- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.4DT, 5 cyl.
- Engine Power
154kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 6.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2006)
Alfa Romeo 159 TI 2.4 JTDm
Alfa Romeo first introduced its 159 big car in 2006. Three years on, it is introducing the substantially revised 159 Ti 2.4 JTDm. In Australia, it's the first time the Ti (Turismo Internationale) badge adorns this 2.4-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel version. Technical changes include a small power increase, 20-millimetre-lower sports suspension and claims of a smoother relationship between the engine and thetransmission.
What do you get?
Externally, the Ti is distinguished by a body kit and beautiful 19-inch alloys. The inside is awash in black leather with red stitching and burnished aluminium.
The Ti version costs $2000 more than the standard 2.4JTD, bringing the test car with the Q-Tronic six-speed auto to a hefty $62,990 (the manual six-speed is $3000 less). The Ti includes powered front sports seats with driver's-side memory, MP3 connection and Bluetooth. This is in addition to dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, park distance sensors, cruise control, a trip computer and full-size spare tyre. But there's only a single-CD player and satellite navigation and xenon headlights are extra.
How safe?
The Ti has stability control, seven airbags (including driver's knee airbag) and ABS with EBD. All passengers get lap-sash seatbelts and adjustable headrests. The 159 achieved five stars in NCAP independent crash testing.
What's inside?
New gauges and air-conditioning controls feature in a familiar Alfa interior, with gauges in deep tubes and air vents in the centre stack turned towards the driver. Weird Italian seating positions don't apply and seats are deeply upholstered. The steering wheel is nice to grip.
In the rear, more compact headlining and a reprofiled seat mean extra space but taller passengers might want more.
There's also a shortage of storage options and cup holders. The door pockets are almost useless.
The boot has a small opening but offers 405 useful litres. That expands to 770 litres with the rear seat split-folded but headrests can foul the operation. Of course, there's always the 159 Sportwagon option if more space is required.
Under the bonnet
The small "m" after the JTD designation signals this is an uprated version of this engine. The diesel is the biggest seller in Australia and now uses third-generation common-rail technology. The fuel injectors now have six holes rather than one.
The result is a power boost from 147kW to 154kW and better low-end response. Torque remains unchanged at a sizeable 400Nm (at 2000rpm). It's certainly a characterful piece, the five cylinders giving it a gravelly edge and a distinct soundtrack that becomes obvious when revved.
On the road
The Ti manages to ride comfortably as well as handle better than any Alfa we've sampled of late, including the Brera and GT.
While the new Pirelli 19-inch rubbers offer lots of grip, they generate plenty of noise on our coarse-chip roads, belying Alfa's claims of cabin noise reductions.
The Ti feels well-balanced and has light, consistent steering. There's little of the kickback that often mars "sporting" front-drive cars.
Despite the software improvements, there are still occasional hiccups between engine and transmission, usually when accelerating from stationary. Turbo lag plays a role here.
And yet it's barely an issue any other time. The JTDm's substantial torque helps it crush hills, seize overtaking opportunities and shorten long straights. The superior revving capacity of a petrol engine isn't really missed.
Against a claimed 7 litres/100km fuel use average, we ended much higher at 11.0L/100km. Driving around town, the biggest drawback is the large 11.1-metre turning circle.
Verdict
Great to look at, fun to drive, comfortable to ride in and more spacious than before, this latest iteration of the 159 is the best we've sampled. Some won't like the diesel soundtrack and pricing is edging beyond the affordable but if you want a taste of what Alfa is capable of then look no further.
For more on the Alfa Romeo 159 go to drive.com.au/alfa_159