Alfa Romeo 159 Sedan

Styling Brief

The Alfa 159 is a prestigious saloon that combines refined Italian styling with the sporty elegance typical of Alfa Romeo.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the new car has an elegant, sinuous line, which combines generous dimensions with the compactness typical of Alfa Romeo sportiness: the car is 4,660 millimetres long, 1,828 mm wide and 1,417 high, with a wheelbase of 2,700 millimetres.

Starting with the strong, essential front, which is dominated by the large Alfa Romeo shield. The line of the entire car springs from here, combining a light stylistic "aggressiveness" with strikingly elegant forms. This impression is underlined by the lateral air intakes, the beautiful light clusters and the deep "V" of the bonnet which underlines the presence of a generous engine, the compact, tapered passenger compartment and the wings which represent the widest point of the body.

The rear end with its horizontal design, speaks the same language as the front: from the curve of the rear window over the rear wheels to the wraparound light clusters, small spoiler and double chromed exhaust tail-pipe that increase the sporty impression.

NCAP 5 Star Safety The profile of the Alfa 159 reminds us that the car's elegance is based on harmonious relations: on one hand the relation between the long bonnet and the compact passenger compartment gives the car prestige, while the ratio between the windows and the sides gives it a sporty personality, highlighted by the compactness of the cabin, an effect created primarily by the pillars (the front pillar set back and the "elbow" shaped rear pillar). The deep slash in the side also emphasises the car's sleekness. Like the external styling, the interior of the Alfa 159, designed by the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, combines superb styling and a sporty personality. Starting with the excellent driving position, which is defined by precise ratios between the pedals, the seat, the steering wheel and the gearbox, evolved to provide maximum control and comfort.

The interior is developed around the driver in the characteristic "cockpit" structure, which incorporates the classic three-spoke steering wheel, the two ribs of the lip, the instruments on the console and the gear lever, achieving continuity between the facia and the console. The uniformity of the stylistic language is also evident in the circular shape of the analogue dials, the air vents, and the buttons and knobs. Even the symbols and graphics conform to the same pattern, and the principle of immediate clarity and easy legibility.

The front passenger seat differs for the uncluttered, enveloping space of the facia which links up with the instrument panel to enhance the sense of roominess and comfort. The supportive, sporty front and rear seats reiterate this idea, painstakingly made with top quality materials, paying great attention to the overstitching, and the traditional detail of the segments and piping. The interior of the new Alfa 159 embodies the balanced combination of elegance and sportiness that is the hallmark of all Alfa Romeo cars. It is underlined by essential, sober, clean lines and superb materials: quality fabrics, precious fine grain leather, aluminium that is cold to touch, and exquisite craftsmanship with the appeal of artisan handiwork.

Roadholding: An entertaining drive and active safety

The new Alfa 159 states that it is an Alfa through and through, by guaranteeing control and entertaining driving that admit no compromise. Travelling comfort and dynamic behaviour have always been hallmarks of Alfa Romeo cars, and they become real strengths on this model. To start with, the Alfa 159 has a very interesting suspension layout, the fruit of a new project that set extremely high standards of excellence: it has "high" double wishbones at the front, and a multilink system at the rear. This means a greater capacity to absorb road roughness, more linearity and precision in response to the steering (the most direct of the standard saloons, with a small turning circle), superb roadholding, maximum stability in high speed manoeuvres and the agility of a true Alfa Romeo on narrow mixed routes. The solutions adopted and the advantages perceived immediately by the motorist are described in detail below.

Front suspension and steering

The new high wishbone layout adopted on the front suspension is the ideal solution to guarantee precise control of wheel movement, with a clearly defined steering axis. The architecture was borrowed from racing and endows the car with outstanding dynamic performance, and extremely sensitive, pinpoint steering. The high double wishbone was already used on the 156 and has been further improved on the new Alfa 159.
First of all, the steering axis was brought closer to the centre of the wheel, increasing the Ackerman level (to increase parallel wheel movement when steering) for better response when cornering, thanks to the steering which is the most direct in its category. The steering of the new Alfa 159 has an excellent ratio (12.7° steer for every degree of wheel steer) which translates into a more direct response for the driver, more responsive steering and better stability control.

What is more, painstaking analysis of the matching of the steering geometry and the wheel arch volume, made it possible to achieve high steering angles even with the largest tyres, and this significantly improved the turning circle between kerbs (11.1 metres).

