Test Drive Alfa Romeo 159 since 2005 Sedan

All photos Alfa Romeo 159 since 2005

Beautiful rivals

The famous Italian comes to Russia with new forces. Representatives of the company Alfa Romeo has serious intentions.
Mazda 6.

The European Premiere was held in 2002,
restyling in 2005 Release with sedan, hatchback, wagon.
Engines: gasoline 1,82.3 l (120260 hp), diesel 2.0 l (120136 hp). In Russia is delivered only with gasoline engines. Drive on the front wheels or full (2.3 liter wagon and MPS).
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 5-speed automatic.
Required: Base, Touring, Sport.
Price in Russia: $ 22,90041 050.

Alfa Romeo 159.

The model debuted in 2005. Body options: sedan, wagon.
Engines: gasoline 1.93.2 l (140260 hp), diesel 1.9; 2.4 l (100,200 hp). In Russia, only gasoline.
Transmission: Mechanical 5- and 6-speed, robotic mechanical selesepeed (6-speed), hydromechanical automaton (3.2 liters). Drive on the front wheels or full (with a 3.2 liter engine).
Fitting: individual.
Price in Russia: є22 10047 200 ($ 28,73061 360).

The Russian market is growing unprecedented pace. Therefore, even those stamps that have long left him, without won the laurels, return. Among them, Alpha Romeo with a model 159, who came to replace the 156th. To compete with it will be popular with us Mazda-6 with the most powerful atmospheric motor.

Octague

What program are the current designers draw the exterior of the car? Alpha-Romeo seems to be, and Mazda-6 are created with the same software. Or is it design templates? Eight glowing rolling coincidence in the front of the car? Or headlights now, how fifty years ago, can only be round? Under the overall glass of the Mazda, the headlights of distant and near light, fog and turn signs. Alpha has a smooth surface of the face, left, leaving three round optical elements open, and the fog lifted in the lower part of the bumper. Such a solution may, and loses in aerodynamics, but much more effectively. Even the memories of Aston-Martine Laganda, who, I remember, was six (truth, rectangular) headlights. And in combination with the traditional shield of the alpha-romeo radiator facing 159, the owner of a hard memorable appearance. In the rest of the avant-garde decisions, it is not seen that for the better: the ideal proportions were determined for a very long time, but not outdated.

Red on white

In the middle lane, this winter was a serious lack of snow, but for the day of the dough he unexpectedly fell. Snow-ice landscape pretty dismissed car perception. Handling was evaluated mostly on slippery roads. Both cars are shoes for the season, in 16- and 17-inch Nokian HakkaPeliitta 5, so that the comparison is quite legitimate. Winter studded tires do not particularly contribute to comfort, but the difference in noise insulation is excellent. Contrary to assumptions, Alpha Romeo 159 was not only quieter than Mazda-6, but also demonstrated good smoothness. Her suspensions coped better with small irregularities on asphalt, and found out, and with frankly broken sections. For a car with an obvious sports bias and origin from the southern country, this is perhaps amazing. Like the fact that the energy intensity of the Mazda suspension, at first glance, tough and dense, turned out to be low. However, to abuse the speed on bad roads safer on Mazda, her ground clearance is greater than 133 mm. Alpha under saving plastic lid in the middle of only 90 mm! However, fastening elements

by 30 mm.

Modern cars rarely indulge in good visibility. Alpha is at all below the average at an acceptable rack thickness gives the hanging roof, the impressive hood and the front skell are not felt, the first review is difficult. When parking, perpendicular to the sidewalk or turn on the street with high borders should be very neat. Even an excessively disturbed surgeon policeman may pose a threat to bumper. And this is a car without a sports package that the front bumper is even lower! The driver of Mazda feels more confidently and is able without addiction to put the car almost close to the obstacle.

On a slippery road, the advantage returns to Alpha again. It is less reacting to the beaches and ridges of the unobed snow. Despite the very sharp steering wheel, feedback even on ice. The controllability in normal mode corresponds to the VDC and ASR system.

The first controls the corners of the sliding, the second prevents the slip of the leading wheels. Both can be turned off, then Alpha demonstrates the natural chassis character. It allows you to take turns in slide, but requires stable skills. Attempting to fill the car in a turn of gas discharge with insufficient side acceleration is doomed to failure: the car slips the trajectory with the front wheels. But if everything is done at the time of the entrance, Alpha will repay and will obediently follow the specified trajectory. Although it is obvious that the chassis was not set up for ice ballet, it is clearly sharpened on the asphalt, where accurate, predicted reactions and minimum slides are required.

