At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo unveiled numerous major developments heralding the re-launch of the brand on the global stage. Protagonist of the event was the new Alfa Romeo 159 (saloon and Sportwagon versions). The new 159 is designed to express a sporting yet seductive personality and boasts road holding and performance that set new standards for this class of car. Two new engines in particular (a 200 HP, 1750 cc turbocharged petrol engine and a 170 HP 2.0 JTDM diesel) place the Alfa Romeo 159 firmly in market segment D, in the power range that accounts for over half of Alfa Romeo sales.

Under their fascinating and highly personal exterior, all Alfa Romeos offer a choice of superb engines, all packed with the latest technology and bursting with performance. Alfa Romeo engines are the perfect embodiment of the sporting soul that has always set the marque apart from the competition. The Alfa Romeo 159 is certainly no exception. Starting from April 2009, the new 159 will be available with a brand new engine: a 1750 cc turbocharged petrol engine that conforms to Euro 5 standards and develops 200 HP between 4,750 and 5,500 rpm with 320 Nm of torque at only 1,400 rpm.

The new 1750 cc turbo petrol engine (manufactured by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies) comes combined with a six speed manual gearbox and boasts advanced ignition control solutions including direct fuel injection, two continuously variable valve timing units, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system. The resulting performance is comparable to – or better than – that of many 3 litre engines while still delivering fuel consumption typical of a compact four cylinder unit.

The force behind the development of any Alfa Romeo engine is the company’s determination to use technology to enhance driving pleasure. This certainly applies to the development of the new, Euro 5, “1750 Turbo Benzina 200 CV” unit destined immediately for the Alfa Romeo 159 and later on for the Alfa Romeo Brera, Spider and 159 Sportwagon.

This engine takes the Alfa Romeo 159, with its refined Italian styling and typical sporting elegance to an impressive top speed of 235 kph and accelerates it from 0 to 100 kph in just 7.7 seconds. The 200 HP Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi is therefore a true representative of Alfa’s exclusive motoring lifestyle. Far from being a mere ‘means of transport’, the new 159 is a real driver’s car. It delivers genuine sports performance and muscular acceleration thanks to generous torque and smooth response even at low revs and the extended power band of a modern, advanced petrol engine that minimises the need for you to ‘work’ the gearbox. The engine sound too is inspiring without ever becoming tiresome.

2010 Alfa Romeo 159 Sedan
It's been a long time since Alfa Romeo last took to the land of the free, and it's a hard sell to get buyers to snap up cars from what feels like a brand-new company. To put those worries at ease, the Italian automaker is set to introduce the 159 Sedan as its first new model on this side of the Atlantic. With its sights set dead on the BMW 3-Series, the car boasts a direct-injection 260 horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine, dynamic styling and standard all-wheel drive.
Availability: Late 2009
Price: Starts at around $34,000