Alfa Romeo 159 TI

14.11.2006 ALFA 159 TI SET TO BE LAUNCHED AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW NEXT MARCH

A new Alfa Romeo TI pack will be launched across the current Alfa 159 and 159 Sportwagon petrol and diesel ranges at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Visually arresting, with attention-grabbing features set to include red large red-painted Brembo brake calipers, lowered sports suspension and 19-inch wheels, the TI pack will slot in at the top of the options range, creating a carefully ascending chain of trim levels, starting with the 'Basic', 'Progression' and 'Distinctive' finishes, which will then branch out to 'Exclusive' and now TI, with the new TI pack positioned above 'Exclusive'.

The TI (Turismo Internazionale) symbol is synonymous with Alfa Romeo, having been a well-known and distinctive mark of exclusivity and sportiness, for many decades. Famous models to bear the TI badge include the Giulia TI Super, a high-performance version of the Giulia,  it was introduced in 1963. With a potent 112 bhp engine, disc brakes all round and a floor-mounted gearshift, this rapid model was limited in production to just 500 units. The evocative Alfasud, which totally changed the face of the Alfa Romeo marque in the 1970s and 1980s, used the TI name to denote the sportiest and most capable versions of this very agile little flat-four cylinder engine powered hatchback. In recent years the acronym has served to denote high-end specification trim packages on models such as the Alfa 145, 146, 147, 156 and 166.

On the inside of the Alfa 159 the TI pack will add further to the 'Progression' level: sports seats (manual or electric operation optional) with distinctive red Alfa Romeo logos stitched in; specifically darker aluminium centre console and gearlever console surface finish inserts; grooved aluminium pedal covers and footrest plate (from the Lineaaccessori catalogue); new full-length aluminium door sill mouldings embossed with the TI logo; a new more sporty design of the dashboard instruments and associated area; leather steering wheel and gearknob; black interior roof panel; electric rear windows; bi-zone automatic air conditioning; VDC; a third headrest and heated seats.
 

ALFA 159 TI

The Alfa 159 TI pack will be very competitively priced against its main market rivals, as well as offering a higher finish level and a wider component standard.

ALFA 159 TI

Visually arresting, with attention-grabbing features set to include red large red-painted Brembo brake calipers, lowered sports suspension and 19-inch wheels, the TI pack will slot in at the top of the options range.

ALFA 159 TI

A new Alfa Romeo TI pack will be launched across the current Alfa 159 and 159 Sportwagon petrol and diesel ranges at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

ALFA 159 TI

On the inside of the Alfa 159 the TI pack will add further to the 'Progression' level, changes include sports seats, leather steering wheel and gearknob, aluminium pedals and darker dashboard inserts.


Meanwhile, the exterior changes which will be made are designed to create a strong visual identity and impact for the new Alfa 159 TI pack, and is set to include a new sports body kit with deeper sill mouldings; an uprated 'sports' suspension arrangement which is lowered by 20 mm; Brembo brake calipers which are finished in an eye-catching red colour (front and rear); large 19-inch diameter alloy wheels (shod with Pneus 235/40/19 tyres); careful TI personalisation badging, including the logo on the front wings positioned alongside the repeater lamps, and on the boot; aluminium-coloured door mirror covers (or optional body coloured) and also a new exhaust rear box with new tailpipes.

From March the Alfa 159 TI pack will be available across the range on the 2.2 JTS 185 bhp; 2.2 JTS 185 bhp Selespeed; 3.2 V6 Q4 260 bhp; and 3.2 V6 Q4 260 bhp Q-tronic petrol models; and on 1.9 JTDM 150 bhp (but not in RHD markets); 1.9 JTDM 150 bhp Q-tronic and the 2.4 JTDM 200 bhp turbodiesels. When the improved 210 bhp 2.4 JTDM engine, with 6-speed transmission, is introduced to the market in the spring the TI pack will also be added as an option for this model: in the Q4 option from March (which is also being launched during the Geneva Motor Show) and the FWD version from July.

The Alfa 159 TI pack will be very competitively priced against its main market rivals, as well as offering a higher finish level and a wider component standard. The Alfa 159's two direct German competitors are Audi and BMW. The Audi 'S-Line' trim package retails for 3,550 euros in Italy, while the BMW 'M-Sport' options kit is 4,500 euros, also on the same market. The Audi S-Line package includes lowered suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, black interior, dark aluminium inserts, sports seats, new front and rear bumpers and spoiler, leather gearknob and specific badging. The BMW M-Sport kit also includes lowered suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, black interior, aluminium inserts and sports seats; as well as a revised aerodynamic package and xenon headlights.
 

Related articles
09.11.2006

During the Fiat Auto Investor Presentation today Alfa Romeo outlined its forthcoming model plans to 2010, confirming that a new small car, codenamed "Junior", a sporty crossover and the Alfa 169 are all firmly in the pipeline

© 2006 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed