New Alfa Romeo models launched in Malaysia, including the Alfa 159 finally!
Alfa Romeo is back alive and kicking with a launch of 4 new models in Malaysia all at once. Spearheading the list and expected to the the company’s volume seller here is the long-awaited Alfa Romeo 159, priced at RM 188,888.
Under the hood is a 2.2 liter JTS inline-4 twin cam engine mated to a 6-speed Selespeed automated manual transmission. The JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) is a direct injection lean burn engine that puts out 185 PS at 6,500rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, which is quite torquey for a 2.2 liter unit.
The 159 has a decent level of equipment. We’re talking about a total of 9 airbags for the front, rear, side and driver knee, and there is also a front passenger airbag deactivation feature. Creature comforts include bi-xenon headlamps with washer, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto driving light control, follow me home headlamps, keyless ignition, rain sensor wipers, paddle shifts, stability control, an 8 speaker sound system, a sunroof, and full leather upholstery.
Internationally, there is a new engine for the 2009 model year and it would be nice if Sime Darby Autoconnexxion has plans to bring it in for future variants if they deem it suitable, we’re talking about the TBi engine, which is a 1.8 liter engine with direct injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust. It put outs 200 PS and 320Nm of torque (a 230 PS variant is also available for the Brera/Spider), so the two models could be differentiated like the Audi A4 1.8 and 2.0.
But in any case it looks like those who have been buying the Accord 2.4 and Mazda 6 2.5 (don’t think Camry 2.4 buyers are in the same category!) can now opt to shell out a little more and enjoy a sexy Italian beauty!
Next up is the Alfa Romeo GT Blackline Coupe, powered by a 165 horsepower 206Nm torque 2.0 liter JTS engine mated to a 5-speed Selespeed, priced at RM 218,888. This sleek coupe never fails to turn heads but mechanically it is not very different from the Alfa GT sold by the distributor’s previous incarnation, Sime Darby Auto Italia.
The GT is equipped with a BOSE Hi-Fi system with amp and subwoofer, a CD player with MP3 capabilities, xenon headlamps, 8 airbags, stability control, and sports seats.
The Alfa Romeo Brera Coupe is priced at RM 308,888 and is powered by the same 2.2 liter JTS engine as the 159 sedan. You’ve got 7 airbags, stability control, 6 speakers, rain sensor wipers, keyless ignition, bi-xenon headlamps, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats with heating for the driver’s seat, and leather upholstery.
The flagship and most expensive car is the 2-seater Alfa Romeo Spider, also powered by the 2.2 liter JTS and 6-speed Selespeed. It’s priced at RM 318,888 and is essentially a soft top convertible version of the Brera.
The Spider’s equipment includes keyless ignition, rain sensor wipers, cruise control, paddle shifts, 6-speakers, bi-xenon headlamps with washer, heated driver’s seat, stability control, and 5 airbags for the front and sides of the 2 passengers including a driver’s knee airbag.
There is more coming. The cute little hatch called the MiTo will be coming later this year to give the MINI Cooper and the Fiat 500 some competition. Look after the jump for full galleries the bellas, including a few promo videos of the 159 and GT.
Alfa Romeo 159
Alfa Romeo GT Blackline
Alfa Romeo Brera
Alfa Romeo Spider
VIDEO: Alfa Romeo 159 – Promo 1
VIDEO: Alfa Romeo 159 – Promo 2
VIDEO: Alfa Romeo 159 – Promo 3
VIDEO: Alfa Romeo 159 – Promo 4
VIDEO: Alfa Romeo GT – Promo
May 10, 2009 @ 9:35 am
Cool!
May 10, 2009 @ 10:10 am
wah, really nice… i really like Alfa Romeo design since I was schooling, combination of Italian art and automotive technology.
May 10, 2009 @ 10:30 am
OMG! I can’t believe it!
May 10, 2009 @ 10:34 am
the GT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! damn sexy…………..
