Positioned alongside sister brands Ferrari and Maserati, all focus at Alfa Romeo’s elite stand at this year’s Frankfurt IAA (which runs until 25 September) is directed towards the Alfa 159 and Brera sports coupé. Both models, which share Alfa Romeo’s new style from Italdesign-Giugiaro, were successfully unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March to an unforeseeably huge crowd of journalists and industry professionals.

Since then, journalists have had the opportunity to experience the Alfa 159 saloon first hand at various media events across Europe. Despite this, it is the Frankfurt IAA which represents the first time that multiple interior trims and accessories can be inspected by the public at a major motor show.

Alfa 159

No fewer than four Alfa 159’s are present at the Frankfurt show, finished in Alfa Silver, Rubino Red, Titanio Grey and Black. All cars are fitted with the high-specification Poltrona Frau ‘pieno fiore’ fine leather interior, a material normally associated with super-luxury cars such as the models available from Maserati. Each car was fitted with 18” alloy wheels, and a high specification trim level including tri-zone air-conditioning, electrically adjustable seats, navigation, voice recognition telephone and xenon headlights.

The top-of the range example on display is the Alfa 159 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 finished in Rubino Red. This particular version has four-wheel drive, and is equipped with the brand-new 260 bhp 3.2 V6 JTS 24-valve Twin Phaser engine.

The single 2.2 JTS example which is presented, marks perhaps the most significant Alfa 159 on the show floor. The car, finished in understated Titanio Grey with natural leather, presents an ultra high-trim interior specification with its grey and natural leather duotone dashboard. A classical, inconspicuous colour combination, set-off by the fabulous stitched detailing of the dashboard and door panels, makes this Alfa 159 truly special. It is worth noting that this stylish dashboard trim was not presented at Geneva, and removes the hard feel of the standard dashboard – as with all new cars, engineered for recycling. The 2.2 JTS engine, delivering 185 bhp at 6500 rpm, is set to become the most popular petrol model from the Alfa 159 range.

Alongside the two petrol engined JTS models displayed, two 2.4 JTDM examples represented the expansive diesel range.  One of these cars – perhaps the most photogenic of all the Alfa 159’s at the show – is finished in striking Alfa Silver. This sharp and fresh hue perfectly matches the quick, no-nonsense lines of the new executive luxury sports saloon, presenting its form in a sculptural fashion. The other 2.4 JTDM is finished in Black, and is a shade which looks absolutely stunning on the Alfa 159 outdoors in natural light. This car takes centre stage, in front of a huge banner pronouncing that a new breed of Alfa has arrived.

Next to the Alfa 159 is a classic 1963 Giulia TI from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese, Milan. This particular car gives a quick glance at Alfa Romeo’s glorious past, and is a model that really lies in the heart of German car enthusiasts due to its superior racing heritage at the Nürburgring during the ‘60s and ‘70s. It is this historical car which Alfa Romeo perceives as the spiritual predecessor to the Alfa 159. As with the Alfa 147, 156 and 166, the TI (Turismo Internazionale) badge lives on as a trim level available for the Alfa 159.

It is the Alfa 159 which will spearhead Alfa Romeo’s attack towards gaining business in the professional auto market, providing a genuine alternative to the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo 60 Series.
 

Leaving off from the successful and beautiful Alfa 156, the Alfa 159 aims to improve over its predecessor in terms of size, comfort, performance, handling and safety. Furthermore, the car has been engineered for the environment, with its EURO 4 diesel engines and extensive use of recyclable materials.

Models alongside Alfa 159

Alongside the Alfa 159 at the Frankfurt IAA is the handsome Alfa 166 2.4 JTDM – a car that made its facelift debut at the Frankfurt show just two years ago. This represents Alfa Romeo’s flagship saloon, despite sharing the same 2.700 mm wheelbase as the Alfa 159.  The handsome car will unfortunately be discontinued next year, with certain models only currently available as stock. Nevertheless, the Alfa 166 at present embodies one of the last chances to acquire a luxury Alfa saloon with the ‘classic’ 3.2 V6 engine, and in that respect alone it is a car worthy of appreciation by the connoisseur. The Alfa 166 will be replaced in 2008 (or later) by a new high-end model which will be much larger than the current car.

Another model which the Alfa 159 slightly puts in the shade is the Crosswagon Q4, a car that was unveiled last year. Despite being based on the Alfa 159’s predecessor, the Alfa 156 Sportwagon (itself a design-classic), the Crosswagon is a unique car in the Alfa Romeo range. It offers the off-road capability of an SUV, with the on-road stability expected from an Alfa Romeo sports car. This model will continue in production alongside the Alfa 159, and with its good quality (rated above the new BMW X3 by respected European auto journalists) and good-value for money, it will remain an interesting and stylish alternative for the discerning Alfa Romeo customer.

Not present at the Frankfurt IAA is the Alfa 159 Sportwagon, a car that will certainly overlap the Crosswagon Q4 in terms of looks and equipment. This particular model is expected at the Bologna Motor Show in December.

Alfa Brera

Certainly the show-stopper on the Alfa Romeo stand is the Alfa Brera 3.2 JTS Q4 sports coupé. This 2+2 coupé, a production version of the Italdesign-Giugiaro Brera concept, is marketed by Alfa Romeo as the “Unique Sports Coupé”. It is certainly such a car, with hardly any direct competition at all. Its innovative 2-box shape, with its glass hatchback and foldable rear bench, gives the Brera a practical edge over its contemporaries. Finished in Alfa Red, the Brera present at Frankfurt is fitted with 18” cross spoke alloy wheels – a design refreshingly different over the multispoke or starfish patterns fitted to most modern sports cars. The luxurious and stylish interior is lightened by the glass panorama roof, giving an exciting and expensive feel to the already stunning design. Real aluminium is used for the door grabs, which are fastened in a no-nonsense sporty fashion by exposed hexagonal bolts. The Alfa Brera is different to its GT sister in terms of sportivity: the GT provides more rear legroom, and comes over as a far softer and more cosseting Gran Turismo. The Brera, on the other hand, is more exclusive and personal. In other words, the Brera is the perfect replacement to the Alfa GTV, a much loved sports car which went out of production earlier this year.

A range of alloy wheel designs and colours were presented behind the Brera on the Alfa Romeo stand, which furthermore underlined the model’s exclusive philosophy. The Alfa Romeo Brera will be available from winter this year at dealerships across Europe.

Despite initial belief that the Brera Spider would make an appearance at Frankfurt (it was backstage at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance to gauge US dealer reception), the two seater soft-top, to be built and badged by Pininfarina, will most likely make its official debut at the Bologna Motor Show in December.