Alfa Romeo 159 Ti Sportwagon now in Malta – Review by  Hugh Arnett

 

The marque Alfa Romeo is synonymous with gloriously sporting vehicles, but when one delves into the past history of the firm many readers will be unaware that the great Enzo Ferrari drove for the firm.  His win at the Savio circuit in Ravenna in 1924 in a 3.6 litre car so impressed the parents of fighter ace Francesco Baracca that they presented Ferrari with the badge that their [late] son had on his fighter plane, This was a prancing horse on a yellow background.  This badge became the symbol of the Scuderia Ferrari of Alfa Romeo racing cars and then on Ferrari’s own cars when he started as a manufacturer after World War 2.

 

Although the 159 makes a good ‘sports racing’ car and is used by enthusiasts on many circuits abroad the Sportwagon has not been designed to race.  It does however carry the prestigious ‘Ti’ badge, which was first seen in 1950 to denote Tourismo Internationale, and has been used on Alfas to denote a version with all the attributes that an enthusiast requires.

 

This car has a wonderfully aggressive look about it.  ‘Masculine’, in an almost abstract way, and yet once behind the wheel the balance and ease with which the car can be put through its paces soon makes it apparent that this is no niche market special.  Men and women can drive it confident in the supreme road holding, and its docile ‘manners’ when being driven through the narrow streets of many of our local towns, as well as the short time lapse in reaching well above our local maximum of 50mph.  In fact the 2.4 litre diesel I had on the road wafts up to 62mph [100km/h] in 8.6 seconds and tops 135mph if the driver is in a bit of a hurry.  Of course in reality one should expect no less with 210bhp under the right foot.

 

The ‘Ti’ has a modified body kit with black leather and dark furnishings highlighted by red stitches. Electrically operated sports seats grip in all the right places and the three rear occupants are of course carried in comfort, relative for the middle seat passenger, and with a degree of safety that I expect from all Alfas as a matter of course. 

 

Following usual practice ‘hands off’ braking was done on Ta’ Qali with no trouble from 60mph, and I was pleased to note that the ABS effect only came into play late in the braking cycle.  The steering was very quick and accurate, tested by violent directional changes, and although there was noticeable roll the car was rock steady with the new multi link rear suspension coping with precision, no matter how rough I was on the steering.

 

Passive safety is taken care of with the generous use of air bags, state-of-the art seat belts and a passenger cage that has been totally engineered to cope with those unpleasant incidents when another vehicle has slammed into the front, back or side of the Sportwagon.

 

Active safety in fact takes much of the ‘fear’ out of getting into a potential scrape as the road holding, braking efficiency, and complete control of the dynamics is taken care of with ABS being linked to EBD, VDC an anti slip ASR system and the HBA system which comes into play in emergency braking, and put to the test on the steepest hill I could find the ‘Hill Holder’.  This makes for an easier start on even the steepest hills.

 

The 2.4 JTDm 5 cylinder engine has a massive 400Nm of torque [pulling power] available, which means that in less than enthusiastic motoring great acceleration is on tap, even in 3^rd gear from ridiculously low speeds, and the use of 6^th gear was really a bit of a show off, although absolutely perfect for excellent fuel consumption at 50mph.  This engine is fully compliant with EURO 4 regulations, which means that emissions are kept remarkably low.

 

Anyone who prefers an automatic gear change can opt for the 6 speed innovative 6 speed Q-Tronic which I am assured provides as exciting a ride as the manual change.

 

The Sportwagon appears to be, at first glance a bigger car than the 159, but this is, in the two most vital dimensions an illusion.  Both cars are 4,660mm long and 1,828 mm wide, but the sportwagon is a trifle taller, 1,422 mm as compared with 1,417mm.  This car bears the handprint of Giorgetto Giugiaro, this time working with the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, and I think the entire package to be entirely inspired.

 

The Sportwagon, even with the rear seats in place has 40 litres more capacity than the 159.  The rear seats split 40:60 and fold forward incorporating an integral, movable armrest and a ski hatch.  This boosts the boot capacity from a 445 litre ‘hold’ to 850 litres below the window line and 1235 litres overall.

 

As an entirely satisfactory package the Sportwagon is in a class of its own.  I would happily own it to make use of on extended holidays abroad.   It is after all a fact that now we are in the Euro zone, and travel to Italy has become ever easier that more and more Maltese drivers, utterly bemused by ever decreasing legal speeds on our very well made modern roads, that were, when in absolutely foul condition legally used at 80km/h, now carry speed limits ranging from 50 through 60 to 70km/h on both the Tal-Barrani road and route 1 from Hal Far to the airport, and in all probability by the time you read this even more of our exciting new roads will have been confidently rationalised to the same, or even lower speeds. I would suggest that you thank your motoring ‘Gods’ that the Sportwagon with diesel engines gives a most comfortable and effortless ride at even the lowest speeds that experts within the ADT have deemed fit for our apparently incompetent motoring classes.

 

AT A GLANCE

 

Engine 2.4 litre, 5 cylinders in line with 20 valves.  Develops 210bhp and 400Nm of torque.

6-speed gearbox. 0-62mph [100km/h] 8.6 seconds.  Maximum speed 135mph.

Load capacity 1835 litres.

 

Will she fit into your garage? Length, 4660mm.  Width, 1828mm.  Height, 1422mm.

 

Hugh Arnett

 

(AROC Malta April 2008)