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A new Alfa Romeo TI pack will be launched
across the current Alfa 159 and 159 Sportwagon petrol and
diesel ranges at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Visually
arresting, with attention-grabbing features set to include red
large red-painted Brembo brake calipers,
lowered sports suspension and 19-inch wheels, the TI pack will slot
in at the top of the options range, creating a carefully ascending chain of
trim levels, starting with the 'Basic', 'Progression' and
'Distinctive' finishes, which will then branch out to
'Exclusive' and now TI, with the new TI pack positioned
above 'Exclusive'.
The TI (Turismo Internazionale) symbol is synonymous with
Alfa Romeo, having been a well-known and distinctive mark of
exclusivity and sportiness, for many decades. Famous models
to bear the TI badge include the Giulia TI Super, a
high-performance version of the Giulia, it was
introduced in 1963. With a potent 112 bhp engine, disc
brakes all round and a floor-mounted gearshift, this rapid
model was limited in production to just 500 units. The
evocative Alfasud, which totally changed the face of the
Alfa Romeo marque in the 1970s and 1980s, used the TI name
to denote the sportiest and most capable versions of this
very agile little flat-four cylinder engine powered
hatchback. In recent years the acronym has served to denote
high-end specification trim packages on models such as the
Alfa 145, 146, 147, 156 and 166.
On the inside of the Alfa 159 the TI pack will add further to the 'Progression'
level: sports seats (manual or electric operation optional) with
distinctive red
Alfa Romeo logos stitched in; specifically darker aluminium
centre console and gearlever console surface finish inserts;
grooved
aluminium pedal covers and footrest plate (from the Lineaaccessori
catalogue); new full-length aluminium door sill mouldings embossed with
the TI logo; a new more sporty design of the dashboard
instruments and associated area; leather steering wheel and gearknob;
black interior roof panel; electric rear windows; bi-zone
automatic air conditioning; VDC; a third headrest and heated
seats.
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The Alfa 159 TI pack will be very competitively
priced against its main market rivals, as well as
offering a higher finish level and a wider component
standard. |
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Visually arresting, with attention-grabbing features
set to include red large red-painted Brembo brake calipers,
lowered sports suspension and 19-inch wheels, the TI pack will slot
in at the top of the options range. |
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A new Alfa Romeo TI pack will be launched across the
current Alfa 159 and 159 Sportwagon petrol and
diesel ranges at the Geneva Motor Show next March. |
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On the inside
of the Alfa 159 the TI pack will add further to the
'Progression' level, changes include sports seats,
leather steering wheel and gearknob, aluminium
pedals and darker dashboard inserts. |
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Meanwhile, the exterior changes
which will be made are designed to create a strong visual
identity and impact for the new Alfa 159 TI pack, and is set to include a new
sports body kit with deeper sill mouldings; an uprated
'sports' suspension arrangement which is lowered by 20 mm; Brembo brake calipers
which are finished in an
eye-catching red colour (front and rear); large 19-inch diameter
alloy wheels (shod with Pneus 235/40/19 tyres); careful TI
personalisation badging, including the logo on the front wings
positioned alongside the repeater lamps, and on the boot; aluminium-coloured door mirror
covers (or optional body coloured) and also a new exhaust rear
box with new tailpipes.
From March the Alfa 159 TI pack will be available across the
range on the 2.2 JTS 185
bhp; 2.2 JTS 185 bhp Selespeed; 3.2 V6 Q4 260 bhp; and 3.2 V6 Q4 260 bhp Q-tronic
petrol models; and on 1.9 JTDM 150 bhp (but not in RHD markets); 1.9 JTDM 150
bhp Q-tronic and the 2.4 JTDM 200 bhp turbodiesels. When the improved 210
bhp 2.4 JTDM engine, with 6-speed transmission, is introduced
to the market in the spring the TI pack will also be added
as an option for this model: in the Q4
option from March (which is also being launched during the Geneva
Motor Show) and the
FWD version from July.
The Alfa 159 TI pack will be very competitively priced
against its main market rivals, as well as offering a higher
finish level and a wider component standard. The Alfa 159's
two direct German competitors are Audi and BMW. The Audi
'S-Line' trim package retails for 3,550 euros in Italy,
while the BMW 'M-Sport' options kit is 4,500 euros, also on
the same market. The Audi S-Line package includes lowered
suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, black interior, dark
aluminium inserts, sports seats, new front and rear bumpers
and spoiler, leather gearknob and specific badging. The BMW
M-Sport kit also includes lowered suspension, 17-inch alloy
wheels, black interior, aluminium inserts and sports seats;
as well as a revised aerodynamic package and xenon
headlights.
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