New Alfa a challenge for BMW

New Alfa a challenge for BMW

Has Italy’s most famous sporty saloon produced a car better than Germany’s? The replacement for the 156, the 159 is certainly giving it a go, and has finally got what it takes to come at least up to par with the BMW 3-Series.
The 159 is bigger, chunkier and more masculine than the 156 – itself a fair success when it was launched. However, the original didn’t turn out to be quite the BMW rival Alfa hoped for. The 156 had a beautiful body, but the rest was still not quite up to its German rivals. The tables have now turned.
Alfa’s new “Premium” platform underpins the 159, the same platform used for the stunning Brera coupé, reviewed in SSO 884. Virtually nothing is carried over from the 156, including the engines, with the V6 based on General Motors’ designs with Alfa-originated cylinder heads. In fact the V6 is made at Holden’s Fishermans Bend plant down in Melbourne. The 159 is available in Australia in two petrol and two diesel models.
The Giugiaro-styled body is handsome and adopts an imposing stance. Its tough shoulder line is enhanced from the 156, although the concealed rear door handles have been ditched. Inside, the cabin has a chunkier, higher-quality feel, more space, extra air vents and a starter button. But while the seats and driving position are very comfortable, there are still flaws. The handbrake has been positioned to the right of the centre tunnel, hard up against the seat, a bit of a disappointment considering the beautiful layout of the rest of the interior.
The base model 2.2 has a crisp exhaust note, revs freely and pulls strongly from low speeds. The V6 is very tuneful, and feels powerful and smooth. On top of that, it has a great high-revs wail. Of the diesels, we drove the 2.4 JTD, which is torquey and surprisingly refined. All 159s have six-speed manual transmission, while Selespeed sequential boxes are optional.
Do these cars handle well? You bet! Pick of the bunch, not surprisingly, is the all-wheel-drive Q4 V6. Through corners its capable chassis feels assured, and there are huge amounts of grip on offer. Pushed hard, it seems almost rear-driven. The 2.4 JTD is nearly as good but not quite so agile, with its front-wheel drive (4WD is optional) and heavy nose, with considerable torque steer on heavy acceleration.
Less weight on the leading wheels makes the 2.2 keener into corners at the expense of a more fidgety ride and reduced steering feel. All variants cope with bumps better than a 156, though. The steering response is still ultra-quick, and the turning circle – woeful in the previous-generation cars – is tighter.
So has Alfa finally created a model that will leave the BMW 3-Series bloodied? It is a tough call. Although the Italian certainly has the style and performance, reliability will not be proven overnight and buyer confidence will take time to build. However, the 159 is definitely a step forward from the 156.
AUTO FACTS
Price: $49,990-$79,990
Engine: Petrol: 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder JTS and 3.2-litre V6; diesel: 1.9-litre and 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder JTD
Max Power: Petrol: 136kW@6,500rpm, 230Nm@4,500rpm; 191kW@6,200rpm, 322Nm@4,500rpm; diesel: 110kW@4,000rpm, 320Nm@2,000rpm; 147kW@4,000rpm, 400Nm@4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic or Selespeed
Fuel consumption: Petrol: 9.3-9.5L/100km; 11.5-12.2L/100km; Diesel: 6.0-7.2L/100km; 6.8-8.1L/100km
Good: Great value and fun to drive
Bad: Dreadful automatic transmission

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