000 cars were built. The 159's late transition to what was fundamentally made as an E segment platform resulted in the 159 having excessive weight, a problem shared by the Brera coupé and Spider.[4]

In 2008, changes made to the interior, dashboard, instrumentation with aluminium components introduced for various parts of the car, which reduced kerb weight by 45 kg (99 lb). Due to its executive car platform, the 159 is 225 mm (8.9 in) longer, 85 mm (3.3 in) wider than its predecessor.[5]

However, the considerable growth in dimensions deterred many 156 owners from considering the 159 as a direct replacement model.[4] Due to the sophisticated Premium platform that the 159 is based upon, high level of passive safety was achieved, and the torsional rigidity of the chassis is one of the best in this category at 180.000 daNm/rad.[6]

Styling
Interior

The 159 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. The nose features a traditional Alfa Romeo V shaped grille and bonnet, and cylindrical head light clusters. Similar to its coupé counterpart, the front of the car was influenced by the 2002 Brera Concept also designed by Giugiaro.

A high waistline broadens until it reaches the rear "C" pillar. Several exterior design cues were intended to make the car appear larger, supposedly to appeal to potential buyers in the United States; however, the 159 was never exported to that region.[4]

The interior also features styling treatments familiar from earlier cars, including the 156, such as deeply recessed instruments which are angled towards the driver. Alfa Romeo intended for the 159 to compete more directly with BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi by using higher quality interior materials.[4]

Model year changes

Several levels of trim were available depending on the market. Four trim levels namely Progression, Distinctive, Exclusive and Turismo Internazionale (TI) were generally available. In the United Kingdom, there were three available levels of trim: Turismo, Lusso and Turismo Internazionale (TI). Among other options, the 159 was also available with the Blue&Me infotainment system.

A Sportwagon variant was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006. An automatic gearbox option for the 2.4 JTDM diesel model was also launched that year, and later extended to other versions. In 2007, a four wheel drive diesel model was introduced, and the 2.4 litre diesel engines' power output was increased to 210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp), with a newly reintroduced TI trim level also available as an option.

For the 2008 model year, the mechanics and interiors of the 159 were further developed. A 3.2 litre V6 model was offered in front wheel drive configuration, achieving a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). All model variants were now equipped with Alfa Romeo's electronic "Q2" limited slip differential. As a result of newly introduced aluminium components, a 45 kilograms (99 lb) weight reduction was achieved. The revised 159 range was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008.[7]

For the 2009 model year, Alfa Romeo introduced a new turbocharged petrol engine variant badge as "TBi", this 1,742 cc unit has direct injection and variable valve timing in both inlet and exhaust cams. This new engine is rated at 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) and 320 N⋅m (236 lbf⋅ft) of torque. Eventually this unit would replace the GM derived 2.2 and 1.9 JTS units.[8] Also in the same year, a new 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) JTDm diesel engine became available.

The 159 was discontinued in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2011.[9]

Powertrain

The 159 was available in both front and four-wheel drive configurations. The "Q4" four wheel drive system utilises a Torsen type C twin differential (front and centre differential in the same unit with an open front differential) and was available on the 3.2 litre petrol and 2.4 litre diesel engines.

The gearbox is a six speed manual on most models (with the 1.8 litre model having a five speed manual), and a six speed automatic Q-Tronic gearbox (Aisin AW TF-80SC) was available for the 1.9 diesel, 2.4 diesel and 3.2 petrol models. The Selespeed semi-automatic gearbox was available in some markets with the 2.2 petrol engine.

All petrol engines featured direct fuel injection (except the 1.8l), named as JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric). JTD diesel engines have common rail direct fuel injection.

