Test Drive Alfa Romeo 159 since 2005 Sedan

All photos Alfa Romeo 159 since 2005

Through two steps

Seeing for the first time Alpha Romeo 159, he experienced a dual feeling: admiration was mixed with some disappointment.
Excellent proportions and lungs, clean lines Mark unmistakably recognized from any angle and distances! But from designers Atelier, Judjaro, who were engaged in stylistry in the Commonwealth with the center of Alfa Romeo, expected a more bold flight of fantasy. And the new model is too similar to the former 156th.
Do not believe our eyes, believe the numbers!

Only looking after, and then having studied the press release, I was convinced: it is still a new car. Powel 200 kg, adding 225 mm in length and 85 mm wide, an increase of 105 mm on a basis of 58 and 50 mm by ripples, this alpha caught up and overtaken even the older 166th: model 159 only 60 mm in short thanks to a compact trunk. It can be seen, it is not by chance that its digital index jumped immediately through two steps.
Of course, it became more spacious and in the cabin. In ergonomics there is a concept of percentile: it is simplified this percentage of people whose dimensions do not exceed the specified. So, the front chairs rose from the 97th Percenta to the 99th, and the rear from the 70th to the 82nd. And therefore, a 178-centimeter passenger will sweep freely by the driver of 188 cm, whereas in the previous model a maximum of 169 cm. But the preserved discrimination against the rear passengers emphasizes: this car for the driver, he is the main one here.
In the 156th Alpha, the engine ruler began with a modest twin of sparks with a volume of 1.6 and 1.8 liters, with a capacity of 120 and 140 liters. with. On the 159th Junior Motor 1.9 JTS (Jet Thrust StoichiOMETRIC): 160 l. p., Direct fuel injection, two adjustable camshafts (Twin Phaser). A couple of other gasoline engines from this series managed to try on the go.
Holding expensive

This is how it is possible to translate the name of one of the heads of the ROADHOLDING press release. We feel the chain of the car immediately, she spits and drunk. It seems that there is no limit to the possibilities of Alpha without squeaking rubber, without the slightest hint of demolition or loss of control, it holds out the way when you have already managed to get frightened and repent, and in the soul it is not yet forgotten! New aluminum suspension (rear of multi-dimensional) provide simply phenomenal reactions, especially in combination with the sharpest steering: only 2.2 turns from the stop until it stops. And the brakes of the song: from 100 km / h car stops just 36 m! And even after a dozen slowdowns in a row, the distance increases due to heating only about the meter. Most D-class sedans would stop at 41 m.
It is good and a 2.2 JTS motor with a capacity of 185 horses is quite assertive, confidently pulls on any revolutions and goes into overclocking even on the VI transmission. Both four-cylinder engines are not only powerful, but also light. Aluminum heads and blocks provide weight gain about 20%. It helped to achieve better weighting, and therefore more sensitive and fast reactions of the machine. A new six-speed box with shortened moves of the lever to scout the transfer is a pleasure! A little later, a hydromechanical automatic and robotic selesepeed will appear.

But everything is known in comparison: the V-shaped six of 3.2 JTS is 260 liters. with. Just conquered. Throw up to one hundred only 7 seconds under juicy, with metal notes, roar! By the way, even at idle turns, the motor is highlighted in characteristic six-cylinder modulation, and tales can be removed on its elasticity.
But that is not all. To implement such a tutorial, three-liter alpha produce only with all-wheel drive transmissions Q4. Yes, not just with an ussociation that connects the stern only when the front wheels is slipped, and with a constant full-wheel drive and three differentials. Between the axes there is an asymmetrical self-locking Torsen, in normal conditions a dividing moment in the ratio of 43:57 in favor of the rear wheels. Considering a smaller load on them, revenge the tail of turns in the drift would be easier than the paired turnip, if it were not for the stabilization system, untouched. On the slippery coating the time distribution varies in the range from 22:78 to 72:28. Such a transmissision put, by the way, the Crosswegon and Sportfongon Universals.
There are three turbo: capacity of eight- and shestnadtsatiklapanny, respectively, 120 and 150 liters. with. and a new 200-strong row Five 2,4 JTDm with luxurious torque 400 Nm Such high specific indices (all units of liter capacity exceeding 80 l. C.), Combined with excellent efficiency achieved by the supercharging turbine with variable geometry, and the power supply system intercooler Common Rail with a pressure of 1600 bar. Among the original technical solutions very durable and lightweight rods. Naturally, all power units meet the Euro IV standards, and with some modifications and future Euro V.
NOT ONE SPORT

Of course, in addition to the outstanding handling dynamics and laid on the status of sports sedan, Alfa 159 has other advantages. For example, it is very quiet at 120 km / h level of internal noise of 67 dB is the best indicator in the classroom. This result achieved in particular thanks to a thick 5mm glass front doors. High comfort level provides a two- or three-zone climate control, audio system Bose 570 watt navigator with a 6.5-inch screen, voice control, built-in phone. In Europe, most of the electronic devices can be combined into Infotelematic system that can, for example, if necessary, to call repairmen or medics, saying the exact location of the machine.
For the convenience of pulling away up the hill there is a device that prevents rolling backwards. Strict EuroNCAP has not had time to test the new Alfa, but the manufacturers count on the five-star rating.
Not Born Beautiful
In Italy, Germany, France, Spain Alpha-159 start selling in September, two weeks, and in other European countries, in December podospeyut powerful three-liter version. The price in Italy from 28 to 40 thousand. Euro.
But in Russia? Perhaps the car will appear in 2006, more detailed information could be obtained. Of the 680 000 Alfa Romeo 156, issued in 1997, 44% sold in Italy, 46% in the rest of Europe, 9.7% in Japan, 0.3% in South America meager sales are not even taken into account in Russia. So the legend lives on its own, and the commercial success, especially in our specific market, to win not so easy. Maybe 159-I will be a breakthrough?