Home 
Car Articles Reviews Reviews Listings Alfa Romeo Reviews
Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 Selespeed Quadrifoglio Verde (A) Review
30 Nov 2010|59,498 views
The last time I found myself in an Alfa Romeo, I ended up banging out one of my best articles (in my opinion) ever. Not only that, I was so smitten by the Alfa that I drove home that evening finding fault with everything about my own car. If you're keen to know, the Alfa Mito I drove had me recounting the many fun filled lateral adventures I had with it that day in my dreams at night. It was™dare I say it? A bloody good drive.
So it seems hardly surprising that my recent drive in the Alfa Romeo 159 Quadrifoglio Verde was a positive one as well.
Exterior
The most arresting aspect of the 159 has to be the intense expression that mesmerises you with its elegance while at the same time reminds you of the car's sporty muscular nature. The strong machismo is further underlined by the car's wide shoulders as well as the flared wheel arches in the front.
The car was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The famous Italian automobile designer is responsible for some of the most beautiful cars of the modern era.
So it seems hardly surprising that my recent drive in the Alfa Romeo 159 Quadrifoglio Verde was a positive one as well.
Exterior
The most arresting aspect of the 159 has to be the intense expression that mesmerises you with its elegance while at the same time reminds you of the car's sporty muscular nature. The strong machismo is further underlined by the car's wide shoulders as well as the flared wheel arches in the front.
The car was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The famous Italian automobile designer is responsible for some of the most beautiful cars of the modern era.
 |
Some examples of his work include the 1997 Volkswagen W12 and 1972 Lotus Esprit. So esteemed is this Italian designer that Ferrari even built a one off GG50 just for him and of course Giorgetto penned the design himself.
Looking closely at the 159, one can almost see Giorgetto's pen strokes and how he leads your eyes along the length of the car. Where you take in the muscular creases and the high shoulder line.
The rear is kept clean with just a pair of slits that form the taillight housing giving the car a menacing expression even when viewed from the back.
 |
A discrete cloverleaf badge next to the model badge identifies this as the special 2010 version. Upping the thrill factor are the pair of chrome tailpipes that peep out from the lower diffuser.
Fitted on the model here are the gorgeous 18 inch alloys that come as standard and sports a similar design to the ones fitted on the flagship 8C Competizione.
Framed by the alloys are the Brembo monobloc calipers finished in bright red. These combined with the car's elegant muscular design gives the car a menacing, aggressive stance.
Interior
First thing you notice about the Alfa's interior as you step in is how driver centric it is. Everything seems to be there for the driver's benefit (which is how all cars should be designed anyway).
The centre console here is tilted a few degrees towards the driver to allow easy access to the buttons and knobs.
The front seats are comfortably supportive with side bolsters to keep you in the thick of things when you're hamming it up in a corner. I loved the comfortably grippy yet beautifully contoured steering that will appeal to the minimalist.
The instrument cluster is dominated by a LCD screen backlit in red and shows the trip computer, range and gear status. Flanking both sides of the screen are the aluminium ringed dials that show essential info to the driver.
Fitted on the model here are the gorgeous 18 inch alloys that come as standard and sports a similar design to the ones fitted on the flagship 8C Competizione.
Framed by the alloys are the Brembo monobloc calipers finished in bright red. These combined with the car's elegant muscular design gives the car a menacing, aggressive stance.
Interior
First thing you notice about the Alfa's interior as you step in is how driver centric it is. Everything seems to be there for the driver's benefit (which is how all cars should be designed anyway).
The centre console here is tilted a few degrees towards the driver to allow easy access to the buttons and knobs.
The front seats are comfortably supportive with side bolsters to keep you in the thick of things when you're hamming it up in a corner. I loved the comfortably grippy yet beautifully contoured steering that will appeal to the minimalist.
The instrument cluster is dominated by a LCD screen backlit in red and shows the trip computer, range and gear status. Flanking both sides of the screen are the aluminium ringed dials that show essential info to the driver.
Despite the generous use of brushed aluminium on the centre console, the generally grey theme of the interior balances the cold metal well.
The audio deck is encased in the brushed aluminium surround in an almost industrial like charm that will appeal to minimalist freaks like yours truly.
