Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 JTS
As a species, we have a weakness for superlatives. We love to know what the fastest, the biggest, the most expensive and the most beautiful cars are. By the same token were also curious as to what the slowest, the smallest, the cheapest and the ugliest models are. Cars that come somewhere in the middle require a little more mental processing to pigeonhole and, as such, these essential compromises are often easy to overlook.
Take Alfa Romeos 159 2.2JTS model. It sits in the middle of their petrol line up between the 1.8 and 3.
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If youre in the market for a mid-range Alfa Romeo 159 and youve taken a quick look at the 2.2-litre JTS model, youve doubtless also glanced at the relative value propositions of the 1.8-litre MPI petrol and the 1.9-litre JTD MultiJet diesel.
If I was spending my own money, the diesel-engined car would get the nod every time. Virtually as quick as the 2.2JTS, way more economical and £500 cheaper model for model, it would appear to be a no brainer. That ignores the significant percentage of buyers who wont countenance a diesel engine, even if it is as good as the JTD MultiJet unit.
These customers prefer the broader spread of torque of a decent petrol engine, abhor the turbo lag thats inherent in even the best turbodiesel installations and also dislike the noise at start-up, the temperamental cold weather starting, the messy refuelling procedure and the absence of the stirring soundtrack that accompanies a tuneful petrol engine.
"As much sense as a diesel-engined 159 makes on the balance sheet, if theres ever a time to let head rule heart its when buying an Alfa Romeo"
If youve read this far, the chances are youre one of these people. Youre willing to forgo a few hundred pounds in annual running costs in order to not drive a diesel. If that is indeed the scenario, the 2.2-litre JTS models case becomes really rather convincing.
Compared to its 1.8-litre MPI petrol sibling, its only marginally thirstier (a combined economy figure of 30.1 compared to 36.7mpg), quicker out of the blocks (getting from rest to 60mph in 8.
5s as opposed to 10.2) and you get this extra urge for the relatively affordable premium of about £2,750. That money buys you an extra 45bhp, the 1.9-litre car knocking out 140bhp whereas the 2.
2 nets you a hefty 185bhp and torque is much improved too, the 2.2-litre JTS engine serving up 230NM as opposed to the 1.8-litres 175Nm showing. Otherwise theres not a huge difference between these two petrol cars.
They share a lot of common parts including brakes and gearbox, but the 2.2-litre model can be identified from a distance by its twin chromed exhausts whereas the 1.8-litre model just sports the one tail pipe. Available in either Turismo or Lusso trims, the range opens at £21,250 and tops out at £22,650 for the saloon models.
The Sportwagon estates are also well worth investigating. Lusso trim gets you extras like leather, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Joint Thrust Stoichiometric (JTS) engine uses the principle of direct gasoline injection as used by Mitsubishi with their GDI powerplants and Renault with their HPI range of units. These fire fuel into the cylinder on the inlet stroke and meter their petrol ration minutely for optimum swirl, burn and a happy customer.
This lean running results in superb economy, but these engines have traditionally had an Achilles heel. The pistons and inlet ports are designed for low-down economy, and the engine reverts to a normal or stoichiometric mix of air and fuel when you plant the loud pedal. Research has shown that Alfa owners enjoy doing this. A lot.
Therefore, the normal gasoline direct engine just wouldnt wash. The JTS engine, on the other hand, uses relatively normal shaped pistons and inlet ports and relies on the actual fuel jet and a sky-high compression rate to do the job instead. Therefore, the JTS engine runs super-lean only up to around 1,500rpm, and normally thereafter. To the untrained eye, this would suggest that this 159 is the perfect sporting car for those who spend most of their time stuck in nose to tail traffic but theres more to it than that.
Although it doesnt possess that addictive metallic zing of the old Twin Spark unit fitted to the 156, the JTS engine is refined and smooth even at higher revs. Continuous dual variable valve timing (ie. on both inlet and exhaust) gives decent torque at lower revs and a better power response at higher engine speeds. Watching one appear in my rear-view at the Nurburgring, I can assure you this vehicle has more overtaking presence than almost any BMW, the gimlet-eyed headlamps and razor-sharp front grille looking rather intimidating.
The rear end is genuinely tricky to differentiate from the 156 at first glance, but the side view shows sharper creasing and swage lines with a longer front end. As cohesive a piece of penmanship as the 156 was, the 159 is a better balanced car. Youll only really consider buying the 159 2.2-litre JTS if you are dead set against buying a diesel because, on most objective criteria, the 1.
9-litre JTD MultiJet is the better car. The thing is, we dont always buy our vehicles on strictly rational grounds and especially cars that are as sumptuously styled as Alfas 159. There will be a fair proportion of buyers who dont want to inject a prosaic dose of practicality into their buying decision. The 2.
2-litre JTS engine allows just about the right sized dose of Latin hedonism.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 JTS range
PRICE: £21,250 - £23,750 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 221g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.5s Max Speed 138 mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 30.1 mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and knee airbags, ABS, traction and stability control, ABS with brake assist
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4660/1828/1417mm