Great attention was paid to the new wheel upright where it connects to the levers, exploiting the available space inside the rims in full, and this has significant advantages in terms of lateral rigidity; the size of the coaxial damper spring unit has been increased to improve its capacity to absorb road roughness; the aluminium lower wishbone combines excellent structural characteristics and a much lower weight; the upper aluminium arm fits a pair of dry friction sliding bushes, a solution chosen because it is stronger and more reliable, and guarantees a more progressive action.
And finally, the suspension is connected to the chassis by a closed geometry frame which is stiffer than the previous solution which had a simple crossbeam.

Rear suspension

The new Multilink rear suspension allows wheel movement to be controlled in a sophisticated manner, reaching the best possible balance in terms of performance. The system with three levers and a transverse blade highlights the performance of the various components subject to a longitudinal load, to improve the filtering of roughness and under a lateral load, achieving faster responses, enhanced stability and extreme grip.

The rear suspension of the Alfa 159 now features:

A higher anchorage point of the longitudinal link, which is now positioned higher than the centre of the wheel, allowing the suspension to perform a longer, more flexible stroke, with an optimal response when negotiating an obstacle.
The aluminium upright, fitted with a third generation, extremely rigid hub, supports the connection bushes for the camber lever and the longitudinal link.
The bi-tube spring-damper unit is larger than other conventional solutions, this achieves a better compromise between handling and comfort.
The camber link, which allows the static camber to be adjusted and produces a geometry capable of guaranteeing a good camber recovery with wheel shake to ensure that the wheel rests perfectly on the road and wear is thus uniform, even when the car is pushed to the limit.
The rear hydraulic bush guarantees excellent filtering of roughness, and allows the wheel to retract slightly when negotiating an obstacle.
A high yield steel crossbeam isolated from the body shell by four elastic bushes that dampen high frequency vibration.

The Alfa Romeo Q4 four-wheel drive system

The new Alfa 159 proposes an evolution of the permanent 4x4 system with three differentials (with a Torsen C self-locking unit at the centre). The heart of this project is the "Alfa Romeo Q4 four-wheel drive" system which splits torque constantly and dynamically between the four wheels, reaching the highest levels of active safety and sportiness. The Torsen C self-locking differential sends drive torque 57% to the rear wheels and 43% to the front. The system also guarantees excellent traction in all grip conditions by automatically checking slip.

The torque split between the front and rear axles is modulated constantly by the Torsen C central differential on the basis of grip. This feature harnesses sportiness to enhance active safety. Modulation is mechanical, continuous and gradual, to enhance the perception of optimal, enjoyable, easy driving. There are no gaps in the torque delivery. Where grip is concerned, the behaviour adapts gradually and smoothly to changing road conditions. This "mechanical" control is backed up by electronic stability control, which boosts performance and safety margins, in line with the Alfa Romeo philosophy.

The four-wheel drive car is the state of the art in technical terms and offers important advantages:

Q4 permanent four-wheel drive with a Torsen C self-locking differential makes for better roadholding, entertainment and smooth responses. Other technological archetypes with electronically controlled joints do not achieve the optimal balance between understeer and oversteer or the smoothness that are innate in the Alfa 159, and translate into superb active safety.
The torque split in favour of the rear axle makes driving even more entertaining, because it makes the car even easier to handle, without detracting in any way from stability during sudden lane changes on the motorway, or other emergency manoeuvres.
The ability to travel safely in poor grip conditions without the aid of electronics in torque split for constant driving pleasure.

We could say that the Alfa 159 Q4 interprets four-wheel drive from the Alfa Romeo point of view: it is basically a "mechanical" system enhanced by cutting edge electronic technology to guarantee maximum comfort and entertainment, combined with superb performance and absolute safety.

Sophisticated technology for total control

The Alfa 159 adopts the most sophisticated electronic systems to control the car's dynamic behaviour, and to raise the dynamic limits even higher, so that they increase safety but are not intrusive for the driver. The intervention of these devices was studied in simulations and exhausting track tests to ensure that the car is always entertaining to drive. The lavish safety equipment is described below.

