AFTER seven years in Australia, Alfa’s 156 bows out of the market and makes way for the all-new 159. Because it succeeds a car that played a big role in re-establishing Alfa Romeo in Australia, the larger, heavier new car has a task ahead of it. Fortunately, with its thoroughly competitive pricing, bigger interior and new engines that don’t compromise the Alfa ideal, it appears the 159 could just do the job. The five-cylinder JTD turbo-diesel is powerful and economical the 2.2-litre JTS petrol surprisingly smooth and responsive. Only some skittishness in rough-road handling spoils an otherwise very positive experience.