Alfa 159 Sportwagon 1750

What‘s it? It’s Alfa Romeo’s 3-series and A4 rival, given a brand new injection of poke. Or rather, a brand new direct injection of poke, thanks to some new powerplant that promises to become a mainstay from the Italian firm’s entire range over subsequent couple of years. The 1750 TBi unit has turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing among its technical arsenal. During this 159 Sportwagon, this unit produces 197bhp from just 1742cc. More tellingly, additionally musters 236lb ft from just 1400rpm. That’s enough, claims Alfa, to bring the 159 wagon from 0-62mph in 7. 9sec, as well as on to some maximum of 146mph. What’s more, CO2 emissions of 194g / km mean the 1750 TBi is several bands lower in company car tax compared to the old 2. 2 JTS petrol model. And you simply need to service it every 21, 000 miles. What’s it like? All the impressive stats could be meaningless when the new powerplant had glaring weak spots in its torque curve, or if this proved thrashy. But actually it’s quite the other ; the 236lb ft does arrive commendably low, but you are able to rev the unit over to 5500rpm before it begins to tighten. The torque curve feels extremely flat, offering excellent throttle response in any one of the gearbox’s six ratios. Refinement is excellent ; even if you opt to flirt using the red line, the 1750 remains smooth and removed from unpleasant in tone. And when you’re at motorway cruising speeds it just fades straight into the background, despite a relatively short sixth gear that equates to 3000rpm in sixth at a quick motorway pace. The 159’s chassis isn‘t any spring chicken, but it’s capable enough to carry its own. The steering is direct and reasonably communicative, and body roll is well contained ; given an empty, smooth, flowing cross-country route, there’s fun to become had here. The spec is relatively generous too ; our range-topping TI test car costs a whisker over £26k, but for the you will get heated sports leather seats, sports suspension, 19in wheels, a sports steering wheel, Brembo brake calipers, rain, dusk and condensation sensors and Bluetooth connectivity. The 1750 lives as much as the promise shown during its continental launch last summer, therefore, but popular 159 foibles do remain ; the ride, while generally composed, could get just a little thrashy over large potholes – although the suspension and wheels upon the T1 probably didn’t help in this region. The fascia is stylish, with deep-cowled instrument dials and excellent flourishes of aluminium trim, but Alfa’s stock of black plastic does the remainder of the front cabin few favours. And though the gearbox is slick once it’s warmed up, it’s a little nuggety on the cold winter morning. Boot capacity is in need of the C-class estate, A4 Avant and 3-series Touring too, and rear legroom remains briefly supply. Should I buy one? Minor idiosyncrasies mean the 159 will likely remain the selection of the individual inside a market dominated from the relentlessly mainstream Audi, Mercedes and BMW. But using this motor, Italy’s contender has probably never made this type of compelling case for itself. If you’re following a slightly left-field choice, It‘s real appeal. John McIlroy Alfa 159 Sportwagon 1750