Specifications
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Comp. ratio Years
Petrol engines
1.75 TBiI41,742 cc200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 5,000 rpm320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 1,400 rpm9.5:12009–2011
1.8I41,796 cc140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,500 rpm175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm10.5:12005–2010
1.9 JTSI41,859 cc160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) at 6,500 rpm190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm11.3:12005–2010
2.2 JTSI42,198 cc185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) at 6,500 rpm230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm11.3:12005–2010
3.2 V6 JTS Q4V63,195 cc260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) at 6,200 rpm322 N⋅m (237 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm11.25:12005–2010
Diesel engines
1.9 JTDM 8VI41,910 cc120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4,000 rpm280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm18:12005–2010
1.9 JTDM 16VI41,910 cc150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4,000 rpm320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm17.5:12005–2010
2.0 JTDM 16VI41,956 cc136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) at 4,000 rpm350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1,750 rpm16.5:12010–2011
2.0 JTDM 16VI41,956 cc170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 4,000 rpm360 N⋅m (266 lb⋅ft) at 1,750 rpm16.5:12009–2011
2.4 JTDMI52,387 cc200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) at 4,000 rpm400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm17:12005–2010
2.4 JTDMI52,387 cc210 PS (154 kW; 207 hp) at 4,000 rpm400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,500 rpm17:12007–2010

Performance
Engine Top speed
km/h (mph)		 0–100 km/h (seconds)
0–62 mph (seconds)		 Combined consumption Years
manualautomaticmanualautomaticmanualautomatic
1.75 TBi235 (146)7.78.1 L/100 km (35 mpg‑imp; 29 mpg‑US)2009–2011
1.8206 (128)10.27.7 L/100 km (37 mpg‑imp; 31 mpg‑US)2005–2007
1.8208 (129)10.27.6 L/100 km (37 mpg‑imp; 31 mpg‑US)2008–2010
1.9 JTDM 8V191 (119)11.05.9 L/100 km (48 mpg‑imp; 40 mpg‑US)2005–2007
1.9 JTDM 8V193 (120)10.75.9 L/100 km (48 mpg‑imp; 40 mpg‑US)2008–2010
1.9 JTDM 16V210 (130)210 (130)9.49.46.0 L/100 km (47 mpg‑imp; 39 mpg‑US)7.1 L/100 km (40 mpg‑imp; 33 mpg‑US)2005–2007
1.9 JTDM 16V212 (131)209 (130)9.29.55.9 L/100 km (48 mpg‑imp; 40 mpg‑US)7.1 L/100 km (40 mpg‑imp; 33 mpg‑US)2008–2010
2.0 JTDM 16V 136 PS202 (135)9.95.1 L/100 km (55 mpg‑imp; 46 mpg‑US)2010–2011
2.0 JTDM 16V 170 PS218 (135)8.85.4 L/100 km (52 mpg‑imp; 44 mpg‑US)2009–2011
1.9 JTS212 (132)9.78.7 L/100 km (32 mpg‑imp; 27 mpg‑US)2005–2007
1.9 JTS214 (133)9.58.7 L/100 km (32 mpg‑imp; 27 mpg‑US)2008–2010
2.2 JTS222 (138)8.89.4 L/100 km (30 mpg‑imp; 25 mpg‑US)2005–2007
2.2 JTS224 (139)8.79.2 L/100 km (31 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US)2008–2010
2.2 JTS Selespeed222 (138)8.89.2 L/100 km (31 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US)2005–2007
2.2 JTS Selespeed224 (139)8.79.1 L/100 km (31 mpg‑imp; 26 mpg‑US)2008–2010
2.4 JTDM228 (142)224 (139)8.48.46.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)8.0 L/100 km (35 mpg‑imp; 29 mpg‑US)2005–2007
2.4 JTDM (210 PS)231 (143)8.16.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)2008–2010
2.4 JTDM (200 PS Q-Tronic)225 (140)8.37.9 L/100 km (36 mpg‑imp; 30 mpg‑US)2008–2010
2.4 JTDM (210 PS)[10]230 (143)8.26.8 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US)2007–2010
2.4 JTDM Q4 (210 PS)226 (141)8.47.5 L/100 km (38 mpg‑imp; 31 mpg‑US)2005–2007
2.4 JTDM Q4 (210 PS)227 (141)8.37.2 L/100 km (39 mpg‑imp; 33 mpg‑US)2008–2010
3.2 V6 JTS Q4240 (149)240 (149)7.07.211.5 L/100 km (25 mpg‑imp; 20.5 mpg‑US)12.2 L/100 km (23.2 mpg‑imp; 19.3 mpg‑US)2005–2007
3.2 V6 JTS FWD250 (155)7.111.0 L/100 km (26 mpg‑imp; 21.4 mpg‑US)2008–2010
3.2 V6 JTS Q4244 (151)242 (150)7.07.211.4 L/100 km (25 mpg‑imp; 20.6 mpg‑US)12.1 L/100 km (23.3 mpg‑imp; 19.4 mpg‑US)2008–2010
Note: Consumption figures according to European Commission Directive 1999/100/EC.

