Alfa 159

bmoferrall

Could Alfa be onto a winner with the 159?
Endorsements like this will provide a welcome boost (JC is never wrong ).
Encouragingly, the Brera (and other upcoming Alfas) shares the same chassis.
Hopefully, we will see a test drive of the 159, and the Brera, in the next TG series.
Incidentally, numerous European reviews have been simiilarly enthusiastic, some placing it ahead of the 3-series.

JC wrote:

...
But do not pretend the 159 isn’t there next time you want a mid-range four-door saloon because that would be a mistake. A bad one. First of all, it is exactly one million times better looking than a BMW 3-series. And with those triple headlamps, and perfect proportions, at least half a million times better looking than any rivals from Audi, Mercedes or Jaguar.

Inside, it’s even better. The driving position is spot on, the dials look like they’ve come from a Swiss watch and the quality of the leather, especially if you have it in red, gives the impression that it costs Rolls-Royce money.

But it doesn’t. A 159 Lusso, which is the luxury version, is £22,395. That’s about what BMW charges for a 320i SE, but Alfa gives you far more equipment as standard and lots more power as well. The 2.2 litre engine is a peach that just begs to be taken outside and given a damn good thrashing. Porsche engineered an exhaust rasp into the Boxster at 5000rpm to reward the sporty driver. Alfa hasn’t bothered. It just gives you a simple four-cylinder engine that, all on its own, sounds better and better until you’re up at 6500 when it sounds like a metallic werewolf.

You can pootle around slowly but somehow you tend to drive the 159 very hard and very fast. But the engine, torquey, powerful and smooth though it may be, is not the best part of this car. That accolade goes to the steering. It’s fast, sharp, more informative than the internet and more tactile than a freshly carved stone otter.

The handling is also sweet and yet the ride isn’t even slightly uncomfortable. Which means that the 159 drives and feels like no other car in its class. If you have even the faintest trace of petrol in your veins, if you are even on nodding terms with the concept of simple, good engineering, you should drive this car. Because it doesn’t matter what you have now, you’ll be smitten. I was.

This is one of those cars that’s demonstrably and appreciably better than any other mid-range four-door family saloon. And unlike any Alfa of the past, you don’t have to machete your way through a million inconveniences to find the point. This car does not hide its gold watch up its behind. It is an absolute gem

Petrolheads unite...silence the Alfa bashers now !

Lex Luthor

My first impressions were, I prefer my 156.

Interceptor

Jeremy Clarkson is regularly wrong but he gets away with it by being such a cheeky chappy. The only 159 I've seen so far was a left-hand drive pre launch version and the interior plastics are so bad I felt ill. The ergonomics are still 'strange' with stuff in all the wrong places and the seat felt like it was out of a Daewoo. I'm sure they will sell plenty of diesel 159's, and although they go from a to b in style, it will be interesting to see how many of the large petrol engined versions sell here.

Its a lovely car but I do mourn the loss of the hidden rear door handles...

'cptr

impr0v

I was beside one in stationary traffic on the Quays a few months ago at this stage and it truly is gorgeous. The pictures don't do it justice. The design just makes so much visual sense and looks so effortless that it implies other manufacturers are simply lazy for not being able to come close to the aesthetic standards Alfa are setting.

maidhc

Interceptor wrote:

Its a lovely car but I do mourn the loss of the hidden rear door handles...

Isnt there a Seat with them now?

It probably is a great car to drive, but how many people make this their sole criterion when buying a car. How many people even consider it when buying a car.

The 156 has a very tarnished reputation (objective fact). If the 159 does nothing other than solve this it will be a major success.

Henry Ford III

A good looking car. The GT is similarly attractive. The Brera is automotive porn essentially.

prospect

maidhc wrote:

Isnt there a Seat with them now?

Yep, and it was designed by the guy who designed the 147. Not entirely sure of his involvement in the 156.

I think the 159 is beautiful. Probably not as 'groundbreaking' as the 156 was in terms of style.

But regardless of what Clarkson thinks, (or any journalist), only time will tell how it weighs up in reliability terms.

And, the dealer network is still the same as it ever was, and I think this is the big issue Alfa need to address.

crosstownk

I test drove one over Paddy's weekend and I was rather impressed with it. It had a couple of strange noises coming from the engine - a high pitched whine, and a noise from the right wheel arch when on full lock (not PAS noise). It also had a klunking noise from the rear over rough ground but this could have been the spare wheel or toolkit.
It looks absolutely stunning and the one I drove was red and certainly turned a lot of heads. The dash is pretty cool and I like the oil temp guage. The trip computer is similar to what was in the 156 but is slightly more refined and relocated between the two main clocks. I never checked, but I think it was a 1.8 version and it felt slightly underpowered but there was only 2,000km on the clock and some hard driving and few thousand kms may loosen it up a bit.
The big question will be its reliability which will only be revealed as time passes. I honestly hope they prove more reliable than the 156 as these great looking cars need to become more popular on our roads.

alias no.9

I really hope the 159 does nothing for alfas reputation and does not change the steep depreciation curve. I picked up a 00 156 late last year for very little more than my girlfriend paid for a 00 Ka a few months earlier. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a 159 in a few years time for a similarly appealing price.

alias no.9

prospect wrote:

Yep, and it was designed by the guy who designed the 147. Not entirely sure of his involvement in the 156.

