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| Alfa
Romeo 159 2.2 JTS |
Broadcast
date : 13th August 2006 |
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Over the past eight years, Alfa
Romeo has sold nearly seven-hundred thousand examples of their
156 sedan.
This is the replacement model, the 159, and there’s a lot
riding on the Italian sedan.
All the traditional Alfa-charisma detailing is there,
including a dramatic multiple headlight treatment up
front.
The question is, how does it shape up in a market with
impressive offerings from the likes of Audi, BMW and
Mercedes-Benz?
The overall 156 interior themes have been continued in the
159, but considerably up-dated.
Liberal use has been made of the voguish aluminium cabin-trim
on the console and steering wheel, and on the 159 the
dual-zone climate control has been heavily up-graded, which
was necessary after the indifferent system on the 156.
In its initial launch phase, the Fiat-Alfa group has
introduced the car with 1,9 litre and 2,2 litre petrol
engines.
A V6 version, probably with all-wheel-drive, is planned for an
Auto Africa debut in October, while a diesel model should
arrive next year.
There’s a lack of sharpness and immediacy about the 159 that
is at odds with what we’ve come to know and love in Alfa
Romeos.
It does have a much stiffer body shell than before,
which has enabled a generally good mix of ride and grip from
the front-wheel-drive layout.
We feel the problem lies in the fact that the 2,2 litre
engine, while a willing enough unit with a strong power
delivery, doesn’t sound at all special… and Alfas have
built a reputation over nearly a century for standing out from
the crowd.
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The same goes for the feedback
through the steering and the chassis. Whereas the 156 had a
fluidity that was enjoyable, the 159 simply feels remote.
As for the looks, while they are different, that long nose is
extremely easy to scrape, and Alfa would do well to include
front parking sensors in the package.
On the positive side, at R271 000, you do get a well-built,
well-equipped car for your money.
Alfa Romeo 159 2,2 JTS
- Engine:
Four-cylinder petrol, 2 198 cc
- Power: 136 kW @ 6
500 rpm
- Torque: 230 Nm @ 4
500 rpm
- Transmission:
Six-speed manual, rear-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h: 9,7
seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: 230 km/h
(claimed)
- Fuel consumption:
10,8 litres/100 km (estimated)
- Price: R271 000
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