{"id":1336,"date":"2005-06-14T01:48:09","date_gmt":"2005-06-14T01:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.thesocialmedia.com\/petrol-head\/2005\/06\/14\/deeper-into-the\/"},"modified":"2012-07-17T13:47:20","modified_gmt":"2012-07-17T13:47:20","slug":"deeper-into-the","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.thesocialmedia.com\/petrol-head\/2005\/06\/14\/deeper-into-the\/","title":{"rendered":"Deeper into the Alfa 159"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"10634105\"<\/a> On June 13, Alfa Romeo released detailed official information about the oncoming 159. We may have already presented the car that\u2019s to take over the 156 quite thoroughly, we can add a few details though. 156 met an impressive success, with 680,000 copies produced between 1997 and 2005, and was the starting point of Alfa\u2019s renewal. They cannot mess up with the 159. Alfa promises optimum quality and safety levels, a better handling and drive and a more flexible cockpit. The contrary would have been quite amazing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

At last, Alfa\u2019s saloon receives a split\/fold rear bench, a TFT screen monitoring the stereo and the navigation and numerous storage units. A tri-zone aircon will be offered on highest versions. 8 airbags will protect the passengers, besides, Alfa has implanted airbags protecting the knees. The company hopes the 159 will be granted 5 stars by the EuroNcap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The dynamic safety of the car should be guaranteed by double wishbones for the front suspension a multilink at the rear and an excellent torsional rigidity of the bodyshell, elaborated on the Premium platform. With 180,000 daNm\/rad, Alfa claims it\u2019s the best in its segment.
<\/span><\/span>As for the engines, we had already mentioned what they would be like, the only thing being that the 3.2 unit will develop 260bhp. This engine can be coupled with a 4WD transmission.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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There are a few drawbacks though. Being bigger than its predecessor, the 159 will also weight a lot more: from 1480 to 1740kg. An average increase of 200kg! This should have bad consequences on the fuel consumption as well as on prices. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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As a beginning, the 159 will be available in 2 outfits, the quality of which also depending on the engine they come with. The lower trim includes electric mirrors and windows, an air-con, 16\u2019\u2019 alloys, ABS, VDC (Alfa\u2019s ESP), 7 airbags, an 8-hp CD stereo and a trip computer. Strangely enough, the foldable rear bench remains optional on every version. All models receive a 6-speed gearbox.
<\/span><\/span>In a few months\u2019 time, the Sport Wagon will be released and a common-rail Multijet V6 3.0 engine will crown the diesel range. Thus, Alfa hopes to compete more efficiently with the Audi A4<\/a>, Mercedes<\/a> C-Class, BMW 3-Series<\/a> and Volvo S40<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n