May 10, 2009 @ 11:27 am
is that this car that they used in James Bond’s film Quantum of Solace? superb!!
May 10, 2009 @ 11:56 am
I already have those cars…..die cast models that is.
hell, these cars look great even when they are die casts….
May 10, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
i wonder when would proton transform their Perdana with this kind of stuff like…. stability control, 6 airbags, rain sensor wipers, keyless ignition, bi-xenon headlamps, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats with heating for the driver’s seat, and leather upholstery. HEHE….
May 10, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
the engine should be bigger at least for brera,spider and gt. 2.2 for a sports car..kinda weak. but the design..the aura..thumbs up!
May 10, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
2.2l for 230ps is good enough..at least for me..finally we can see brera on our road..
May 10, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
Arriving our market very very late…
May 10, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
What a colossal waste of money… speaking from resale value POV of course. But the cars are sex on wheels…. *sigh* why am i not rich enough.
May 10, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
I also can’t believe they released the new models here. BRERA!!!!!!!
Now I hope they bring in the Ford Focus RS *hehe*
May 10, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
[quote comment="237238"]the engine should be bigger at least for brera,spider and gt. 2.2 for a sports car..kinda weak. but the design..the aura..thumbs up![/quote]
yess…if they bring the 3.2 model..the money oso big 1..hehe..btw..nice…now i jz onli stare at 159 onli coz of their late arrive in bolehland..i canceled and bought the a4…btw…go go alfa…
May 10, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
oh yeah….say no to expensive honda ant toyota……..cheers…..
May 10, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
the savvy rear design…
May 10, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
very hard to resist . this purchase is purely based on heart rather than mind !
May 10, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
The Sexiest ever car..abosultely irresistible cutting edge exterior design of alfa romeo brera..damn fascinating…..lolz..
May 10, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
Hopefully the Selespeed gearbox won’t keep breaking down like the one in the 156 – my dad had one and the gearbox totally ruined the car for us; we had to send it back the Milan Auto about twice a month to fix and we once caused a massive traffic jam in Jalan Ampang when the gearbox died during rush hour…
May 10, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Can’t wait to see one of these on the road.
May 10, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
Brera is damm good looking. Only pitty price also damm good looking
I don’t really think the Mito has any good looks. The radiator is weird. Even though its still the snake skin themed, looks weird on a car with that big nose.
May 10, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
Paul, I couldn’t get it. Why are you saying “But in any case it looks like those who have been buying the Accord 2.4 and Mazda 6 2.5 (don’t think Camry 2.4 buyers are in the same category!) can now opt to shell out a little more and enjoy a sexy Italian beauty!”? It is because of the performance wise?
May 10, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
It’s a matter of taste… but i will go for Mazda 6 2.5 every time.
May 10, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
The values that a Camry buyer is looking for in a car goes against the Alfa Romeo brand.
May 10, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
i have had the privilege to sit in a Alfa GT, and let me tell you, the pictures doesn’t do it justice! Its a beautiful car (both the interior & exterior) and no Japanese car can even come close to it (in terms of design la, reliability….) and is definitely a chick magnet! The 159 also looks damn beautiful.
May 10, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
nice move. 4 models in one shot. however, the brand power is still not as powerful as the japs so i dont expect high sales volume for these cars.
but, good thing is these cars are absolutely stunning and head turners. so you can enjoy the “dick” factor. LOL.
May 10, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
cheap and cheerful italian engineering at crazy rock bottom price. we can now be the baddies in the 007 to give a bad hair day to mr bond. the 159 has entered a market that is closer to the honda civic type-r, except its a car of its own class. seriously for an italian car and for the torque it has compared to the type-r, this one can be a value for money car
May 10, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
Ic .. thanks,
Phew .. 159 .. damn gorgeous.
May 10, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
[quote comment="237240"]2.2l for 230ps is good enough..at least for me..finally we can see brera on our road..[/quote]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.
