[ratatouille]

What happened to Q4? I noticed that the on ARUK website they dont mention any type of AWD for the brera or 159 any more, I thought this was supposed to be the next big thing and am sure I read in some review that it was meant to be better than Audis Quattro system? But now it seems to have vanished into oblivion, surely what the 159 range is missing is a 300bhp engine with an AWD or RWD version that still gets somewhere around 20MPG. That isn't too far fetched a thing to ask for is it?

 

[Guest]

What happened to Q4? I noticed that the on ARUK website they dont mention any type of AWD for the brera or 159 any more, I thought this was supposed to be the next big thing and am sure I read in some review that it was meant to be better than Audis Quattro system? But now it seems to have vanished into oblivion, surely what the 159 range is missing is a 300bhp engine with an AWD or RWD version that still gets somewhere around 20MPG. That isn't too far fetched a thing to ask for is it?

I think the problem is that there are dozens of people standing round waiting to pick up a V6 Q4 about 2 years old for 15 grand - but nobody prepared to buy one new for 30!

Q4 is still in the January 2010 UK price list for the Brera and Spider but has been dropped from the 159 range.

 

[earthquake]

The 159 is getting a bit tired now (yes I know we all think its beautiful but its falling behind the pack).

Hmmm....tired compared to? the contemporaneous Mazda 6 or Honda Accord? The A4 or 3 series? If one is impressed by LED day lights, 3D-effect instrument dials, 2010 "design languages" then I promise you they'll change their mind in a years time when even the Hyundai will sport such features.

Sometimes classic *unique* design is difficult to appreciate particular at this stage when a model is transitioning from new. For mine its the unique features that count - ie. the trapezoidal chrome handles, the amazing leather seats, the heart shaped grille, the subtle curves and creases, the stance etc.

I'm not having a go at you UKmike. I'd just like you to nominate what you consider to be the fresher cars out there right now and then we'll come back in a year and see if your opinion changes.
Sound reasonable?

 

[pthomps]

The 159 3.2 Q4s were dropped from the price list in 2008 - not sure why. I'm lucky enough to own a '56 reg, but they're certainly a rare beast. I'm hoping they'll be a 4WD version of the replacement to the 159.....

 

[Guest]

Ive found some photos of the new alfa Giulia Saloon!

Google Image Result for http://www.cubiccapacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2011-alfa-romeo-guilia-rendering-450x281.jpg

 

[Seasider]

Ive found some photos of the new alfa Giulia Saloon!

Google Image Result for http://www.cubiccapacity.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2011-alfa-romeo-guilia-rendering-450x281.jpg

I think you'll find that's actually a new photochop guess at what it may or may not look like

 

[AlfaSydney]

I wrote to an Alfa dealer (considering a 3.2 Ti) and was told the replacement is 2 years away. I don't trust car dealers, I have had my fingers burnt on incorrect information a couple of times....BUT, I really don't want to get a brand new car only to be stuffed on the resale a year later...In Sydney it's not so cheap either......

 

[earthquake]

Hi AlfaSydney,

For Australia I think it is at least 2 years away. Even if it was launched in Italy as early as say mid 2011, it'd be 1st qtr 2012 by the time the lhd makes it to UK and another 6 months later by the time it gets to Australia. The 159 didn't arrive in Australia till mid 2006.

 

[bomberesque]

it's so great to see a car company that actually gets the looks right first time!

shame they couldn't do the same with the working parts and the electricals! :lol:

actually that's more about the 156 than the 159, which seems to have been much better out of the blocks.

stretched Giulietta platform replacing the 159 makes some sense. Chassis development is there already cutting development costs and time. Hopefully they can answer some of the weight critics with the Giulietta (afaik, my 159 Q4 3.2 runs around 1760kg, 100-150 heavier than a 330i BMW although the fat git driving the beemer will close that gap a little ) can't see getting to 1300kg in a full sized Ncap rated saloon though, that sounds like raw speculation.

2012 in the italian calender will almost certainly mean 2013 for the rest of us, which would match my replacement plans (2014) aswell. roll on official renderings, I'm ready to fall in love over again!

 

[MarcG]

I wrote to an Alfa dealer (considering a 3.2 Ti) and was told the replacement is 2 years away. I don't trust car dealers, I have had my fingers burnt on incorrect information a couple of times....BUT, I really don't want to get a brand new car only to be stuffed on the resale a year later...In Sydney it's not so cheap either......

According to the Alfa releases a week or two ago, the Giulia is due mid 2012 and the 159 ceases production at the end of 2012.

Whether that actually relates to when you can buy a Giulia here, I don't know...

That is of course in Europe, I guess it would be longer for you?

 

[AlfaSydney]

According to the Alfa releases a week or two ago, the Giulia is due mid 2012 and the 159 ceases production at the end of 2012.

Whether that actually relates to when you can buy a Giulia here, I don't know...

That is of course in Europe, I guess it would be longer for you?

Thanks uczmeg, happy to hear that. I am sick of loosing cash on cars!!!

I actually test drove a 2.2 Ti - black on black, looked great and drove really nicely too! It is slow compared to the Aston but fast enough around town - in fact, you can pull away with a lot more confidence than the Aston. My 997 had the best traction ever but I am guessing the 3.2 Q4 will be even better than anything else I have owned in terms of traction.

I wrote to the dealer in order to have a car ready for when I arrived and was told that all Australian Ti's are black interior only....Here in Tokyo they have black and tan.
What I really want is the tan......

 

[amiger]

Here is a more reliable source:
http://www.fiatgroup.com/en-us/shai/iinfo/presentations/Documents/FGA_2010_2014-A_way_forward.pdf

 

[PR]

Amiger, thats good info :thumbs:

The Giulia will be (as said by others) on a stretched Giulietta C-EVO platform, which can be FWD and 4WD.

There is a 3.0v6 diesel on the way from Fiat, any petrol v6 will be chrysler pentastar derived.

It will be developed from scratch (or rather, from platform) in 18 months

It will be built in Turin at the Mirafiori plant.

 

[bomberesque]

now I look at that, page 12 suggests that the new Spider due in 2013 will be a JV with Chrysler ... perhaps made by them? not sure that will do anything for the Brera/spider weight issues

 

[steveisfrowning]

As much as I love the 159 front end, the back end is sober to the point of Passat-ism - could do with a refresh

 

[bomberesque]

As much as I love the 159 front end, the back end is sober to the point of Passat-ism - could do with a refresh

get a sport wagon then