The buttons here are all nicely finished and befitting of a car like the Alfa. They're large enough that you wouldn't have any mis-stabs. The lone 'start' button sitting on the top right does seem a tad awkward to find at first but shouldn't be a problem once you've accustomed to it.
In the rear, the bench allows three adults to sit abreast comfortably while providing adequate legroom even for a tall adult such as myself behind an equally tall driver. Rear passengers are also kept comfortable with their own aircon duct.
While there are no official figures for the boot volume, it does appear to be adequate enough to hold at least three golf bags though it might be a bit of a squeeze. It is a shame that the rear bench in the Alfa doesn't fold flat.
On a whole, the dashboard build quality is faultless while its design reflects the stylish elegance of the Alfa's exterior.
The audio deck is encased in the brushed aluminium surround in an almost industrial like charm that will appeal to minimalist freaks like yours truly.
The buttons here are all nicely finished and befitting of a car like the Alfa. They're large enough that you wouldn't have any mis-stabs. The lone 'start' button sitting on the top right does seem a tad awkward to find at first but shouldn't be a problem once you've accustomed to it.
In the rear, the bench allows three adults to sit abreast comfortably while providing adequate legroom even for a tall adult such as myself behind an equally tall driver. Rear passengers are also kept comfortable with their own aircon duct.
While there are no official figures for the boot volume, it does appear to be adequate enough to hold at least three golf bags though it might be a bit of a squeeze. It is a shame that the rear bench in the Alfa doesn't fold flat.
On a whole, the dashboard build quality is faultless while its design reflects the stylish elegance of the Alfa's exterior.
 |
The Drive
Powered by a 2.2-litre 16V in-line, the nifty Alfa trots with 185bhp and 230Nm of torque. Enough to reward you with a peppy drive. Mash the accelerator and the red-blooded Alfa responds with a distinctive growl from its twin chrome tipped exhausts.
If you've made up your mind to buy an Alfa, you would've probably been told or experienced the quirks of the six-speed Selespeed box for yourself. The automated manual that requires you to treat it more like a manual than an auto.
The jerk experienced with every gear change can be minimised if you lift off as you clutch-in. I admit that it does take some getting used to but a hardcore enthusiast wouldn't be the least bit bothered by the quirks of this sexy lady.
To eliminate the jerks even further, one should drive the car in its sequential manual mode where gearshifts can be attempted through the gear lever or the steering mounted paddles.
Powered by a 2.2-litre 16V in-line, the nifty Alfa trots with 185bhp and 230Nm of torque. Enough to reward you with a peppy drive. Mash the accelerator and the red-blooded Alfa responds with a distinctive growl from its twin chrome tipped exhausts.
If you've made up your mind to buy an Alfa, you would've probably been told or experienced the quirks of the six-speed Selespeed box for yourself. The automated manual that requires you to treat it more like a manual than an auto.
The jerk experienced with every gear change can be minimised if you lift off as you clutch-in. I admit that it does take some getting used to but a hardcore enthusiast wouldn't be the least bit bothered by the quirks of this sexy lady.
To eliminate the jerks even further, one should drive the car in its sequential manual mode where gearshifts can be attempted through the gear lever or the steering mounted paddles.
Tight corners seem to be where the Alfa thrives as the beautifully weighted steering gives constant feedback that adds to the sedan's sharp cornering ability.
Conclusion
If you're put off by the rumours of reliability problems, the local distributor, EuroAutomobile, is so confident about the 159QV that it is offering a 100,000km or five-year warranty to put those rumours to rest.
If you're a passionate driver and a self-professed motorhead, you'll have to enter the Alfa Romeo brotherhood to know what the great motoring connoisseur aka Jeremy Clarkson is on about.
And frankly, there isn't another Alfa I'd like to be seen in™except for maybe the Brera.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Conclusion
If you're put off by the rumours of reliability problems, the local distributor, EuroAutomobile, is so confident about the 159QV that it is offering a 100,000km or five-year warranty to put those rumours to rest.
If you're a passionate driver and a self-professed motorhead, you'll have to enter the Alfa Romeo brotherhood to know what the great motoring connoisseur aka Jeremy Clarkson is on about.
