Sharp gets sharper: Novitec Alfa Romeo 159
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If Novitec's mods to the sublime Ferrari F430 struck you as overkill, you might want to take a look at another one of its creations, focusing on a car ever-so-slightly more in need of the tuning house's attention.
The Alfa Romeo 159 is hailed as one of the most beautiful automobiles on the road today, but critics lament its shortcomings in performance. Autodelta, the premier tuning house for Alfas, offers an array of enhancements, but Novitec's catalogue offers what looks to be a compelling alternative. By installing its Powerrail III engine control system, Novitec coaxes an extra 29 horsepower out of the 159's common-rail diesel engine, bringing total output up to a very respectable 229 hp, aided by a custom stainless steel exhaust system. The German tuning outfit also offers a full aerodynamic package including front spoiler, side skirts and rear spoiler, as well as a sport suspension adjustable in stiffness and in height from 35mm to 75mm. Rounding out the package are Novitec's Type N9 20-inch forged alloys skinned with 30-series Pirelli rubber.
In transforming the sumptuous 159 into a precision instrument, Novitec and Alfa Romeo offer an enticing package that's enough to make buyers forget all about the letters B-M-W.
[Source: Novitec via World Car Fans ]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Don 3:52PM (4/19/2007)
Well, if that thing's putting out 229 horsepower, it's gotta be putting out some serious torque as well.
Alfas are seriously lovely.
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Don 3:53PM (4/19/2007)
Beautiful...and diesel torque to boot!
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Dandy 3:56PM (4/19/2007)
I've got a fever... and the only prescription is more headlights.
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Jonathan 4:18PM (4/19/2007)
The Alfa 159 is seriously the most beautiful vehicle in production.
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BOB 4:27PM (4/19/2007)
-- SOMEBODY TURN ME ON TO A GOOD JOB OPPORTUNITY IN ITALY, PLEASE!!!
Eating Italian food every day, and driving through the amazing countryside it this car would make me very happy.
Can I order one without the wing spoiler that makes the car look like an old Maxima, though?
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Baapo 4:42PM (4/19/2007)
All cars should look this good...you seriously haven't lived till you've owned an Alfa...Bellissimo...
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me and enzo rolling in the benzo 5:27PM (4/19/2007)
"most beautiful" ??
Looks like an acura TSX with a different grill and odd headlights.
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Chocolate Wolf 5:33PM (4/19/2007)
...ugly.
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Gregg W. 6:06PM (4/19/2007)
...sort of like a Subaru Tribeca Sports Sedan. I can respect the "bold styling cues" up front, but looks like the design team took a nap when they got to the rear...If you're going to be the evil-weevil up front, follow through...
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drew 9:16PM (4/19/2007)
she is a sexy one...how much and why cant i get one in Jersey
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Ken 9:44PM (4/19/2007)
Ugly, anyone who thinks Alfa is ugly has no taste.......Acura and Subaru have been copying Alfa for years!!! Acura's interior is a total knockoff of Alfa, and Tribeca's front and back are knockoff of Alfa as well. When comes to design, no one come to close to these Italians, it's in their blood.
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Shiftright 1:55PM (5/14/2008)
So true...I always liked the TSX, but it looks like a harder edged Alfa 156.
Atomicbri 10:47PM (4/19/2007)
I agree Ken, obviously the responders saying it looks like a TSX or Subaru or anything Japanese have not followed Alfa Romeo cars in like 8 or 9 years. Alfa for quite a few years now have had these shape rear tail lights. I wish they would sell em here cause the design is sooo elegant and yet in your face menacing. I laugh when I read such ignorant comments....research first if you want an intellegent response in the blog... the Alfa 156 sported those tail lamps and that debuted in 1996!
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Carletti 11:27PM (4/19/2007)
Asians copy Europeans...that's why Acura's, Lexus', the front end of the Scion tC, and most recently the new Mitsubishi Lancer/EVO, can pass for prestigious names like BMW and Alfa Romeo to the non-discerning automobile fan. This 159 seriously looks awesome, what with those chiseled good-looks, the raging and forward-leaning stance, and the perfect proportions on this car. This is how Mitsubishi should've, correctly, copied the 159's rear on the new Lancer/EVO.
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riDuh7 2:35AM (4/20/2007)
Doesn't anyone see the new Lancer Evo... a bit?
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zoldfulu 4:40AM (4/20/2007)
The reason why the 159 may remind to the Tribeca is that Subaru took one of the chief designers of Alfa Romeo, Mr. Zapatinas, who was in charge of the weird design of the Tribeca. While to aggressive ugliness of the Brera may be excused for an italian car (and I am instictly looking for comaprisons with agresive predators of the wilderness), the Tribeca looks too much of a deep sea lifeform, I found nothing really cool or agressive in its design. It lost both the genes of the italian design, and the reserved sprtyness of the Subarus (and I do love the Legacy eg.). The EU Accord (sold as Acura in the US) was indeed like a car that you would expect from Alfa, if they would have went a different way in the 90s (i.e. modern instead of the retro 156). In a way Honda anticipated the 159. Still that Accord/Acura was closer to an "Alfa" in its design, than to a Honda, (at least compared to the previous Honda designs). The 159's design was long time presented in the Brera study though, pretty much when (or even before) the Accord/Acura came out.
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turbo101 12:54AM (4/23/2007)
nice i like front ... back is remind me of new lexus IS
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John 8:31AM (1/17/2008)
Well I have just p/x my 3 series coupe for a 159 1.9 lusso,carbonio black with red leather and its so much nicer a car to be seen in. I am just waiting to get it re chipped to 195 bhp and then it will have the perfect balance between economy ,power and balance(I felt the 2.4 felt too front heavy and oversteered on corners.OK so in 3 years it will have depreciated more than a beemer but what fun I will have in those 3 years not driving around in the same default small executive car as everyone else.
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