Walter DeSilva is his name and he was responsible for the 156 too. While I love the styling of the 156, I think DeSilva is turning into a two trick pony, very prominant grille featuring a large company logo and hidden rear door handles. With seat copying design features and even churning out shameless facsimilies, albeit not necessarily in the same market (certain angles of the new leon are extremely similar to the 147 and the new cordoba looks like the bastard child of a 156 and a bubble shape mazda 121), I think alfa were right to move the game on. When a unique design feature becomes, well not unique anymore, it's time to let it go, hidden rear door handles, lexus lights, bee sting aerials, the list goes on...

bmoferrall

Lex Luthor wrote:

My first impressions were, I prefer my 156.

Have you driven the 159? If so, impressions would be welcome. In what respects is the 156 better?
Personally, I prefer the clean unfussy look of the original 156, though I've yet to see the 159 in the metal. The 156 has some major deficiencies in the ride/refinement department. By all accounts, these have been addressed with the new chassis (coupled with class-leading body stiffness). I believe they've also switched to timing chains. A big negative for me is the considerable extra weight of the 159, especially the 4wd version.

Interceptor wrote:

Jeremy Clarkson is regularly wrong but he gets away with it by being such a cheeky chappy.

Love him or hate him, I think he has a good instinct when judging cars (albeit on a relatively superficial level). He does get it wrong of course - the 350Z springs to mind. More often than not though, I tend to agree with his verdicts.

Its a lovely car but I do mourn the loss of the hidden rear door handles...

Agreed. Photoshop out the rear handle in the above pic and it looks even better. According to Alfa, a majority questioned prefer the rear handle to be visible (must have asked a bunch of folk at a taxi rank).

hmmm

Saw one recently as well, absolutely gorgeous. First time a "mainstream" saloon made me want to take a picture of it.

fdisk

Have driven one of these for a few days and can confirm that Clarkson is right on the money. More refined drive than the 156 and with a more comfortable interior (I have tan leather and trizone aircon). New dash layout is better and sterring feedback is superb!

Lex Luthor

bmoferrall wrote:

Have you driven the 159? If so, impressions would be welcome. In what respects is the 156 better?

I haven't driven the 159 yet....probably afraid to in case I want one.

I was in the Alfa showroom a few weeks back and had a good look around.

I just still love my 156, although a test drive in a 159 could change that. Prefer the dials on the 156 though especially the black ones with red decals.

But its an alfa, never said I didn't like it.

prospect

Mr. Magazine, or can I call you Drive?

Continually posting blatent adverts for your site is gonna get you banned fairly quick.

Bluehair

prospect wrote:

Mr. Magazine, or can I call you Drive?

Continually posting blatent adverts for your site is gonna get you banned fairly quick.

I wouldn't mind but there isn't even a review of the 159 on the site :rolleyes: , somebody ban him quick...

matt cork

i think the 159 looks fantastic and certainly a step up in the looks department on the current, re-faced, 156

colm_mcm

It'll need to be very cheap, it won't be stealing sales from the 3 series (or even 1 series) on looks alone

matt cork

the alfa is cheaper than the 3 series, even the Q4, is priced less than an equivalent 330

JackieChan

Price range is 36,500-49,500

colm_mcm

I mean the proper models. The high end 156's were competing with 316i's. that's just the way it works, high spec, high performance - or BMW badge
156 1.6 were competing with Mondeos and 406's

matt cork

looked at spec'd up Q4

Dr 3.2 V6 4x4 Sportivo

Base Price € 49,300.00
Electrical wing mirrors, electrically folding, heated memory 0.00
Electrically opening sunroof with anti-pinching gasket (1) 1,295.00
Metallic colours 945.00
Nuvola paint 1,350.00
Alfa Red paint 495.00
17" sporty design light alloy wheels mated to 255/50 tyres 1,950.00
18" perforated design light alloy wheels mated to 235/45 tyres 2,550.00
17" diamond effect spoked light alloy wheels mated to 255/50 tyres 1,950.00
18" spoked light alloy wheels mated to 235/45 tyres 2,550.00
Rear badge deletion 0.00
Sunblind 95.00
Tri-zone automatic climate control (with air nozzles at rear, pollen filter with activated charcoal and AQS) 695.00
Push-button ignition 0.00
3-level heating for front seats 395.00
Mechanical tilting action for driver and passenger seats 95.00
Leather seats and electrically adjustable seats with memory on drivers side 1,995.00
FrauR leather seats Pieno Fiore and electrically adjustable seats with memory on drivers side 2,995.00
Manually operated sunscreen at rear 95.00
Passenger Kneebag 145.00
Headlamp washer with windshield liquid level sensor 895.00
Bi-Xenon headlamps (mated to headlamp washers) 895.00
Standard size alloy plate spare wheel 245.00
Full-sized spare wheel 145.00
Parking sensor (front and rear) built into bumper, with obstacle approaching audible and visual warning on multifunctional display 895.00
Rear parking sensor built into bumper with obstacle approaching audible and visual warning 495.00
Car radio with CD and MP3 player (8 loudspeakers) 95.00
CD-Changer (10 CD) 525.00
Bose R Hi-Fi system with digital amplifier (8 speakers + 1 central + subwoofer) 795.00
Provision for hands-free phone 95.00
Radionavigator by maps with 6.5" colour display, hands-free Gsm phone and service calls (emergency calls, b-CONNECT services) 2,950.00
Radionavigator by maps with 6.5" colour display, hands-free Gsm phone and voice controls 2,450.00
Hands-free system voice recognition and BluetoothTM technology(1) 195.00
Utility Sedan Pack (carpet covers, front net, luggage retaining net) 195.00
Total: 67,430