And frankly, there isn't another Alfa I'd like to be seen in™except for maybe the Brera.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
The last time I found myself in an Alfa Romeo, I ended up banging out one of my best articles (in my opinion) ever. Not only that, I was so smitten by the Alfa that I drove home that evening finding fault with everything about my own car. If you're keen to know, the Alfa Mito I drove had me recounting the many fun filled lateral adventures I had with it that day in my dreams at night. It was™dare I say it? A bloody good drive.
So it seems hardly surprising that my recent drive in the Alfa Romeo 159 Quadrifoglio Verde was a positive one as well.
Exterior
The most arresting aspect of the 159 has to be the intense expression that mesmerises you with its elegance while at the same time reminds you of the car's sporty muscular nature. The strong machismo is further underlined by the car's wide shoulders as well as the flared wheel arches in the front.
The car was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The famous Italian automobile designer is responsible for some of the most beautiful cars of the modern era.
So it seems hardly surprising that my recent drive in the Alfa Romeo 159 Quadrifoglio Verde was a positive one as well.
Exterior
The most arresting aspect of the 159 has to be the intense expression that mesmerises you with its elegance while at the same time reminds you of the car's sporty muscular nature. The strong machismo is further underlined by the car's wide shoulders as well as the flared wheel arches in the front.
The car was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The famous Italian automobile designer is responsible for some of the most beautiful cars of the modern era.
|
Some examples of his work include the 1997 Volkswagen W12 and 1972 Lotus Esprit. So esteemed is this Italian designer that Ferrari even built a one off GG50 just for him and of course Giorgetto penned the design himself.
Looking closely at the 159, one can almost see Giorgetto's pen strokes and how he leads your eyes along the length of the car. Where you take in the muscular creases and the high shoulder line.
The rear is kept clean with just a pair of slits that form the taillight housing giving the car a menacing expression even when viewed from the back.
|
A discrete cloverleaf badge next to the model badge identifies this as the special 2010 version. Upping the thrill factor are the pair of chrome tailpipes that peep out from the lower diffuser.
Fitted on the model here are the gorgeous 18 inch alloys that come as standard and sports a similar design to the ones fitted on the flagship 8C Competizione.
Framed by the alloys are the Brembo monobloc calipers finished in bright red. These combined with the car's elegant muscular design gives the car a menacing, aggressive stance.
Interior
First thing you notice about the Alfa's interior as you step in is how driver centric it is. Everything seems to be there for the driver's benefit (which is how all cars should be designed anyway).
The centre console here is tilted a few degrees towards the driver to allow easy access to the buttons and knobs.
The front seats are comfortably supportive with side bolsters to keep you in the thick of things when you're hamming it up in a corner. I loved the comfortably grippy yet beautifully contoured steering that will appeal to the minimalist.
The instrument cluster is dominated by a LCD screen backlit in red and shows the trip computer, range and gear status. Flanking both sides of the screen are the aluminium ringed dials that show essential info to the driver.
Fitted on the model here are the gorgeous 18 inch alloys that come as standard and sports a similar design to the ones fitted on the flagship 8C Competizione.
Framed by the alloys are the Brembo monobloc calipers finished in bright red. These combined with the car's elegant muscular design gives the car a menacing, aggressive stance.
Interior
First thing you notice about the Alfa's interior as you step in is how driver centric it is. Everything seems to be there for the driver's benefit (which is how all cars should be designed anyway).
The centre console here is tilted a few degrees towards the driver to allow easy access to the buttons and knobs.
The front seats are comfortably supportive with side bolsters to keep you in the thick of things when you're hamming it up in a corner. I loved the comfortably grippy yet beautifully contoured steering that will appeal to the minimalist.
The instrument cluster is dominated by a LCD screen backlit in red and shows the trip computer, range and gear status. Flanking both sides of the screen are the aluminium ringed dials that show essential info to the driver.
Despite the generous use of brushed aluminium on the centre console, the generally grey theme of the interior balances the cold metal well.
The audio deck is encased in the brushed aluminium surround in an almost industrial like charm that will appeal to minimalist freaks like yours truly.
The buttons here are all nicely finished and befitting of a car like the Alfa. They're large enough that you wouldn't have any mis-stabs. The lone 'start' button sitting on the top right does seem a tad awkward to find at first but shouldn't be a problem once you've accustomed to it.
