Alfa ups 159 performance and economy

ALFA Romeo has lowered the price of admission to its mid-size 159 sedan line-up in Australia by $1000 to $49,990 plus on-road costs, following the release of 159 1750 TBi.

Replacing the former entry-level 159’s 2.2-litre JTS four-cylinder petrol engine with the Italian car-maker’s new turbocharged, direct-injection 1.75-litre engine with dual variable valve timing and revolutionary scavenging control system, the 159 1750 TBi base model meets Euro 5 emissions standards and increases power from 136 to 147kW and torque from 230 to a V6-like 320Nm from 1400rpm.

At the same time, the 159 1750 TBi – which follows the release of this month’s revised MiTo TCT automatic range and precedes the launch of Alfa’s all-new Giulietta compact hatch in January - offers lower fuel consumption by a litre per 100km to 8.1L/100km and CO2 emissions by 30 grams per kilometre to 189g/km.



What's more, the six-speed manual 159 1750 TBi is more than a second quicker to 100km/h (7.7 seconds) than the 159 2.2 JTS it replaces.

Two versions of the 159 1750 TBi are now available in showrooms, with the sub-$50,000 base model offered alongside the 159 Ti 1750 TBi, which costs $54,480 plus on-road costs – more than $1500 cheaper than the 159 2.2 JTS Ti manual it replaces.

Both 159 1750s come standard with seven airbags, electronic stability control, ABS brakes with brake assist and a hill-holder, leather seat, steering wheel and gearshifter trim, cruise control, fog lights, power windows/mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and headlights, remote central locking, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate-control, the Blue&Me telematics system and voice-activated Bluetooth connectivity.

The higher-spec 159 Ti 1750 TBi adds 20mm-lower sports suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 R19 tyres, red Brembo brakes, a bodykit, aluminium-finish exterior mirrors, black leather with contrasting red stitching, power-adjustable heated sports seats, red instrument highlights and aluminium trim for the dashboard, door sills and drilled sports pedals.