| Alfa Romeo 159 | |
| Manufacturer: | Fiat Auto (2004–2007) Fiat Group Automobiles (2007–2011) |
| Production: | 2004–2011[1] |
| Assembly: | Italy: Pomigliano d'Arco |
| Class: | Compact executive car (D) |
| Layout: | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive / four-wheel-drive |
| Platform: | GM/Fiat Premium platform |
| Wheelbase: | 27001NaN1 |
| Length: | 46601NaN1 |
| Width: | 18281NaN1 |
| Height: | 14171NaN1 |
| Weight: | 1385- |
| Related: | Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider |
| Predecessor: | Alfa Romeo 156 |
| Successor: | Alfa Romeo Giulia (952) |
| Designer: | Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign Centro Stile Alfa Romeo (interior) |
The Alfa Romeo 159 (Type 939) is a car built by Italian marque Alfa Romeo between 2004 and 2011. It is a large family car in the compact-executive market segment with four-door saloon and five-door estate variants.[2] [3] [4] 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 as well as the Kamal and Visconti concept cars.
The 159 placed third in the 2006 European Car of the Year awards. Production of the 159 ended in November 2011, with 247,661 cars manufactured.[5] 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.[6]
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 headlight clusters. Similar to its coupé counterpart, the front of the car was influenced by the 2002 Brera Concept also designed by Giugiaro, as Fiat asked Giugiaro to transfer the design of the latter on its future saloon.[7]
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; where the 159 was ultimately never marketed.[6]
Initial Centro Stile proposals of Tipo 939 exterior from 2001 were rejected but the interior design would be developed further. The interior recalls styling elements from earlier cars, including the 156, such as deeply recessed instruments angled toward the driver. Alfa Romeo intended for the 159 to compete more directly with BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi by using higher-quality interior materials.[6]
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 2100NaN0, 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. Dashboard, instrumentation and other aluminium components, reduced kerb weight by 45kg (99lb). A 3.2-litre V6 model was offered in front-wheel-drive configuration, achieving a top speed of 250km/h. All model variants were now equipped with Alfa Romeo's electronic "Q2" limited slip differential. The revised 159 range was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008.[8]
For the 2009 model year, Alfa Romeo introduced a 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 2000NaN0 and 320Nm of torque. Eventually this unit would replace the GM derived 2.2 and 1.9 JTS units.[9] Also in the same year, a new 1700NaN0 JTDm diesel engine became available.
The 159 was discontinued in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2011.[10]
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.
Due to its platform, the 159 is 2251NaN1 longer, 851NaN1 wider than its predecessor.[11] The considerable growth in dimensions deterred many 156 owners from considering the 159 as a direct replacement model.[6] Thanks to its new platform, a high level of passive safety was achieved, and the torsional rigidity of the chassis reached 180.000 daNm/rad.[12]
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 automated manual 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.
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Comp. ratio | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | |||||||
| 1.75 TBi | I4 | 1,742 cc | 2000NaN0 at 5,000 rpm | 3200NaN0 at 1,400 rpm | 9.5:1 | 2009–2011 | |
| 1.8 | I4 | 1,796 cc | 1400NaN0 at 6,500 rpm | 175NaN at 3,800 rpm | 10.5:1 | 2007–2010 | |
