Alfa Romeo will display two of the most acclaimed new cars in the world, the Alfa Romeo 159 and the Alfa Romeo Brera, at the Brisbane International Motor Show (3-12 March 2006) prior to their Australian launch later this year, along with the living proof that performance and diesel economy can go hand in hand, with the Alfa Romeo 147 JTD. "The Alfa Romeo display at the Brisbane International Motor Show will provide further proof of the depth and breadth of Alfa Romeo design, styling and technology expertise," says David Stone, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia. "On one hand there will be the supreme styling of the Brera and 159, supported by technology than will ensure they perform as well as they look. On the other hand there is the unique blend of performance and economy provided by the new Alfa Romeo 147 JTD, fitted with one of the most advanced turbo diesel engines in the world and housed in another Alfa Romeo acclaimed for its styling and beauty."

Due to go on sale in Australia in the middle of 2006, the Alfa Romeo 159 is the first of a whole family of new Alfa Romeo cars that will arrive over the next two years and which includes the acclaimed Alfa Romeo Brera. The Alfa Romeo 147 JTD is the first diesel Alfa Romeo to be offered in Australia and is the forerunner of a diesel push by Alfa that will see most models in the range offer a diesel variant within the next two years. Also featured on the Alfa Romeo stand at the Brisbane Motor Show will be the Alfa Romeo 147 Ti, a new sporting variant of the 147. "This year will be the busiest for Alfa Romeo in Australia since the brand returned in 1998," says David Stone, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia. "Replacing the Alfa 156, one of the most successful Alfa Romeos of all time, will be tough task, but 159 developed the unique style of the 156, added more features and performance and will offer versions that have not previously been available in Australia. It is ideally positioned, therefore, to exceed the sales performance of the Alfa 156 and find its own place in the record books."

Born from Alfa's long, acknowledged experience in the production of prestigious sports saloons, the Alfa 159 is the result of innovative design and technology developed by an international team that has succeeded in combining performance and formerly irreconcilable targets - extremely entertaining driving, outstanding performance and distinctive styling - with outstanding levels of safety, comfort and build quality, without compromise.
 

Alfa Romeo, a name which has always been synonymous with performance and style, now also means economy with the launch of the Alfa Romeo 147 JTD in Australia, a turbo diesel version of Alfa Romeo's award-winning hatch back that provides a unique blend of performance and economy. "The great news is the 147 JTD uses little more than half the fuel of the already frugal 147 Twin Spark, but the real surprise is that it is also quicker," says David Stone, General Manager of Alfa Romeo in Australia. "This remarkable engine doesn't just have more torque than the 2.0 petrol 147; it has more toque than the most powerful Alfa Romeo engine, the 3.2 litre V6 in the GTA and that means storming performance and remarkable get up and go in every gear."

The fact that the 147 JTD offers such a useful blend of performance and economy comes as no surprise in Europe. Diesel versions of Alfa Romeo's range of stylish sedans, coupes and Sportwagon models account for 76 per cent of overall sales. Indeed, in the most stylish model, the GT, diesels account for more then 80 per cent of sales and it's the same engine that is now available in Australia in the Alfa 147. Which just leaves one question: The price. The recommended retail price of AUS$39,990 should not just be contrasted with the price of the Alfa 147 Twin Spark. It has to be remembered that the Alfa Romeo 147 JTD offers superior performance, as well as economy and a six speed gearbox, so it truly is variant that sits above its petrol counterpart.

"Alfa Romeo 147 JTD owners really can have their cake and eat it," says David Stone. "On one hand they have economy and emissions that can put to shame most basic economy cars, while on the other there is sports car performance. All of this is then wrapped up in a car that oozes style and charisma. The cream on the cake is that it is also lavishly equipped and comes at a price that only Alfa Romeo can offer. With this combination, the question has to be asked, how long before diesel dominates Australian Alfa sales, as it does in Europe?"