ABS complete with EBD

The Alfa 159 features an excellent braking system backed up by the BOSCH 5.7 ABS anti-lock braking device, one of the most advanced on the market. It has four active sensors and a hydraulic control unit with 12 solenoids. The ABS system incorporates Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which distributes the braking effort to the four wheels so that it prevents them from locking, maintaining full control of the car in all conditions. The system also adapts to the grip conditions of the wheels themselves and the efficiency of the brake pads, thus preventing the latter from overheating.

VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control)

VDC is Alfa Romeo's interpretation of ESP (Electronic Stability Program), the system that intervenes when conditions are close to the limit and the car's stability is at risk, to help the driver to control the car. VDC is a sporty device, as you would expect of an Alfa, with excellent roadholding, and lets the driver enjoy total control of the vehicle as long as conditions are normal, only intervening just before the situation becomes critical. The VDC system is always engaged.

On the other hand, MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) intervenes if he changes down suddenly in poor grip conditions, giving torque back to the engine to prevent skidding due to wheel lock. To do this, VDC constantly monitors tyre grip on the road, both longitudinally and laterally, and if it detects a tendency to skid, the system intervenes to recover direction and stability. Sensors measure the rotation of the car around its vertical axis (yaw speed), the lateral acceleration and the steering lock set by the driver (which indicates his chosen direction). It compares these data with the parameters elaborated by an electronic control unit and uses a complex mathematical model to establish whether the car is taking a corner within the grip limits, or if it is about to skid at the front or the rear (understeer or oversteer).

To recover the correct trajectory, the system generates a yaw contrary to the one that is causing the instability, braking the relevant wheel (inside or outside) individually and reducing the engine power (by adjusting the throttle valve). This is the peculiar feature of the device developed by the Alfa Romeo engineers. The brake adjustments are modulated so that they are as smooth as possible (and will not disturb the driver) and the reduction in engine power is also limited, to guarantee excellent performance at all times and superbly enjoyable driving.

VDC performs this complex task by communicating constantly not only with the brake sensors and the engine control unit, but also with:

the "Body computer" which constantly exchanges information with the ABS system, and the control units of the engine and automatic transmission;
the electronic throttle valve (which in turn dialogues with the ABS system);
the instrument panel (active telltales);
the steering wheel and steering column (via the steering sensor);
the gyroscopic sensor installed on the cabin floor to record yaw and lateral acceleration.

ASR (Anti Slip Regulation)

ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) is an integral part of the VDC system, optimising traction at all speeds, assisted by the brakes and the engine control. The device monitors the wheel speed calculated by the ABS sensors to establish the amount of slip and triggers two different control systems to recover grip. When an excessive demand for power causes both drive wheels to slip (for example, aquaplaning or accelerating on an uneven, snow-covered or icy road surface), the system reduces engine torque by decreasing the throttle valve aperture and thus the air flow. If, on the other hand, only one wheel slips (for example the wheel on the inside of the bend, after acceleration or a dynamic change in the load), this wheel is automatically braked without the driver having to touch the bake pedal. The effect is similar to that of a self-locking differential. This gets the Alfa 159 out of any difficulties on surfaces where grip is poor.

ASR is engaged automatically every time the engine is started, but can be excluded by a pushbutton on the central console. ASR must be excluded when snow chains are fitted because in this case, in order to transmit torque to the ground, the wheel needs to be able to "accumulate" the snow, with small slips that the ASR tends to avoid.

HBA and Hill-holder

The safety equipment on the Alfa 159 is completed by the HBA system, the hydraulic electronic hydraulic braking assistant which automatically increases the pressure in the braking circuit during emergency braking. And by the Hill-holder system, which maintains the braking pressure for a few moments after the driver removes his foot from the pedal, to simplify hill starts and prevent the car from slipping backwards.
A new chassis for exceptional torsional rigidity.

The chassis of the Alfa 159 is of a new generation, which combines the latest European experience in the fields of safety, rigidity, innovative materials and quality. The new "premium" floorpan is built with high performance materials, multiply sheet metal and laser welding. From the viewpoint of the architecture, the bodyshell also benefits from numerous measures such as the use of boxed elements that are rigidly connected transversely and vertically, three load lines in the front, longitudinals that run the whole length of the car, built-in structures and a larger number of spot welds around structural nodes. The result is the bodyshell's excellent torsional rigidity, the best in this segment: over 180,000 daNm/rad.

