Test Drive Alfa Romeo 159 since 2005 Sedan

All photos Alfa Romeo 159 since 2005

On sweet!

Turismo Internazionale sounds beautifully! And what does it look like! So it is also going perfectly. The Italians from Alfa Romeo always knew how to make minor changes to their cars more sporty and bright.

So it came out that Alfa Romeo 159 in the TI version went to sweet. Alfa does not come to me, even if I dine her daily my appetite to the Italian brand inseparable. A permanent aperitif in the form of two orthodox Alfa Romeo models 155 and 164, which is in my family, helps to support it. But I always want to taste something new, unusual. Last year, I walked a worm of 159th with a 2.2 JTS engine. Beautiful. And in quality is much better than 156th. And steals very well. But still it is a snack, salad, no more. The engine capacity of 2.2 liters is good, but its power is clearly not enough for a full feast behind the wheel. Not quite a dietary option, of course, but

For hot, not so long ago tried Brera. Beautiful dish! With the resistant taste of the first 3.2 liter V6, seasoning from the amazing external data and the aftertaste of the full drive Q4. Present pedestrian coupe from Alfa Romeo! The only thing that caused some disharmony is automatic gearbox. No, I do not want to say that the Q-Tronic Bad Box. Full at level. But on a truly sporty car, there must still be a handle and this does not require explanation. And finally, the long-awaited dessert. 159 Ti, without confrontation of all the advantages in the face of a powerful motor and all-wheel drive transmission, acquired a lot of additional delicacies. In particular, the car taken on the test was equipped with a 6-speed mechanical gearbox (although Q-tronic is possible here. Well, the most important and interesting sportpaket Ti.

The history of the Abbreviations Ti (Turismo Internazionale) began more than half a century ago, in the distant already 1950, when the Great Giuseppe Nino Farina Behind the wheel of the racing Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta was the first champion of Formula 1 champion. It was then that it was decided to release the 100-strong TI version on the basis of the first post-war serial model 1900, which was distinguished by a magnificent aerodynamic body. And a year later, at the end of the second season of the F-1 World Championship (in which the legendary Juan Manuel FanoRi was defeated in the stelest struggle with Ferrari pilots, 1900 Ti, symbolizing the triumph of a dynamically developing brand in motor racing and addressed sports Oriented drivers, went on sale. Since then, the TI package was offered almost all models of the company.

At different times and in relation to different cars, he meant various changes in the design. They were never significant and expensive, but always retained the same focus to make the car even more sporting, shark his handling, and his appearance to give even greater originality. It is significant, by the way, that with the exit to the light of versions of the TI of the 159th model, their total amount is equal to 100! So this is a kind of anniversary! The new Alfa Romeo 159 Ti fully followed the traditions. It should be immediately noted that this modification can be painted only in one of three colors: red (ALFA ROSSO), gray (Stromboli Gray) and black (Carbonio Black).

I am confident that the overwhelming majority of potential buyers will choose, of course, Rosso, no matter how cool, and Alfa, the more sporting, should be red. Now finally, that, in addition to the cherished nameplates on the lid of the trunk and the front wings, it acquires the amount of 3,500 euros 59 Ti.
Although this list does not seem impressive, but for such money it is still a tempting offer! And without the stunning appearance of Italian, it becomes even brighter thanks to new thresholds painted in the body color (or chrome) mirrors and 19 inch ten-tie wheeled disks of the original design. These wheels are not only beautiful, but also lungs! I tried to raise this disk in the show in the show and the standard one with a diameter of 18 inches. SUMMARY: Disc from TI is significantly easier! (Unfortunately, in our photos, you see the most heavy shoes of the 18th year of the winter option).

Well, reducing unsresproving masses benefit to any car. Through the wheels, more powerful Brembo brake mechanisms are shown. Without a doubt, they work more efficiently standard, but it was not possible to test this. The car was not able to wish in terrible Yokohama IG20 tires, with which even innocent braking is carried out under the string of the ABS system. Well, you can do in the yard of winter. There are changes in the cabin. These are the main rigid leather chairs with a pronounced profile and embroidered on the back of the Alfa Romeo branded logo. Beautiful seats, perfectly hold the body. The interior Ti is distinguished by the stitching of the red thread, and the aluminum decor of the front panel is made in a darker tone.

Another surprise is hidden under the bottom this is a reconfigured exhaust. Bassite system is terrible. But it seemed strange that this bass is only available on low revs, in the range from 2000 to 3500. In other words, in the conditions of the city measured ride, in traffic jams it begins to coal and put pressure on the ears. But even more surprising the other: when you move with a pergazzka to the bottom stage, you are waiting for the engine and release to confirm this, but in response silence (thanks to sound insulation, it is much better than on previous Alfa Romeo), and only a tachometer shooter Reports that everything is in order. Perhaps the sound of release was adjusted in accordance with the changed engine character.