May 11, 2009 @ 12:31 am
i think the vw gti mk6 or vw scirocco will beat any of these alfa to 100kmh and 200kmh…
May 11, 2009 @ 1:36 am
[quote comment="237363"]i think the vw gti mk6 or vw scirocco will beat any of these alfa to 100kmh and 200kmh…[/quote]
what vw gti mk6? wait until you see the upcoming alfa romeo 149 (project 940).
vw scirocco is more likely competing against alfa romeo GT.
currently, the fastest alfa romeo sport car is the exotic limited edition 8c competizione. wonders any unit reaches asean shores?
May 11, 2009 @ 4:29 am
Once upon a time, long-long time ago, i really hate alfa romeo’s front design, because too ugly.
But now, the design of newer alfa is damn smexy
May 11, 2009 @ 6:29 am
[quote comment="237354"][quote comment="237240"]2.2l for 230ps is good enough..at least for me..finally we can see brera on our road..[/quote]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
plz compare apple with apple la bro…
May 11, 2009 @ 9:09 am
The Alfa 159 should have arrived 3 – 4 years ago, as it was introduced in Europe about the same time as BMW E90.
As for the Brera, the only different thing from the the 159 is the rear end, but costs more about RM 100K more??? Plus useless rear seat?? Can’t see the point.
Alfa should have soldier on with only the GT for the coupe segment, or at least introduced a redesigned the GT, as it was a very practical coupe. Brera/Spider are a complete waste for Alfa!
May 11, 2009 @ 9:33 am
Paultan;
159’s price very competitive despite of CBU status. BTW Paul, is their Selespeed now reliable already? Pity such a good looking car, reasonable price, decent handling pedigree with soul BUT lack of quality (not even come close to Proton).
Accord 2.4 vs Mazda 2.5 vs Pug 407 vs Alfa 159.
May 11, 2009 @ 9:46 am
Very Sexy Car!! But consider after sales service.
May 11, 2009 @ 11:15 am
stupid proton again
May 11, 2009 @ 11:21 am
Paul,
Will you be reviewing any of these cars soon? I’m particularly interested in the Alfa 159 and how it drives here in our Malaysian environment.
May 11, 2009 @ 11:29 am
where the hell u ppl see 230ps?
2.2 engine only puts out 180hp
May 11, 2009 @ 11:43 am
[quote comment="237354"]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
for a start, the 159 is not a sports car, and its 185ps, and 230nm. also, the value of the car shouldnt be judged by its engine size.. if you wanna go that route, how do you justify a mercedes costing way over 200k running a 1.8 litre engine albeit supercharged?
and btw, alfa 159 = RM188,888 VW R32 =RM302,000.
May 11, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
The Alfa GT is very nice looking, only better with the 3.2 V6 engine then comparable to BMW 335 Ci , Mazda RX8 or Audi S5.
May 11, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
the simile face remind me the japanese animate, he… he… he… a bad guys from drogonball world.
May 11, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
OH YES YES YES!!!!! Yo Sime Darby, how much discount I can get if 1 buy all 4 models at one shot??? My prayer has been answered, the 159 is finally here, Amen……
May 11, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
Sweet Brera, if only the pricing policy in this country is like Arab states… Damn you Italians for creating such stirring beauty I can’t afford!
May 11, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
[quote comment="237478"][quote comment="237354"]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
for a start, the 159 is not a sports car, and its 185ps, and 230nm. also, the value of the car shouldnt be judged by its engine size.. if you wanna go that route, how do you justify a mercedes costing way over 200k running a 1.8 litre engine albeit supercharged?
and btw, alfa 159 = RM188,888
VW R32 =RM302,000.[/quote]
I think our friend there has gotten his cars mixed up.
I think he meant Golf GTI.
Sex on wheels.
Too bad they are FWD (damn good ones at that) but the new turbo motor would be real icing if they did bring those in.
It is actually quite good value for money, this being a full CBU. It looses nothing to the CKD Accord 2.4 and only being a few more grand more. Camry buyers are in thier own world.
