Created ‘for and around’ man
 

The Alfa 159 Sportwagon surrounds the driver and passengers with technologies that guarantee a high level of dynamic, acoustic and climatic comfort. The efficient soundproofing and the high torsional and flexural rigidity of the bodyshell create a muted, enveloping vibration-free interior ambience. An excellent driving position was defined for the new model (precise ratios between the pedals, the seat, the steering wheel and the gearbox) and around this an environment that is distinctive, and in many ways innovative for Alfa Romeo, was evolved. The elements of comfort, greater harmony of the spaces, and the attention to detail mean that when you get into the car, you immediately perceive a higher level of quality. Without considering the exclusive equipment incorporated in the Alfa 159 Sportwagon to increase travelling comfort.

Acoustic comfort
 
The sense of well-being does not dissolve but is actually increased when the engine is started and the car moves off. The level of acoustic comfort on the Alfa 159 Sportwagon is a significant improvement on the Alfa 156, thanks in particular to the excellent torsional rigidity of the bodyshell, designed to prevent creaking; changes to the soundproofing elements include the interior carpeting which includes a thick layer of sound-absorbing foam, and finally, the thick glazing of the front door windows (now 5 mm).

Roominess, storage compartments and boot

The car’s generous exterior measurements allowed the volumes to be distributed optimally, making the car extremely roomy. Take the overall longitudinal roominess: even when a person 188 cm tall is sitting on the front seat, there is still plenty of room for a passenger 178 cm tall on the rear seat. There are numerous convenient, practical storage areas for small and large items on the Alfa 159 Sportwagon. They include a large glove compartment in the lower part of the facia in front of the passenger; a storage compartment and insulated box in the armrest between the two front seats, a storage compartment in the pull-out central rear armrest, a ceiling-high spectacles holder and 2 compartments under the rear shelf brackets. The actual luggage compartment of the Alfa 159 Sportwagon is 445 litres. And the rear seats can fold down separately 40-60%.

The luggage compartment will be appreciated for its regular shape: a great deal of work went into the design to optimise the loading area without penalising the geometry of the rear suspension, allowing the driver to exploit the interior space and increase versatility. The contents of the luggage compartment are protected from prying eyes by a sliding cover, level with the side windows. The boot is illuminated by three inside lights and also offers a 12V socket.

Comfort of the facia and controls
 
The driver of the Alfa 159 Sportwagon is immediately aware of the excellent layout of the instruments, the easy handling and convenience of the controls, which are all turned towards him and grouped by function. The driver’s position is built around the ‘cockpit’, where all the various driving controls are concentrated. The controls for the climate system, radio and navigator, the gear lever and the ignition button are all on the centre console. The circular analogue speedometer and rev counter are linked by a high resolution reconfigurable digital display, and perfect illumination guarantees clear, easy reading of all the instrumentation, particularly at night. And finally, hand position and grip are perfect on the three-spoke steering wheel, even when negotiating difficult situations.

Ignition button

The Alfa 159 Sportwagon features an innovative ignition system comprising an electronic key with three buttons, an electronic key reader on the facia, a starter button next to the electronic key reader, and an electric steering wheel lock on the steering column, where it is inoffensive in a collision. To turn the control panel on and start the engine, the key must be inserted in the reader on the facia, after which, for security reasons, the button has to be pushed together with the clutch and/or brake pedal.

Front and rear seat comfort

The seats on the new 159 Sportwagon are larger and more comfortable than those on the 156 Sportwagon, guaranteeing superb comfort and safety. To enhance comfort even more, and in particular to absorb vibration, an efficient spring system has been incorporated in the front seat cushion, while a modern lumbar support system in the squab supports the back better. Nor must we forget that the front seats are padded with foam that adapts to the occupant’s shape. The following adjustments are possible on the front seats: height, with a vertical excursion of 5 cm, reach, squab rake by a knob that provides continuous adjustment, tilting, seat cushion horizontal inclination, and lumbar support.

Electric front seats are available on request (the driver’s seat has three memories to personalise the configuration), and the head-restraints are also height-adjustable. The standard rear seats have a 40/60 split squab that folds down onto the seat. Isofix attachments for one or two child seats are provided on the rear seats, and 3 head-restraints are fitted as standard.

Climatic comfort

The climate inside the car is a major factor of comfort on the road, and it is also important for preventive safety, because the temperature, humidity and ventilation affect the driver’s well-being and therefore his attention level. And it is the heating and ventilation system that demists the windscreen and side windows. This is why the Alfa 159 Sportwagon offers a choice of three climate systems: automatic dual-zone, automatic tri-zone and manual.

The dual-zone and tri-zone systems both feature automatic control of the temperature, airflow, air distribution, compressor engagement and recirculation. On the 159 Sportwagon, both systems incorporate an ‘equivalent temperature’ climate control strategy. A number of sensors register the indoor and outdoor temperature and evaluate the sensation of thermal well-being perceived by the passenger, i.e. the energy exchange between the human body and the passenger compartment, which is affected by the humidity, the temperature and the flow of treated air. Another sensor, positioned centrally at the base of the windscreen, measures the solar radiation in the vehicle and the angle at which the rays hit the passenger compartment. It can then inform the climate system to ensure that the sun’s rays do not cause the interior temperature to climb too high.

Both climate systems can provide two different temperatures and airflows simultaneously: one on the right of the passenger compartment, and another on the left. In the case of the tri-zone system, even rear seat passengers can adjust their air temperature and flow independently.
 