Sources:[11][12]

Safety

The 159 is fitted with seven airbags as standard, with additional knee airbags also available as an option.[13] The car performed well in rear end crash protection tests,[14] benefiting from "anti whiplash" seats.[13]

The 159 passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests with following ratings:

Euro NCAP test results
Alfa Romeo 159 (2006)[15]
Test Score Rating
Adult occupant:
Child occupant:
Pedestrian:

Awards
  • Auto Bild Design Award 2006[16]
  • Design Award in the 2006 Fleet World Honours[17]
  • Die Besten Autos 2007 Import category (Auto, Motor und Sport)[18]
  • 'L'Automobile piu Bella del Mondo

Two black 159s (3.2 JTS V6 TI) appeared in the opening scenes of the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace (2008). They featured in the car chase with James Bond's Aston Martin DBS V12 around Lake Garda in Italy.[19] Two 159s in black colour also appeared in the chase scene in Johnny English Reborn, chasing Johnny English, played by Rowan Atkinson.

A car strongly resembling a 159 can be seen in multiple episodes of Psycho Pass.

Motorsport

The 159 contested the Bathurst 12 Hour race for production cars in 2007,[20] 2009 and 2010. Competing with the 2.4 Litre JTDM diesel engine, it won the Alternative Energy Class in each of these three races.

Notes
  1. "Used Alfa Romeo 159 review". Auto Express. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  2. "Alfa Romeo 156 GTA (2002 - 2006) used car review". www.rac.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  3. "Automatic Transmissions" (PDF). aweurope.be. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  4. re (24 August 2011). "italiaspeed.com". italiaspeed.com. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  5. "Press Files 13/06/2005". alfaromeopress.com. 2005. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  6. "Five-Star Safety Rating For Alfa 159". carpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2007.
  7. "19.02.2008 MODEL YEAR IMPROVEMENTS FOR ALFA 159 AND 159 SPORTWAGON". italiaspeed.com/2008. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2008.
  8. "19.02.2009 NEW ENGINES FOR ALFA 159 MODEL YEAR". italiaspeed.com/2009/cars/alfa_romeo. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  9. "Alfa to stop taking orders for the 159". alfabb.com. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  10. "Preisliste 3/2007" (PDF). alfaromeo.ch. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  11. "MY08 159 Specifications" (PDF). alfaromeo.it. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  12. "Specifications" (PDF). fiatautopress.com/download. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  13. "Press Files 13/06/2005". alfaromeopress.com. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  14. "rear end crash protection" (PDF). thatcham.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  15. "Alfa Romeo 159". euroncap.com. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  16. "AUTO BILD Design Award 2006". autobild.de (in German). Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
  17. "Alfa Romeo 159 wins Design Award". carbodydesign.com. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
  18. "Leserwahl: Die Besten Autos 2007". auto-motor-und-sport.de (in German). Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
  19. "IMCDB.ORG: Quantum of Solace, Movie, 2008". imcdb.org. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  20. "Alfa wants more diesel racing". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
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References
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