May 11, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
it’s not that beauty…
May 11, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
[quote comment="237447"]Paultan;
159’s price very competitive despite of CBU status. BTW Paul, is their Selespeed now reliable already? Pity such a good looking car, reasonable price, decent handling pedigree with soul BUT lack of quality (not even come close to Proton).
Accord 2.4 vs Mazda 2.5 vs Pug 407 vs Alfa 159.[/quote]
u heard the story which is happen 6-7 yrs back tho…now the problem is oredi solved..i own 1 of the alfa car till now..almost 8 yrs still not gv any problem for me…so..its a bit manje but if u really take care of it..theres no problem at all..dont say onli alfa..even bimmer,merc,audi n even proton itself..if u care abt them..so..no problem at all..so…if u want alfa jz go for it la…test it urself…n u judge it..
me oso heard that story b4 i own 1..but hey…no problem at all till now..still smooth n enjoy to drive then…
May 11, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
[quote comment="237413"][quote comment="237354"][quote comment="237240"]2.2l for 230ps is good enough..at least for me..finally we can see brera on our road..[/quote]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
plz compare apple with apple la bro…[/quote]
U want me to compare an apple with an apple? a vw r32 and vw r32? are u saying that vw and alfa romeo is not in the same league? it’s vw and alfa..not alfa and proton. and i’m saying that vw is a sports car with 3.2 v6 engine..and the price is rm302k..while alfa is 2.2 also rm300k..so if u ask primary student also they knew whats the best. its vw..not a proton. its vw..still a conti car. still belongs to an apple family.
May 11, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
[quote comment="237478"][quote comment="237354"]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
for a start, the 159 is not a sports car, and its 185ps, and 230nm. also, the value of the car shouldnt be judged by its engine size.. if you wanna go that route, how do you justify a mercedes costing way over 200k running a 1.8 litre engine albeit supercharged?
and btw, alfa spider 2.2JTS = RM318,888 <–edited.
VW R32 =RM302,000.[/quote]
bro..did u read the post completely? the 2.2 engine is also use for brera and gt. i’m refering to the gt,spider and brera. dont talk as if i’m stupid that i dont know how to differentiate between a sedan and a sports car. and i know the alfa got the 3.2jts engine for gt and brera..i’m only talking abt why the price of 2.2 engine is almost same with 3.2 golf r32. it’s a vw car..a well known conti car. and if u talking abt merc with 1.8 engine..pls..u’r comparing a merc and a honda..that one i know..but i’m talking abt a vw and alfa romeo. vw is not a jap car.
May 11, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
[quote comment="237537"][quote comment="237478"][quote comment="237354"]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
for a start, the 159 is not a sports car, and its 185ps, and 230nm. also, the value of the car shouldnt be judged by its engine size.. if you wanna go that route, how do you justify a mercedes costing way over 200k running a 1.8 litre engine albeit supercharged?
and btw, alfa spider 2.2JTS = RM318,888 <–edited.
VW R32 =RM302,000.[/quote]
bro..did u read the post completely? the 2.2 engine is also use for brera and gt. i’m refering to the gt,spider and brera. dont talk as if i’m stupid that i dont know how to differentiate between a sedan and a sports car. and i know the alfa got the 3.2jts engine for gt and brera..i’m only talking abt why the price of 2.2 engine is almost same with 3.2 golf r32. it’s a vw car..a well known conti car. and if u talking abt merc with 1.8 engine..pls..u’r comparing a merc and a honda..that one i know..but i’m talking abt a vw and alfa romeo. vw is not a jap car.[/quote]
read your post completely la. you never mentioned which model. now its clear la.