 In addition to the standard sensors that measure outdoor and indoor temperatures, the Alfa 159 Sportwagon also offers an AQS Air Quality Sensor that verifies air quality. It means that passengers on the new model will always breathe clean air, even in town traffic, tailbacks and tunnels. This device controls the recirculation function, which is triggered automatically to block the input of outdoor air into the car in areas where the smog level is high.

The hands-free voice recognition system

Developed jointly by Fiat Auto and Microsoft, the system, which is based on Windows Mobile technology, changes the communications, information and entertainment models in the car, improving the comfort and quality of the time spent on board. The device is extremely simple to use, and allows you to receive/make telephone calls and to listen to music simply and safely as you drive. And thanks to Bluetooth® technology, you can also communicate with the outside world from the car using your own personal mobile phone or HDA. The system on offer will be supplemented in future with more evolved devices giving access to the many novelties that technological progress has in store for the coming years: from a complete multimedia system to satellite navigation. In addition to which there is a whole range of services that will make all your journeys more comfortable, safer and easier.

How it works

The device offered on the Alfa 159 Sportwagon incorporates a sophisticated hands-free system with voice recognition that enhances driving safety and respects the law because the driver can use the system without taking his hands off the wheel. The system allows drivers with a Bluetooth® mobile phone to use the telephone even if it is in a jacket or a bag, automatically lowering the radio volume (when this is on) and routing the interlocutor’s voice through the stereo speakers. The system is also extremely compatible with all cell phones currently on the market and can be updated to comply with new standards and future telephones.

The hands-free function on the 159 Sportwagon is built into the car and the control keys are positioned on the steering wheel for immediate, safe access to the system; the driver can find a number in his phone book by scrolling the control panel display, or ‘mute’ the call for confidentiality. One interesting feature is the fact that the mobile phone only has to be registered with the system once. It is also possible to transfer one’s personal phone book to the car, automatically updating it every time the system recognises a cell phone. Privacy is guaranteed because access is only granted to the phone book if the telephone registered with the system is in the car.

The number or name of the caller is shown on the display if it is in the phone book and the number can be called ‘vocally’ by dictating the numbers or pronouncing the name if it has been memorised. The evolved voice recognition process means that the voice does not have to be ‘learned’, and the device is able to memorise up to 5 cell phones at the same time, allowing immediate use of the hands-free system by several users of the same car; and programming can obviously be modified whenever it is necessary. And finally, the hands-free system with voice recognition can also reproduce a ‘personal’ call tone using the radio speakers.

These are the features of the hands-free system with voice recognition, but the innovative Alfa 159 Sportwagon offers more: it allows the motorist to listen to his favourite music when it is recorded on a mobile phone, one of the new smart phones, on an MP3 player or on a USB pen drive. This is made possible by a USB port positioned in the glove compartment, to which any digital device with a similar connection can be connected, and musical audio files (MP3, WMA and WAV) can be reproduced directly through the stereo system. And because all the information is visible on the instrument panel display, the client can scroll through the system archive (divided by type, album, artist, etc.) either vocally or using the steering wheel controls, and select the piece he wants to listen to using the same controls.

Bose® Sound System

The Bose® Sound System, developed for Alfa Romeo by the American company that leads the acoustic Hi-Fi market, guarantees exceptional listening quality for all passengers in all travelling conditions. The Hi-Fi system has a power output of 570 Watts, an acoustic system with ten speakers and a subwoofer with a 6-channel digital amplifier (200 Watts) built into the luggage compartment, which reproduces the lowest frequencies. The Bose® Sound System produces the emotion of a live concert. Reproduction is realistic, with crystal clear high notes and full, rich low notes, and it refuses unnatural timbres that may seem attractive at first, but tend to tire the listener in the long run. The merit goes to the new arrangement of the tweeters, on the facia with a central diffuser. The latter lets the sound envelop all the occupants, giving the sensation that it is propagated into a much vaster environment, because the audio system was designed specifically for the passenger compartment, to guarantee perfect harmony between the technical characteristics of each one.

To achieve this result, the Bose® engineers carefully selected the components of the stereo system, establishing the best position for the diffusers in relation to the listeners, helped by advanced design software. A built-in signal processor automatically adjusts the bass notes so that they are perfect at any volume. This device is more sophisticated than a conventional volume control, and guarantees natural, top quality sound at all times. An active equalisation circuit automatically guarantees excellent electronic balance of all frequencies, great balance and clear tones over the entire audio range. Which means being able to enjoy impeccable musical reproduction in all driving conditions. The clarity of the sound is also an effect of the active compressor circuits, thanks to which there is never any distortion, even at high volume. And it is the interaction between all these sophisticated components that produces the extraordinary sound effects that have been made famous by Bose® all over the world.

Rain, dusk and parking sensors and built-in anti-theft protection

The equipment on the new model includes a number of significant technological devices that enhance life on board. For example, the rain sensor, which automatically activates the windscreen wipers at the first drops of rain; the dusk sensor which turns the headlights on when the car enters a tunnel; and the front and rear sensors that make parking easier, informing the driver with acoustic and graphic warnings (on the display) about the distance between the car and any obstacle. And finally, the Alfa 159 Sportwagon includes a sophisticated ‘built-in protection system’ that comprises the volumetric, anti-lift, anti-break-in, anti-theft Safe Lock device. It can mechanically disconnect the lock and the inside and outside handles of the doors, making it impossible to open them from inside, even if the window is broken.