Sharp gets sharper: Alfa 159 ti
The Alfa Romeo 159 is arguably the most beautiful sedan on the market, but Alfa's raising the stakes with the new ti package. The sporty trim-level will be formally unveiled at next year's Geneva show, but we've got the details for you a little early.
The Turismo Internazionale label is an historic designation for Alfa Romeo, going back all the way to the 1963 Giulia ti Super, carrying on through the Alfasud ti and on to today as the highest sport trim-level on several Alfa models. The 159 ti is positioned against the S-Line and M-Sport packages from rivals Audi and BMW respectively, offering upgraded wheels and brakes together with sportier trim inside and out.
Outside, the 159 ti gets a new body kit, stiffer suspension lowered by 20mm, and red Brembo calipers peering out from behind 19-inch alloy rims. There's also the option of either aluminum-finish or body-colored side mirrors, an upgraded exhaust and the requisite badging to go along with it all. Inside the cabin are sports seats, a dark-tinted aluminum center console, aluminum pedals, door-sill panels, a revised instrument panel, red-stitched black leather wheel and shifter, plus all the electric goodies. The ti trim level is positioned above the Basic, Progression, Distinctive and Exclusive models and can be had on a wide range of drivetrain models.
Just in case US buyers needed any more reason to anxiously await Alfa's return to American shores.
More images after the jump.
[Source: Italiaspeed]
Click on the image above for higher-resolution version.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sspiro 10:58PM (10/13/2008)
Ti: build quality up there with a real benz. design a cut above mazerati. performance of the deisal 2.4 mind boggling roar. this is no tractor. equipment here in Oz too good to count. amazing value and keep in mind alfa build is now run by ze garmens. leaves benz, beemer, audi, lexus for ded. dee ee dee.
can be improved. front end design needs reworking. i note the similarity with the new lancer. the alfa wins no problem but that front end of the lancer is deserving of the 159. Perfection!
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Bill Maher is an Idiot 5:45PM (11/16/2006)
Looks-wise, it beats a BMW.
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Erolb 5:44PM (11/16/2006)
Beautiful.. but in the UK particularly the depreciation is shocking.
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Aaron B 6:00PM (11/16/2006)
Wow, that shift boot is hideous. Otherwise, a very very sexy car.
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Tal D 7:26PM (11/16/2006)
Incredibly gorgeous automobiles from Alfa.
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Christian 6:29PM (11/16/2006)
Great looking car, but it drives like a Taurus, well at least the regular-old-not-so-fancy-pants version did. In the hills of Tuscany, that is not exactly the feel I was going for. Damn near killed all of us. Shouldn't Italian cars ride well on Italian roads?
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Thomas 7:24AM (11/17/2006)
Yeah, the interior is a bit lacking, especially considering the exterior... and there is a reason the depreciation is horrendous - alfas aren't exactly known for their reliability or quality
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WRC05 6:39PM (11/16/2006)
So beautiful, not so much on the inside tho.
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steve 6:51PM (11/16/2006)
unless its got more horsepower than the competition it goes nowhere in this country-
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Spots 7:42PM (11/16/2006)
Bah. It's one of the most gorgeous sedans- inside and out- I've seen since the original Jaguar XJ models. Can't wait to see them in the US!
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Tal D 7:49PM (11/16/2006)
#s 1,4,6 Did not realize quality, depreciation and HP were negatives.
Good for future reference,possibly.
Thx
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DPC car videos 8:05PM (11/16/2006)
Wow that a nice lookinf car, I would totaly get this if it ever makes it to the US.
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Brooksie 8:26PM (11/16/2006)
Fugly inside
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pauln 8:56PM (11/16/2006)
I'm anxiously awaiting Alfa's return to RWD. Sorry, a FWD Alfa is heresy to me; call me old fashioned. I might be in for a long wait.
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Tiago do Vale 9:35PM (11/16/2006)
13# ...and a long time has passed, already.
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Wyce 10:57PM (11/16/2006)
Great looker, but the interior seems cheap.
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Christopher Groves 7:53AM (11/17/2006)
QUOTED FROM: #4. Great looking car, but it drives like a Taurus, well at least the regular-old-not-so-fancy-pants version did. In the hills of Tuscany, that is not exactly the feel I was going for. Damn near killed all of us. Shouldn't Italian cars ride well on Italian roads?
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I've never drivin a Taurus that handled the curves in Sestriere like the car was stuck on rails! Last April, I rented one and it was not a sport model, it was a 1.9 jdi. I kept thinking to myself that Americans wouldn't like it because it was too sporty for their tastes. Personally, I cannot wait til they start selling in the States again, where do I sign up?
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Richard Warren 8:22AM (11/17/2006)
Can't wait till they make their return to the US.
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HotRod 9:16AM (11/17/2006)
One of these was shown on "The Bachelor" the other night, one of the sluts got out of one to meet up with the latest Playa. It was the best part of the show. Except for the sluts in the hot tubs of course...
The 159 was probably a standard model but it was black and looked great on camera.
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MikeW 10:23PM (11/17/2006)
Damn 235/40 19 are a bit extreme.
Let AlfaRomeo get 300hp from a transverse mounted high feature 3.6 liter direct injection engine, a nice 6 speed stick or 6T70 and their torsen3 drivetrain-sounds like a plan.
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