MANGOLETSI

28.02.2006 The Alfa 159 officially arrived on the UK market at the weekend, and nowhere was the passion and style associated with Alfa Romeo's latest sporting sedan more visible than at Mangoletsi's glamorous launch ceremony

The Alfa 159 officially arrived on the UK market at the weekend, and nowhere was the passion and style that is associated with Alfa Romeo's latest sporting sedan clearly more visible than during Mangoletsi's glamorous launch ceremony.

Mangoletsi, the UK's largest and longest-established authorised Alfa Romeo dealership has an embedded affinity with the sporty Milanese brand that goes back almost 40 years. It was therefore only fitting that, under the dazzlingly bright lights of their Cheshire showroom, the Alfa 159 should arrive in style and glamour. These are characteristics which have closely associated this new sedan ever since it received its world preview to such widespread acclaim in Geneva last year.

The glitzy Alfa 159 launch party took place on Friday evening. The dealership was bathed in a bright red glow cast by several huge floodlights which left the showroom complex radiating a welcome ambiance. Clearly visible from some distance as guests drew up, the lights made it clear in no uncertain terms that an important event was about to occur at this location. Adding to the atmosphere, the North West Alfa Romeo Club had turned up with several interesting Alfa Romeos, including the iconic SZ sportscar and a very unique Alfa 147 GTA.

Mangoletsi's showrooms are usually crammed with a comprehensive line-up of new Alfa Romeo and Fiat models, but the space had been cleared, with the floor being dominated by a single Alfa 159 hidden beneath an enveloping cover: its muscular, taut lines strongly emphasised as they bulged outwards, appearing ready at any moment to burst out from under the bright red cloth. Waitresses dispensed a buffet dinner and champagne to the assembling throng of guests, and the low, bright lighting inside the showroom added to the growing sense of anticipation. The new generation of Alfa Romeo had arrived in a dealership which is firmly moulded on the principles of the brand, and which boasts customers who will accept nothing less than a full helping of the historic values of flair, style and individuality on which the famous name cut its global reputation.

With the lights dimmed and the all the guests having assembled, Mangoletsi's Managing Director Fraser Hudson kicked off the proceedings: "Let me welcome you to Mangoletsi – the oldest and largest Alfa Romeo dealership in the country and proud to be privately owned. Tonight is a very special night. A night to not only celebrate the new Alfa 159 but also a new breed of Alfa Romeo," he added before launching into a detailed outline of the Giugiaro-styled Alfa 159.
 

ALFA ROMEO 159 2.4 JTDM
ALFA ROMEO 159 2.4 JTDM

The Alfa 159 officially arrived on the UK market at the weekend, and nowhere was the passion and style which is clearly associated with Alfa Romeo latest sporty sedan model more visible than during Mangoletsi's glamorous launch ceremony.

ALFA ROMEO 159 2.4 JTDM
ALFA ROMEO 159 2.4 JTDM

Tonight is a very special night. A night to not only celebrate the new Alfa 159 but also a new breed of Alfa Romeo," said Fraser Hudson, Managing Director of Mangoletsi.


Fraser is a typical enthusiast of the brand, something obviously instilled into and reflected by all the staff at Mangoletsi who were enjoying the important occasion of the arrival of a brand-new Alfa just as much as the guests obviously were. Fraser also outlined what Mangoletsi believe to be unrivalled packages for contract hire and long term care, and announced the winner of a raffle which awarded the winner a free Alfa 159 for a week.

"In the past we have seen dominance in the D-segment with German products such as BMW and Audi and this is where the Alfa 159 strikes hard," he continued. "Autocar recently published on their front cover the following quote 'At last a great reason not to buy German'. You will realise why they said this as soon as you see the Alfa 159 and from tomorrow, drive it.
That’s enough from me, you decide for yourselves!"
The lighting display had dimmed in order to build up the atmosphere before they flickered over the hidden car. Dry ice started to swirl, and it was time to roll back the covers, with a typical Latin flourish. The guests crowded round and applauded as the Alfa 159 was revealed: a 2.4 JTDm finished in Argento Alfa with a black leather interior, and squatting aggressively on 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. It is a truly stunning, potent and infinitely desirable package - this is the car which undoubtedly will take the brand to dizzy new heights.

Commenting on the impressive range of aftersales care packages Mangoletsi has tailored for its customers, Sales Executive Craig Aspin told Italiaspeed afterwards: "We believe owning an Alfa Romeo should always be an enjoyable, smooth process. We pay a great deal of attention to the requirements and demands of our many customers who reward us a huge amount of loyalty, which we all work hard to win and retain." The new Alfa 159 replaces the much-loved 'Car of the Year' award-winning Alfa 156, the Giugiaro-designed trend-stetter building in every area. However, the Alfa 156 hasn't quite departed the scene yet, as Mangoletsi have secured the final batch to arrive in the country which they are selling at prices starting from £14,995. "A great car which still looks fresh," adds Craig, "we half just half a dozen left now."

Despite almost forty years as an authorised Alfa Romeo dealer, enthusiasm for the product has not dimmed one iota at Mangoletsi. Two more Alfa 159s were rolled out for guests to examine: a 2.4 JTDm Lusso finished in Rubino Red with tan leather, front and rear parking sensors, and 18-inch, 7-round slot alloy wheels; and a 2.2 JTS Lusso in Oltremare Blue with a black leather interior, 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels and a split rear seat. "We are now taking Alfa 159 orders for March delivery," added Fraser, "with the Brera, 159 Sportwagon and Spider all sceduled to follow shortly we expect to have a very busy summer."
 


Mangoletsi website: www.mangoletsi.com
 

© 2006 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed