Top Gear Road test the Alfa Romeo 159

Top Gear give the Alfa Romeo 159 a good first impression drive review. I still think Alfa should have stuck with the hidden rear door handles. Screw the concerns about “attract[ing] people out of Mercs and Audis”. Everything else looks fantastic although I’d skip the “vomit-beige dash”

The 3.2 V6 (Holden block) engine gets a good wrap for it’s vocal abilities – “Take comfort from the sounds” – so thankfully it’s not going to sound like a Commodore…

The V6 now has 4wd and “it corners more like an Impreza than an Audi: full of life and feedback” which overcomes the limitations faced by the Fwd 156. Perhaps Saab fans will be upset that this now Alfa only chassis, once also intended for Saab, was a casualty of the GM/Fiat split.

Alfa Romeo 159 |Top Gear | Road test

Don't believe your eyes. The new 159 might look like a 156 evolved, but actually every part beyond nuts 'n' bolts is new. The Giugiaro-designed body is frankly sensational…