News August 6 2006

Alfa 159 Sportwagon launches in Australia

Alfa Australia have very quietly launched their wagon version of the new 159- the 159 Sportwagon – in Australia. It replaces the 156 Sportwagon. Here is the information on the new model from Alfa Romeo Australia

Alfa Romeo’s revitalization of its Australian range has continued with the arrival of the Alfa 159 Sportwagon just a month after the launch of the acclaimed Alfa 159 sports sedan and Brera Coupe and it delivers a unique combination of style and versatility in what has been described as the best looking wagon available in Australia.

Replacing the Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon, itself praised for its stylish versatility, the 159 Sportwagon continues the reputation of its predecessor with styling that is easily a match for its sedan counterpart, while also offering the versatility of a fifth door, the flexibility of rear seats that fold down in a variety of combinations and an interior that has been designed with a host of features to maximize ease of use.

As pioneered in the previous Sportwagon and copied by other car makers, the fifth door on the 159 Sportwagon opens into the roof and does not just open the rear of the 159 to gain access. This means that the rear door can offer a generous opening, while at the same time allow an almost Coupe-like flowing conclusion to the styling of the Sportwagon that starts so elegantly at the front of the car.

The sporting lines and compact dimensions of the new Alfa 159 Sportwagon belie a surprisingly spacious, flexible interior. The new car has a wheelbase 105 mm longer than its predecessor, significantly improving both front and rear passenger legroom.

Moreover, despite being lower than the Alfa 156 Sportwagon, the new Alfa Romeo offers improved front and rear door access and an increase in interior headroom, particularly in the rear.

The Alfa 159 Sportwagon offers 445 litres of loadspace below the retractable luggage cover. The 60:40 split/folding rear seat features an integral armrest and ski hatch, and allows for the rapid expansion of the luggage compartment into a robust, practical, flat-floored load platform offering 850 litres of stowage below the window line, and an impressive 1235 litres overall.

The new Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon differs in one very significant area from its predecessor and that is it will match its sedan counterpart version for version across the entire drivetrain range. This means that from launch there will be a choice of three engines all with six speed manual gearboxes.

---

The Engine

Two new direct injection petrol engines – 2.2 litre 136 kW 4-cylinder unit and a 3.2 litre 191 kW V6 – combine the JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) direct injection technology of Alfa Romeo with continuously variable valve timing, (both inlet and exhaust), for the first time.

With specific power outputs of between 60 and 62 kW/litre, and almost 90% of maximum torque available at just 2000 rpm, all both new JTS units boast outstanding performance, yet offer significant fuel savings and readily comply with stringent Euro 4 exhaust emission regulations.

From launch the 159 Sportwagon will be available with the 2.4 litre 20 valve 147 kW 5-cylinder JTD turbo diesel engine powerplant, featuring the company’s renowned JTD MultiJet common rail direct injection systems and exemplify the company’s on-going pre-eminence in the field of diesel technology

The JTD unit also features variable geometry turbocharging, and incorporate a ‘for life’, maintenance-free particulate trap (DPF) in anticipation of Euro 5 emissions regulations.

All three launch engines are mated to smooth, precise 6-speed manual gearboxes. In early 2007, the 2.2 JTS engine will be available with the Alfa Romeo Selespeed sequential manual gearbox and the 2.4 JTD and 3.2 V6 JTS will offer as an option the new Alfa Romeo Q-Tronic automatic gearbox.

Page I 1 I 2 I