Car pool: Alfa Romeo 159 Ti 1750 TBi
The price: From $54,480 plus on-road and dealer costs
Vital statistics: 1.7-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol; 147kW/320Nm; 6-sp manual; 8.1L/100km and 189g/km CO2; FWD
The tester: Matt Campbell
Why we're driving it: Having just added the new 1.7-litre turbocharged Giulietta QV to its line-up, Alfa Romeo is spreading the love to other models including the ageing 159 sedan and wagon. New 1.7-litre turbocharged models are now the entry point to the 159 range. We're testing the higher-spec Ti sedan.
Likes:
The engine works a treat in the 159, offering plenty of accessible pulling power through the rev range with little lag to speak of. It sounds good, too. The transmission is smooth, with a nice, heavy feel to the shift action.
Steering is nicely weighted and sporty lowered suspension helps road-holding. Brembo brakes make stopping simple. The dark interior is quite luxurious. Seats are spacious front and rear. Metal dash finish adds a sporty feel.
Dislikes:
The 159 has been around since 2005 and the game has moved on when it comes to design. New model due 2012. Difficult to find the right seating position. Tyres noisy on coarse surfaces. Small boot opening. Some more modern competitors are cheaper. Interior looks dated and may be too dark for some tastes.
Would I buy one?
It's a well-rounded package with sporty appeal but the head would likely overrule the heart. An Audi A4 1.8 TFSI offers a lot of the same stuff for slightly less, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series both argue convincing cases, too.