With the 159's sales having tailed away across Europe over the last year, Alfa Romeo UK will be hoping that the arrival of the 2.0 JTDM 136 bhp engine option will stimulate some consumer interest in the Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed sedan. It is an up-to-date Euro 5 power unit equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger able to deliver an impressive 350 Nm of torque at low engine speeds (1750 rpm). The combination provides lively performance together with low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions (134 g/km for the Saloon – 137 g/km for the Sportwagon). These figures hope to make the Alfa 159 a more competitive alternative to UK company car and fleet buyers basing their choice on CO2 emissions.

This engine complements the Euro 5 diesel range for the Alfa 159, positioning it in the most important diesel power band within segment D, and achieving an excellent balance between strong performance, running costs, comfort and driving flexibility over long distances.

In addition, the UK market also gets Alfa 159 MY2011's revised sports cloth upholstery and sports leather in black or natural, as well as a cabin environment which includes a chrome-plated three-layer treatment or brush black aluminium inserts on the dashboard, on the mouldings and on the central console.

The mildly revised UK range features three trim specifications; the entry level Turismo trim is complemented by two further trim levels; one designed for occupant comfort – Lusso, and the other dedicated to a sporty feel - TI.

Turismo specification in the UK features six airbags, electric front and rear windows, dual zone automatic climate control, new sports cloth upholstery, cruise control, front fog lights, car radio with CD/MP3 player and eight speakers, Blue&Me™ (Bluetooth hands-free system), black leather steering with remote controls, black leather gear knob, 16” alloy wheels, and a host of safety features and detailed design attributes. The Lusso version features leather upholstery, visibility pack, sports dials with white illumination, darkened interior headlining, black aluminium centre console and steering wheel trim inserts, dark chrome painted dashboard and door trim inserts, rear parking sensors, stainless steel kick plates and 17” multi-spoke design alloy wheels. Finally TI versions are distinguished by 19" TI spoked alloy wheels, side skirts, lowered sports suspension and red painted brake callipers. Inside, the TI environment is recognisable from the wraparound seats trimmed in black Sports leather and Alcantara, sports pedal unit in aluminium and kick plates with the TI logo and sports steering wheel in leather with remote controls, leather gear knob and leather handbrake lever. For an innovative, hi-tech look, new carbon fibre inserts on the central console and steering wheel may be ordered as options.

In addition to the 2.0 JTDM 136 bhp the MY2011 range has two further units, the 1750 200 bhp turbo petrol and a 2.0 JTDM 170 bhp with variable geometry turbine, both compliant with Euro 5 standards, although with the arrival of the new 136 bhp unit the 170 bhp option isn't likely to generate much consumer interest anymore.

In terms of safety, the Alfa 159 offers as standard a vehicle dynamic stability control system (VDC), including an ASR anti-slip function, Hill Holder hill start assistance and emergency braking assistance, plus six airbags (2 front, 2 sidebags and 2 window bags).

Alfa 159 MY2011 - UK Range Pricing