May 11, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
[quote comment="237536"][quote comment="237413"][quote comment="237354"][quote comment="237240"]2.2l for 230ps is good enough..at least for me..finally we can see brera on our road..[/quote]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
plz compare apple with apple la bro…[/quote]
U want me to compare an apple with an apple? a vw r32 and vw r32? are u saying that vw and alfa romeo is not in the same league? it’s vw and alfa..not alfa and proton. and i’m saying that vw is a sports car with 3.2 v6 engine..and the price is rm302k..while alfa is 2.2 also rm300k..so if u ask primary student also they knew whats the best. its vw..not a proton. its vw..still a conti car. still belongs to an apple family.[/quote]
Aiyo…compare apple to apple also dun know? Just merely compare alfa romeo and VW is called apple to apple because they are conti? Then compare skoda lar…hahahahaha…
what ppl mean is compare similar kinda pricing, performance, etc….otherwise you might as well compare to Ferrari!!!
May 11, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
[quote comment="237536"][quote comment="237413"][quote comment="237354"][quote comment="237240"]2.2l for 230ps is good enough..at least for me..finally we can see brera on our road..[/quote]
230ps for most of us is ok..considering that i ony drive 86hp myvi..but looking from a sports car pov..and the price…2.2 is kinda small and expensive..i think vw golf r32 more worth to buy.[/quote]
plz compare apple with apple la bro…[/quote]
U want me to compare an apple with an apple? a vw r32 and vw r32? are u saying that vw and alfa romeo is not in the same league? it’s vw and alfa..not alfa and proton. and i’m saying that vw is a sports car with 3.2 v6 engine..and the price is rm302k..while alfa is 2.2 also rm300k..so if u ask primary student also they knew whats the best. its vw..not a proton. its vw..still a conti car. still belongs to an apple family.[/quote]
ok..i dun want to be rude..i dun say that u hv to cmpare vw r32 and vw r32..wut i meant of apple to apple..u should compare vw r32 ( performance car) with alfa romeo performance car ( GTA model)..do u get it now???n sorry if i hv to be rude here…the brera is in different segment..sooooo…u have to compare the car with audi tt,nissan 350 z…which as u can c…..audi tt with a basic model is arnd 300k n above..correct me if im wrong….soo..if u want to compare the vw r32 which is 300k..u should compare the car with alfa 147GTA with 300k price tag..do u get it sir..so..will u agree that??u still wrong if u compare brera with r32 bcoz they re not in d same segment tho…u makes me laugh dude…thats what im trying to said to u b4…plz low your ego abit bro…
May 11, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
owh..another thing..like u said…2.2 engine with 230 hp..and 3.2 engine with around that hp…i bet most malaysian will go for brera instead of r32 coz no need to spend alot of money on road tax…think about it again..but its nt gonna happen coz 2.2 only manage to produce 180hp onli
May 11, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
BMW better design and speeds
May 11, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
[quote comment="237575"]BMW better design and speeds[/quote]
bmw die hard fan..lol.
May 12, 2009 @ 11:11 am
finally the cure for my sore eyes from seeing the sea of boring camrys and accords.
June 14, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
Test drove C-class, 320i & A4. Decided to buy A4 but…hold on to your horses, Alfa’s 159 is something different from the German marquees.
Test drove the 159 recently. Took 4 laps with the sales consultant near Mount Kiara highway. Mann…..the driving was totally different. You can feel the raw power and the seductive lines in and out of the car, the engine sound, the Italian leather at the price of below RM 200K…..can’t compare with the other European marquees. You guys should have a go at it. Definitely a WOW factor!!!!
A very unique gear system. No time to waste on the frills of non-essential items of the electronic gadgets like other cars. Concentrate on enhancing a pure driving pleasure.
June 26, 2009 @ 3:47 am
Have a 3.2 V6 Q4 sv Brera and have had three 2.4 156 jtd.
Love the cars and a great looking motor with good performance turn heads every day not like boring BMWs which are so common.
August 13, 2009 @ 11:31 am
It’s lovely car with attractive price, honestly said…but it’s bad reputation in sales service that put the Alfa image down I must say…it’s in Malaysian mindset already..and that’s why hardly see alfas on the road….