New 3.2 JTS leads its pedigree from the Australian Holden Motor (read General Motors), it is not as twisted as the legendary Twin Spark or my old 12 valve V6, which require constantly keeping the revolutions not lower than 4000. Its characteristics are smoother, if not to say boring What, however, does not prevent him from 260 horses accelerate the car up to 100 km / h in 7 seconds. Not so quickly, I agree. There is a rather large mass of the car in 1740 kg. Heavy 159 me. But in version Ti there is another, the most important, highlight

So I got to the most pleasant to taste a piece of sweet. Attached at 20 mm sports suspension, in fact, and there is the main component of the TI package (by the way, it can be ordered separately). If you discard the inconvenience associated with a decrease in clearance, because the person who buys a sports car knows what is coming, in advance, the advantages of such suspension is obvious. I have, like a person sophisticated in Alfa Romeo, it does not cause surprise. The models of past years (155 and 156) after installing such an upgrade were literally transformed. Their handling worked better. I am glad that the new 159th did not exception. Elastic, extremely assembled, but without excessive stiffness, the suspension is associated with very sharp (2 turns) and the transparent steering wheel allows you to control the car Filigree clearly. The car keeps the road perfectly, there are no rolls in principle. I have no doubt that in summer, on good rubber (again these tires!) It will be possible to take turns at a huge speed, greater than on the usual 159. But now winter. So extracted and from this its advantages! Especially since I have long wanted to deal with all-wheel drive transmissia Q4.

I was always surprised, how they behave in the snow and ice Alfa Romeo cars from the country, where and the winter is no decent. But, as they say, you will not drink skills. And 159th is perfectly managed in slipping. True, mutual understanding had to look for a full drive. And here Alfa demonstrates its hot nestors. At the entrance in turn, when the car seems to be inexorably by all four wheels begins to drag out, it is not necessary to be afraid to open gas. There will be a redistribution of the moment on the rear axle, the feeling, and the rear wheels will begin to push the car in turn. And here you can either accelerate in a straight line or, working with gas and steering, spectacularly lead the car in the power slide. BRAVO! BRAVISSIMO !! Perfetto !!! Not quite natural, but if you master this technique, then keep all-wheel drive Audi and BMW!

Delicious dessert came out, saturated. It is a pity that so small. I wanted to graze him a little longer, but alas, I am already a spoonful scraper on the bottom of the Creams it's time to part with this hot ragazza. Sticking the heart, I give the keys. Maybe now caught coffee? The best variety, and even with cognac? Let's wait 159 GTA.

Chronology

Alfa Romeo 1900 Ti
The Ti clan by the pilon chalk was the 1900 model, developed under the start of a talented engineer Orazio Satti. The first Ti version was released in 1951, and in 1953 it changed it 1900 Ti Super. Their differences were reduced mainly to engine boating. At 1900 Ti there was a different head of the cylinders block: the diameter of intake and exhaust valves was increased, 2 carburetors were installed instead of one and modified intake and exhaust manifolds. Due to this, the compression ratio was increased (from 7.5 to 7.75) and the capacity increased (from 90 hp at 5,200 rpm to 100 hp at 5500 rpm). The TI Super version had a larger motor (1975 cm instead of 1884), which was achieved by increasing the piston diameter from 82.55 to 84.5 mm at a constant course of 88 mm. Due to this, the capacity was already 115 hp The 1900 Ti Coupe was a mansion with a beautiful 2-door body from Atelier PinInfarina. On account of 1900 Ti a huge number of victories in various competitions.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Ti
Giulietta Ti appeared in 1957. Ti has become the most popular modification of Juliet. For all years of production, more than 50,000 copies were released. The main difference, as in the case of 1900, has become a more powerful power unit to the engine capacity of 1290 cm. Another block of block was installed. He developed 65 hp, while on a standard car 53 hp Although even more energy modifications, Sprint (80 hp), Sprint Veloce (90 hp), Sprint Speciale (100 hp) and Sprint Zagato (100 hp) appeared. Giulietta has become a worthy continuer of Alfa Romeo sports traditions.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti
Particular attention, in addition to those produced since 1962, version Ti (92 hp), it is worth paying the modification of Giulia Ti Super (103 hp), which appeared in 1963. A total of 501 copies were made. Behind this sedan and now collectors hunt. From the base model, it was distinguished by a more powerful engine, the ability to select a fuel tank of different volumes and additional details of the interior and exterior, which give models a more sporty, dynamic appearance (sports seats, a different instrument panel, a three-spoke steering wheel, alloy wheels, darkened distance lights). In 1966, he saw the light of the Giulia 1300 Ti model with a motor volume of 1290 cm, with a capacity of 84 hp The lightweight racing modifications of the 1300th GTA, GTA Junior prepared by the AUTODELTA, prepared by the AUTODELTA (which developed almost 160 hp engines) at 8000 rpm) and two-liter GTAM dominated the FIA \u200b\u200bEuropean Championship races in the touring class: in the first race of 1966 In Monza, Alfovtsy finished on the first seven (!) Places, this one and the next seasons brought two consecutive championship titles (in class 1600 cm) by the legendary Andrea de Adamich, in 1969, Alfa marked another such victory, and in 1970-71 won Immediately in two classes.