| 1.9 JTS | I4 | 1,859 cc | 1600NaN0 at 6,500 rpm | 1900NaN0 at 4,500 rpm | 11.3:1 | 2005–2007 | |
| 2.2 JTS | I4 | 2,198 cc | 1850NaN0 at 6,500 rpm | 2300NaN0 at 4,500 rpm | 11.3:1 | 2005–2010 | |
| 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 | V6 | 3,195 cc | 2600NaN0 at 6,200 rpm | 322NaN at 3,800 rpm | 11.25:1 | 2005–2010 | |
| Diesel engines | |||||||
| 1.9 JTDM 8V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 1200NaN0 at 4,000 rpm | 2800NaN0 at 2,000 rpm | 18:1 | 2005–2010 | |
| 1.9 JTDM 16V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 1500NaN0 at 4,000 rpm | 3200NaN0 at 2,000 rpm | 17.5:1 | 2005–2010 | |
| 2.0 JTDM 16V | I4 | 1,956 cc | 1360NaN0 at 4,000 rpm | 3500NaN0 at 1,750 rpm | 16.5:1 | 2010–2011 | |
| 2.0 JTDM 16V | I4 | 1,956 cc | 1700NaN0 at 4,000 rpm | 3600NaN0 at 1,750 rpm | 16.5:1 | 2009–2011 | |
| 2.4 JTDM | I5 | 2,387 cc | 2000NaN0 at 4,000 rpm | 4000NaN0 at 2,000 rpm | 17:1 | 2005–2007 | |
| 2.4 JTDM | I5 | 2,387 cc | 2100NaN0 at 4,000 rpm | 4000NaN0 at 1,500 rpm | 17:1 | 2007–2010 | |
| Engine | Top speed km/h (mph) | 0–100 km/h (seconds) 0–62 mph (seconds) | Combined consumption | Years | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| manual | automatic | manual | automatic | manual | automatic | |||
| 1.75 TBi | 235 (146) | 7.7 | 8.1L/100 km | 2009–2011 | ||||
| 1.8 | 206 (128) | 10.2 | 7.7L/100 km | 2005–2007 | ||||
| 1.8 | 208 (129) | 10.2 | 7.6L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 1.9 JTDM 8V | 191 (119) | 11.0 | 5.9L/100 km | 2005–2007 | ||||
| 1.9 JTDM 8V | 193 (120) | 10.7 | 5.9L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 1.9 JTDM 16V | 210 (130) | 210 (130) | 9.4 | 9.4 | 6L/100 km | 7.1L/100 km | 2005–2007 | |
| 1.9 JTDM 16V | 212 (131) | 209 (130) | 9.2 | 9.5 | 5.9L/100 km | 7.1L/100 km | 2008–2010 | |
| 2.0 JTDM 16V 136 PS | 202 (135) | 9.9 | 5.1L/100 km | 2010–2011 | ||||
| 2.0 JTDM 16V 170 PS | 218 (135) | 8.8 | 5.4L/100 km | 2009–2011 | ||||
| 1.9 JTS | 212 (132) | 9.7 | 8.7L/100 km | 2005–2007 | ||||
| 1.9 JTS | 214 (133) | 9.5 | 8.7L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 2.2 JTS | 222 (138) | 8.8 | 9.4L/100 km | 2005–2007 | ||||
| 2.2 JTS | 224 (139) | 8.7 | 9.2L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 2.2 JTS Selespeed | 222 (138) | 8.8 | 9.2L/100 km | 2005–2007 | ||||
| 2.2 JTS Selespeed | 224 (139) | 8.7 | 9.1L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 2.4 JTDM | 228 (142) | 224 (139) | 8.4 | 8.4 | 6.8L/100 km | 8L/100 km | 2005–2007 | |
| 2.4 JTDM (210 PS) | 231 (143) | 8.1 | 6.8L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 2.4 JTDM (200 PS Q-Tronic) | 225 (140) | 8.3 | 7.9L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 2.4 JTDM (210 PS)[13] | 230 (143) | 8.2 | 6.8L/100 km | 2007–2010 | ||||
| 2.4 JTDM Q4 (210 PS) | 226 (141) | 8.4 | 7.5L/100 km | 2005–2007 | ||||
| 2.4 JTDM Q4 (210 PS) | 227 (141) | 8.3 | 7.2L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 | 240 (149) | 240 (149) | 7.0 | 7.2 | 11.5L/100 km | 12.2L/100 km | 2005–2007 | |
| 3.2 V6 JTS FWD | 250 (155) | 7.1 | 11L/100 km | 2008–2010 | ||||
| 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 | 244 (151) | 242 (150) | 7.0 | 7.2 | 11.4L/100 km | 12.1L/100 km | 2008–2010 | |
| Note: Consumption figures according to European Commission Directive 1999/100/EC. | ||||||||
The 159 is fitted with seven airbags as standard, with additional knee airbags also available as an option.[16] The car performed well in rear end crash protection tests,[17] benefiting from "anti whiplash" seats.[16]
The 159 passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests with following ratings:
The 159 contested the Bathurst 12 Hour race for production cars in 2007,[21] 2009 and 2010. Competing with the 2.4 Litre JTDM diesel engine, it won the Alternative Energy Class in each of these three races.