This is an excellent result, and it is essential for both safety and comfort; it was achieved thanks to numerous measures that ensure that the passenger compartment of the new model is a real survival cell. It is no chance that the Alfa 159 has passed the tests set by the strictest criteria of European and U.S. standards.

Airbags and new restraint systems

The Alfa 159 features innovative restraint systems (pretensioners on the clasp and decreasing load limiters on the seat belts) and front seats with an "anti-whiplash" device which brings the head restraint nearer to the occupant's neck in the event of rear impact. But the new model really stands out for its array of airbags: all versions of the Alfa 159 are available with up to eight airbags (seven are always standard equipment). First of all, two new devices designed to protect the driver's knees (and those of the passenger on request), by preventing any contact with the facia, guaranteeing the highest safety levels.

Added to this are two dual stage front airbags, for the driver (with a capacity of 60 litres) and the passenger (120 litres). They are controlled by an electronic control unit on the tunnel, which assesses the intensity of the impact by sensors calibrated in the laboratory in a series of crash tests. The system incorporates a diagnostic system that verifies the components electronically, and these are tested by a computer that monitors their operation constantly. The airbags are not activated by low intensity accidents (such as a rear bump or one caused by a parking manoeuvre) or stress not caused by a collision (e.g. a hole in the road taken at speed). The front passenger bag can be deactivated manually by a switch at the extreme left side of the facia using the ignition key, to allow a child seat to be mounted facing backwards (the pretensioner remains active).

To protect the pelvis and chest of front seat passengers in a side-on collision, the Alfa 159 provides two sidebags built into the squab of the front seats, where they protect the occupants better, regardless of their stature, position or seat adjustment. The geometry also allows a 12 litre cushion to be used, smaller than would be necessary to guarantee the same level of protection if the airbag were mounted in the door. The sensors that activate these airbags are in the central pillars. In the event of an accident, they receive a signal of lateral acceleration and send it to the electronic control unit that controls the front airbags and seat belt pretensioners. All the systems are managed together to ensure total, smooth protection of all the occupants.

The Alfa 159 also fits curtain bags designed to inflate downwards along the windows, to protect occupants' heads in a side-on collision. The curtain bags adopted on the new model are more protective than other systems because they inflate faster and are less invasive for passengers. They open from the top down and their movement cannot cause secondary injury to the occupants' arms. They also effectively protect the heads of both front and rear passengers because they cover the whole window and guarantee protection even if the car overturns. The two bags (one for the left and one for the right) are positioned underneath the roof longitudinals, folded into a closed compartment. At the opportune moment, the cover folds, allowing the bags to inflate and descend. The new model also features a mechanism that releases the pedals in a frontal impact, to protect the legs.

Powerful, flexible engines that respect the environment

The Alfa 159 is equipped with three petrol and three turbodiesel engines, all combined with new mechanical six-speed gearboxes, with short strokes, precise engagement and low loads. After the launch, automatic transmissions and a Selespeed robotised gearbox will also be available on some versions, all with six speeds. The 3.2 JTS (260 bhp), 2.2 JTS (185 bhp) and 1.9 JTS (160 bhp) were developed to respect the brief from the Alfa Romeo engineers and represent the brand's interpretation of the direct injection petrol engine, which translates into enjoyable driving and high performance for the customer. The three engines adopt the direct injection JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) combustion system, which produces brilliant engine performance. The 3 engines deliver the quality one expects from Alfa Romeo, having been fine tuned on the Balocco test track, while final assembly takes place in the Alfa plant in Pomigliano. All the JTS engines obviously meet Euro 4 limits.

The Alfa 159 is also available with three Multijet turbodiesel engines which guarantee excellent power and torque deliveries in all driving conditions, combined with low fuel consumption:

1.9 16v JTDM (150 bhp)
2.4 20v JTDM (200 bhp)

They are all combined with 6-speed gearboxes (including the automatic transmission that will be available on the 150 bhp 1.9 JTDM after the launch), true jewels of automotive engineering that confirm Fiat Auto's supremacy in this field. When it developed the Multijet system, the Fiat Group set its stamp on the diesel engine market. The three Multijet engines of the Alfa 159 obviously respect Euro 4 limits, and incorporate a DPF (particulate trap) that eliminates fine dust in line with the limits currently envisaged for future Euro 5 legislation. It is a "for life" system that does not need to be regenerated with additives, and will be eligible for tax incentives.