Alfa Romeo Alfasud.
ALFASUD The first front-wheel drive model of the brand received a huge number of versions of Ti. Since 1971, four opposite four of various volumes from 1.2 to 1.5 liters were installed for three generations of ALFASUD. The Ti version was produced with 2 door body. Changes were such: four round headlights, turn signs in the front bumper, larger wheels, spoiler on the rear door, lining on bumpers, dark grille, modified interior with sport seats. The power of the 1.2-liter motor was 68 against the base 63 hp Thanks to other camshafts. Since 1977, the volume has increased to 1286 cm, and with it and power up to 75 hp. After restyling, in the same year, the TI version received a small amount of cosmetic changes, and the engine began to develop on 1 hp. more. Next, TI Opposites 1350 and 1490 cm had already two carburetors and developed, respectively, 86 and 95 hp. In 1982, version 1.5 Ti changed the more powerful modification of Sprint Quadrifoglio Verde (105 hp). Since then, the QV version has become the top sports version of the Alfa Romeo models, and the TI abbreviation has become the one to this day the designation of minor alterations that do not affect the engine design.
Alfa Romeo Arna Ti
In 1984, Alfa Romeo, together with Nissan, developed the ARNA model (initial letters of Alfa Romeo Nissan Automobili SPA), which also received the TI version. It was installed on it from Alfasud with a volume of 1351 cm (86 hp), while on the usual ARNA 1186 cm (63 hp). As a result, the maximum speed increased from 150 to 170 km / h.

Alfa Romeo 33 Ti
33 Ti Option with a 1.5-liter opposite engine, which appeared thanks to the restyling of the first generation of the 33th model, conducted in 1986. As a result, Ti was renamed 33 QV from 1983 to 1986 with a 105 strong injection motor. From the other thirty-third of those years, it is distinguished by the corporate anti-cycle rear, the aerodynamic skirt along the thresholds and the regular right mirror. All of these external attributes also also wore a QV version, but it was distinguished by more serious changes in 1.7 liter engine (115 hp) and sports suspension.

ALFA ROMEO 155 V6 TI DTM
Among all Alfa Romeo models with the TI index is a mansion. As you can guess from the name, she participated in the DTM championship. And unsuccessfully: already in the debut season behind the wheel of 155 V6 Ti, Nikola Larini became the champion of DTM, and in total from 1993 to 1996 she won 16 victories. This car had little in common with the serial Alfa Romeo 155. The body of monocletes with an integrated safety frame. Transmission 6 Step semi-automatic, carbon fiber clutch. Mass of 1060 kg. Power 490 hp at 11,900 rpm. The maximum speed is over 300 km / h.
ALFA ROMEO 155 V6 TI-Z
Another modification of 155 Ti-Z. The letter 'Z at the end talks about the body of the original design developed by Zagato specialists. Stunning beauty car! And extremely rare. A total of about 40 copies were released, each of which is customized. All of them, according to available data, are now in Japan. In the Body Zagato released several versions of the car. In 1993, 155 Ti-Z (on the basis of all-wheel drive 155 Q4, power 215 hp). In 1995, 155 TS TI-Z (2.0 TWIN SPARK, 170 hp), 155 Ti-Z (Q4, 215 hp), 155 GTA-Z (Q4, 215-450 hp). In 1996, 155 TS TI-Z (standard Twin Spark, only body), 155 TS TI-Z (2.0 TWIN SPARK, Sports Kit 190 hp), 155 TS TI-Z AT (automatic transmission), 155 GTA-Z (Q4, 215 hp) + another instance with the V6 engine. Well, it remains only to envy the Japanese.

Alfa Romeo 147, 156, 166 Ti
Ti equipment has become available for these models (147 and 166 on the conveyor so far) after restyling, conducted in 2003. The options of this package were close to what are offered for 159: Special interior decoration, 17-inch wheels of the original design and low sports suspension.

Dmitry Krotov