- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.2i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
136kW, 230Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 9.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
The idea of a station wagon that combines a modicum of flexibility with a sexy look and a fun driving attitude has been around a lot longer than Holden's new Commodore Sportwagon.
European car manufacturers have been building wagons with attitude for years and one of the best exponents has been Alfa Romeo.
The Italian company sold a wagon as an adjunct to its 156 range that was so svelte it had less luggage capacity than the sedan. These days, with the 156 replaced by the 159, there are a whole range of Sportwagons.
They include 2.2-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre V6 petrol choices, along with two turbo-diesels, a 1.9 four and the 2.4-litre five-cylinder being tested here. Adding further interest, our 159 was fitted with a freshly arrived Q-Tronic six-speed automatic transmission.
That combination is priced at a substantial $61,990. Sounds hefty but the 159 is pretty well equipped. There's seven airbags included, a driver's knee bag, bi-xenon headlights, stability and traction control, ABS, rear parking sensors and the comforting back-up of a five-star safety rating.
Alloy wheels, fog lights, roof rails, dual climate control, leather trim, a trip computer, cruise control and a 10-CD audio system are also included.
However, the 159's interior space is nowhere near as generous. The point of the "sport" appellation is that it gives permission to be less efficient and a little more emotional in presentation and design. And if any car company should be emotional that's Alfa.
The loading lip into the boot is quite high and the actual space provided not that great. There's a claimed 445 litres with the rear seat in place (40 litres more than the sedan), 1235 litres with it folded down. While the tailgate cleverly opens from within the roof to improve access, there's no handgrip or way of unlocking it other than via the remote.
The 159 also has obvious limitations in the back seat. Firstly, small doors don't help exit and entry, while taller adults will find head and knee room tight. A pronounced exhaust tunnel limits the use of the middle-rear pew as well. The bench seat itself is terrific, with extended under-thigh support and a compliant, raked backrest.
The buckets up front are also lovely and the test car's tan and black trim was really handsome. Unfortunately, the look was let down by some rattles and squeaks, including rather flimsy transmission tunnel plastic that bowed in under knee pressure.
Storage opportunities for mobile phones and the like are also limited, but the actual controls look good and work pretty well. Getting comfortable in the driver's seat is aided by the reach and rake-adjustable steering.
No doubt, owners will forgive the 159 Sportwagon some of its foibles as this is a beautifully proportioned vehicle, melding the sedan's eagle-eyed front-end with that extended yet shapely rear. It promises much for the driving and delivers quite well. The 159 is a front-driver with a fair lump of diesel engine over the nose, so it doesn't feel too light on its feet. But it has quick steering, confident body control, a decent level of grip and a surprisingly good ride. Special plaudits for the brakes, which combine large 330 mm discs up-front with four-piston Brembo calipers. Annoyances such as steering kick-back and torque steer are well controlled. As a result, the 159 is an easy drive in town, soothing on the open road and fun when the road gets twisty. There are some noise intrusions from the tyres, road surfaces and the diesel engine, but there's nothing objectionable.
Nor does the engine spoil the party even if it seems an odd choice for an Alfa. With 400 Nm on tap from 2000 rpm, there's no shortage of accelerative urge (despite a 1700 kg kerb weight) or cruising power. Useful performance is over by 4000 rpm, but that's pretty normal for a diesel. As is good economy. We ended up at 9.7 L/100 km for the week against the claimed 8.3 L/100 km average.
The new Aisin automatic is a treasure, flattening the bumps and lags that can blight the turbo-diesel experience. The extra $3000 it commands over the manual is justified by its cleverness and smoothness. There's a Tiptronic manual function if you want to retain some of that sporty self-shifting experience. Features like that ensure the 159 Sportwagon does indeed have some sport in its character. It's not hard-core, instead there's a nice drive, a great look and useful luggage space. There are flaws, but this is an easy car to like.
Range*
Sportwagon JTS 2.2 | $52,990 |
Sportwagon JTD 1.9 | $54,990 |
Sportwagon JTD 2.4 | $58,990 |
Sportwagon V6 AWD 3.2 | $77,990 |
* Six-speed manual standard; | six-speed auto a $3000 option. |