An estate with style
Engines
The Alfa 159 comes with a choice of two engines, a 2.2 16v with 185bhp and a 3.2 V6 24v with 260bhp, both of which employ state of the art direct injection technology and variable valve timing on both inlet and exhaust camshafts. This technology enables both performance and emissions to be optimised without the need for compromise.
Gear Boxes
Driving the Alfa Romeo engines is made less stressful by the fitment of six-speed transmissions to all versions, including the Q-Tronic option, whilst extended service intervals across all the engines make ownership more convenient.
The new Q-Tronic Automatic transmission.
The Alfa Romeo automatic gearbox returns with the Q-Tronic system. Cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions ensure better control of the car, reduced fuel consumption and real driving pleasure.
The Q-Tronic system guarantees maximum comfort for the driver in ‘stop and go’ situations typical of urban traffic, where you are constantly changing gear to deal with continuous changes in speed. In addition, because there is no interruption in torque delivery when changing gear, the system eliminates the unpleasant jerkiness associated with a sudden absence of acceleration.
The brain of the Q-Tronic is the automatic gearbox control unit, which behaves just like an independent computer and gradually brings to a stop the various elements in a series of crown wheel gears in the gearbox, and eventually changes gear. In addition, between the gearbox and the engine there is a torque converter, a hydraulic component that multiplies the torque provided by the engine when the vehicle is moving off, resulting in improved performance. To minimise fuel consumption when the vehicle is moving, the torque converter’s internal clutch can be by-passed to give a direct mechanical connection between engine and gearbox.
Q-Tronic offers great versatility thanks to the three driving modes available in addition to the normal default mode selected when the car starts, designed to give the best possible driving comfort and reduce fuel consumption.
- Sport: featuring fixed gear shift ratios at higher engine speeds, giving the car a more sporty behaviour.
- Winter: facilitates starting and driving in low grip conditions.
- Sequential: allows the driver to shift gear manually.
Various other functions are also available that enable the vehicle to adapt to ever-changing driving and road conditions. These include the Up & Down slope function, which enables the car to recognise the slope of the road and adapt the gear shifts accordingly, and the Braking assist function, which increases vehicle deceleration when shifting down gear.
Q4 Four Wheel Drive Differential
Safer Sportiness
Alfa Romeo’s permanently engaged ‘Q4’ traction control system creates a sure-footed drive without taking the pleasure away from the Alfa Romeo driving experience.
The control centre of this system means that “all four wheels are driven by Q4”; a Twin Differential mechanism, evolved from Torsen C.
The traction control operates permanently, shifting traction between the front and rear wheels. A maximum 57% torque can be driven to the rear wheels with a self-locking Twin Differential that manages the engine power transfer, leaving 43% traction through to the front wheels. This enables optimum handling in ‘dry, neutral conditions’, creating a rear-wheel drive sensation.
However, road and weather conditions change, so it’s reassuring to know that this system automatically monitors wheel traction, shifting the power between front and rear, helping to match the right amount of power to each wheel for the road conditions, giving the driver a controlled, yet sporty drive.
It is available in the 3.2 V6 model.