In the rear, the bench allows three adults to sit abreast comfortably while providing adequate legroom even for a tall adult such as myself behind an equally tall driver. Rear passengers are also kept comfortable with their own aircon duct.
While there are no official figures for the boot volume, it does appear to be adequate enough to hold at least three golf bags though it might be a bit of a squeeze. It is a shame that the rear bench in the Alfa doesn't fold flat.
On a whole, the dashboard build quality is faultless while its design reflects the stylish elegance of the Alfa's exterior.
The audio deck is encased in the brushed aluminium surround in an almost industrial like charm that will appeal to minimalist freaks like yours truly.
The buttons here are all nicely finished and befitting of a car like the Alfa. They're large enough that you wouldn't have any mis-stabs. The lone 'start' button sitting on the top right does seem a tad awkward to find at first but shouldn't be a problem once you've accustomed to it.
In the rear, the bench allows three adults to sit abreast comfortably while providing adequate legroom even for a tall adult such as myself behind an equally tall driver. Rear passengers are also kept comfortable with their own aircon duct.
While there are no official figures for the boot volume, it does appear to be adequate enough to hold at least three golf bags though it might be a bit of a squeeze. It is a shame that the rear bench in the Alfa doesn't fold flat.
On a whole, the dashboard build quality is faultless while its design reflects the stylish elegance of the Alfa's exterior.
|
The Drive
Powered by a 2.2-litre 16V in-line, the nifty Alfa trots with 185bhp and 230Nm of torque. Enough to reward you with a peppy drive. Mash the accelerator and the red-blooded Alfa responds with a distinctive growl from its twin chrome tipped exhausts.
If you've made up your mind to buy an Alfa, you would've probably been told or experienced the quirks of the six-speed Selespeed box for yourself. The automated manual that requires you to treat it more like a manual than an auto.
The jerk experienced with every gear change can be minimised if you lift off as you clutch-in. I admit that it does take some getting used to but a hardcore enthusiast wouldn't be the least bit bothered by the quirks of this sexy lady.
To eliminate the jerks even further, one should drive the car in its sequential manual mode where gearshifts can be attempted through the gear lever or the steering mounted paddles.
Powered by a 2.2-litre 16V in-line, the nifty Alfa trots with 185bhp and 230Nm of torque. Enough to reward you with a peppy drive. Mash the accelerator and the red-blooded Alfa responds with a distinctive growl from its twin chrome tipped exhausts.
If you've made up your mind to buy an Alfa, you would've probably been told or experienced the quirks of the six-speed Selespeed box for yourself. The automated manual that requires you to treat it more like a manual than an auto.
The jerk experienced with every gear change can be minimised if you lift off as you clutch-in. I admit that it does take some getting used to but a hardcore enthusiast wouldn't be the least bit bothered by the quirks of this sexy lady.
To eliminate the jerks even further, one should drive the car in its sequential manual mode where gearshifts can be attempted through the gear lever or the steering mounted paddles.
Tight corners seem to be where the Alfa thrives as the beautifully weighted steering gives constant feedback that adds to the sedan's sharp cornering ability.
Conclusion
If you're put off by the rumours of reliability problems, the local distributor, EuroAutomobile, is so confident about the 159QV that it is offering a 100,000km or five-year warranty to put those rumours to rest.
If you're a passionate driver and a self-professed motorhead, you'll have to enter the Alfa Romeo brotherhood to know what the great motoring connoisseur aka Jeremy Clarkson is on about.
And frankly, there isn't another Alfa I'd like to be seen in™except for maybe the Brera.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Conclusion
If you're put off by the rumours of reliability problems, the local distributor, EuroAutomobile, is so confident about the 159QV that it is offering a 100,000km or five-year warranty to put those rumours to rest.
If you're a passionate driver and a self-professed motorhead, you'll have to enter the Alfa Romeo brotherhood to know what the great motoring connoisseur aka Jeremy Clarkson is on about.
And frankly, there isn't another Alfa I'd like to be seen in™except for maybe the Brera.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Photos by Benjamin G, Kline
Car Information
Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 Selespeed Quadrifoglio Verde (A)
CAT B|Petrol|10.8km/L
Horsepower
138kW (185 bhp)
Torque
230 Nm
Acceleration
8.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Alfa Romeo 159
Thank You For Your Subscription.