Mazda, on the contrary, it is easier to change the trajectory at the entrance in turn, but it is more difficult to control it on the arc. It is more difficult to keep in ice rolled ruts on the highway too active the car is trying to jump out of them. At pure asphalt, Mazda behaves clearer. But excessive sharpness is preserved: you should not be distracted from the control! However, it is not particularly distracted that even on-board computer is controlled only by one button. By the way, the advanced audio system includes a changer on six disks in the central console, but does not know how to play the entries in MP3 format.

Without unnecessary modesty

Starting an alpha engine with button. Fool protection must be squeeze the clutch pedal or brakes. It does not fully guarantee from an involuntary jerk, but leaves a chance to drive back at the starter in an emergency. The on-board computer Alfa does not know Russian, but when choosing between English and German, I wanted to put Italian. It seemed that Livello Olio Motore here is much more logical than Motor Oil Level. The perfume car requires a native language!

The motor is understood without translation, and his voice sounds very nice, especially at high speed obviously, it was threatened above the timbre. The alpha engine is not bad and below, but is truly revealed only after 4000 rpm. In combination with a manual gearbox, it pushes to active ride, and therefore potentially high efficiency in life will be embodied.

The kinematics of the gear shift mechanism is not ideal: the first and second almost twice the neutral rather than the fifth sixth. With uniform gaps it would be better. There are no claims to other management bodies. Brake pedal allows you to adjust the slowdown without problems even on smooth ice. The clutch is a good compromise between the stroke and effort, to touch easily at any pace. To enjoy the control of a high-speed car, you need to feel with him one whole. Therefore, focus on the driver's seat. It, despite the leather upholstery, holds perfectly in turn.

Forty years ago, Fiat-124 struck Soviet motorists with a powerful and efficient stove. Today Alpha pleased with the climatic installation with a developed air flow control system, a central defroster, three adjustment zones (for the driver, front passenger and rear seat). Numerous electric valves with electric drives live their own life, which is well audible with the engine off, but work immaculately.

No wonder that, on this background, Mazda looks rustic. Modest plastic, regular ignition key, standard set and location of instruments, climate control without separation into zones, even heated front seats without adjustment. But all this is familiar and understandable at first sight. It is difficult to find a button or switch that would cause questions. And since the test car was with an automatic transmission, the number of claims to ergonomics decreased to a minimum. The main one to the driver's seat. For a car without sports ambition, it is acceptable, although the pillow is short. But the nature of Mazda-6 (even with a machine gun) does not have a relaxing move, and the back of the seat does not give proper side support.

The climate setting is robust and does not keep the temperature gradient in the height of the cabin, but with the main task copes quickly and almost silently. There is no separate climate adjustment for the rear passengers, but they themselves are enough space for the feet, even if the driver and his neighbor of Grenadier growth. And most importantly dignity behind the back of the rear seats: a huge trunk with excellent transformation capabilities. And under the hollow surprise: a small subwoofer in a spare wheel niche.

Stereotypes

Italian means temperamental, not extended. Japanese neat, modest and polite to the bore. Neither alpha nor Mazda fit into the usual cliches. Alpha Romeo convincingly proves superiority in a variety of nominations: from an outstanding climate installation to exemplary brakes and an excellent motor. The suspension and controllability should be temperament, but also with an unimportant road also copes. Most of the Italian lost disciplines continued an extraordinary appearance. Review and modest baggage compartment are the most obvious examples.

Mazda was done differently. Obviously, each element was considered not only from the standpoint of aesthetic perfection and driving pleasure, but also in accordance with the price and requests of practical buyers. For the bold lines and the aggressive nature of the Japanese car, repeated decisions and a weighted approach. Very good, but by no means an outstanding technical level is designed by traditional Japanese quality not without regard to the price, which is noticeably more attractive than Italian. above. With a more thoughtful design, the difference in the road will be reduced twice.
In Alfef, perhaps more talent, in Mazda hardworking. But neither one nor the other in itself guarantees perfection
Mazda 6 A bright car with good dynamics still pale next to Alpha Romeo. Bribes with a combination of a living character and practicality, as well as a reasonable price with excellent equipment.
Total rating of 7.8.
+ Good acceleration dynamics, acute handling, excellent ergonomics, large trunk, moderate fuel consumption.
- Limited selection of complete sets, increased noise at high speed, modest finish materials, insufficient suspension energy intensity.

Alfa Romeo 159 Divinely looks and luxuriously rides, while comfortable. Possessing the properties of a four-door sedan, Alpha has kept the spirit of the racing car.
Total rating of 7.9
+ Frisky, angry motor, accurate steering wheel, excellent brakes, comfortable suspension, rich finish, corporate identity, individual equipment.
- Poor visibility, small ground clearance, close back seat, uncomfortable trunk, limited service network, high price.

Anatoly Fomin: For a long and happy life, measured and calculating, Mazda, of course, is preferable. But if you at least change to her with Alpha, the former value system will crush.