wow.........................:eek:

colm_mcm

did you add up different options of paint and leather at the same time?

matt cork

colm_mcm wrote:

did you add up different options of paint and leather at the same time?

took the most expensive 'options' not every one of them - unfortunately with the cut and paste it takes all options

its on the www.alfaromeo.ie site

even spec'd up lower end models are going to be priced in excess of fords, opels etc......

ciarsd

Lads, if I'm not very much mistaken, the list of options above are all the ones available for the range (i.e the 159).
However, the different models/trim levels are going to have some, more, all of the options listed above with the exception of the Nuvola paint which you always gotta pay for.

So the Q4, may not be as dear as we're assuming. It could well come spec'd with the 18s, climate, boot changer etc

This happened with my new car. I was playing about with the online car configurator and it allowed me to choose an audio upgrade and a boot changer, even though it was already included as 'standard issue spec' in the particular model I went for thus making my car more expensive than it was.
The online car config. needs to be tweaked to be a little more clever

Lex Luthor

crosstownk wrote:

I test drove one over Paddy's weekend and I was rather impressed with it. It had a couple of strange noises coming from the engine - a high pitched whine, and a noise from the right wheel arch when on full lock (not PAS noise). It also had a klunking noise from the rear over rough ground but this could have been the spare wheel or toolkit.

You see it's things like this that will cause the 159 to depreciate and keep people away, rather than its stunning looks and great drive.

Too many people got burnt with the 156 on its depreciation and high cost of ownership. And with the 159 being almost €10k more expensive than the 156, even though its bigger, won't persuade people to spend on it. Its got stiff competition from the Passat & Accord, which I think they will find hard to compete against.

Anan1

I drove one last week, as part of the process of finding a replacement for my mother's owned-from-new 156 2.0. My impressions are as follows:

The car was essentially quite similar to the 156 to drive, albeit definitely more refined and quieter. Build quality was no better or worse than the old car, ie good enough, but no match for a BMW. The car I drove suffered from mild torque-steer (1.9), not enough to be a problem, but enough to irritate.

In my opinion, the car is quite good-looking in much the same way as a Passat (also on the list). It is, however, completely lacking the balance, beauty & grace of the original Alfa 156.

My overall impression was that the car, although more refined, is no better dynamically than the 156, is no better built, and doesn't have the looks.

I only realized how little the car had done for me a few days later, when I drove a BMW 320d.

Anan1

Jeremy Clarkson:

"The greatest sensation of speed afforded to ordinary man is not on a go-kart or a rollercoaster. It comes when you’ve got the cruise control set at 70mph, the traffic in front is stopping and momentarily you can’t find the button to turn it off. In that hiccup of time it doesn’t feel like you’re doing 70mph. It feels like you’re doing three times the speed of light.

That’s why, in most cars, the cruise control “off” button is clearly visible and easy to use in a hurry. Not in the Alfa it isn’t. It looks like one of the pieces from a game of Risk and it’s mounted on a stalk just below and slightly behind the indicator.

So when the traffic ground to a halt on the M40 I bet the chap behind me was keen to know why I didn’t slow at all and then, for no obvious reason, suddenly indicated left. This, then, is proper swivel-eyed Alfa lunacy but it is the only thing in the car that’s truly wrong and there’s a simple way round the problem. Ignore it. Pretend it isn’t there."

Is this buffoon for real?? A simple touch on the brakes will deactivate cruise, no? Does he really not know this, or is being "interesting" more important than writing an accurate review of the car?

prospect

Anan1 wrote:

A simple touch on the brakes will deactivate cruise, no? Does he really not know this, or is being "interesting" more important than writing an accurate review of the car?

Thats what I thought.
As a matter of fact, you are not meant to use the cruise control off button in that manner. If you switch it off it loses its speed memory setting, so you'll have to reset your cruise speed every time.
On my Dads 166, you touch the brakes, (or clutch), to disengage the cruise control. When you are ready there is a handy button that will accelerate the car back to the preset speed and hold it there.

Eoin

Anan1 wrote:

Does he really not know this, or is being "interesting" more important than writing an accurate review of the car?

In fairness, we are lucky he actually wrote as much as he did about the car. Usually his articles are 90% some "amusing" anecdotes, and then a last paragraph of quips about the car.