Alfa Romeo matures?

David Linklater finds the Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 JTS is more refined, but a bit less Alfa, than it’s 156 predessor but still has a few foibles. I’d call it Alfa “character”!

Beauty In Eye Of Alfa Romeo | Xtra Motoring

Beauty In Eye Of Alfa Romeo | Xtra Motoring

“The four-cylinder engine doesn't crackle away like you might expect of an Alfa and the chassis has traded away some of the 156's character and aggression for smoother passage through the corners. However, you could hardly complain about either when it's so obvious that the 159 has grown-up in so many other ways. It's now car with incredibly broad appeal - not just one for the long-suffering Alfaphiles.”

“The four-cylinder engine doesn't crackle away like you might expect of an Alfa and the chassis has traded away some of the 156's character and aggression for smoother passage through the corners. However, you could hardly complain about either when it's so obvious that the 159 has grown-up in so many other ways. It's now car with incredibly broad appeal - not just one for the long-suffering Alfaphiles.”