Another great decision by Alfa*

johnos1984

It seems Alfa Romeo in their infinite wisdom is no longer taking orders for the 159 and is aiming to end production in early 2012............the replacement isn't due until 2014 AT THE EARLIEST

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/alfa-romeo-159-production-to-end/259528

VolvoMan

What a stupid decision. Having a car in this segment is detrimental to a manufacturer like Alfa Romeo and it is going to leave a huge hole in the range until the Giulia arrives (whenevr that is).

The 159 could have been a successful car, it's just Alfa never made a go of it.

mickdw

They must have a mountain of them stored somewhere

bazz26

It only got updated earlier this year too. I haven't seen a whole lot of 11 reg models about to be honest, maybe they have enough rwd versions built to satisfy sales until the replacement arrives.

BTW slightly off topic but is the GT still being sold and is there any sign of a replacement? Current model is now hitting 8 years old and it is based on the old 147/156.

Edit, according to Wikipedia it finished production last year.

johnos1984

The 159 replacement - reportedly badged Giulia - is to be built on a new platform. It was meant to be here next year allowing a seamless switch from old car to new. However, Fiat's head mentalist Sergio Marchionne reportedly didn't like the styling and his objections have delayed the project so that it can have a facelift. This has totally knackered Alfa's shaky plans to return to the US and royally brassed off dealers over there who had signed up for a whole Fiat Group model range and invested heavily in their premises to reflect this only to find their sole offering for the next three years will be the distinctly niche Fiat 500.

pburns

johnos1984 wrote: »

The 159 replacement - reportedly badged Giulia - is to be built on a new platform. It was meant to be here next year allowing a seamless switch from old car to new. However, Fiat's head mentalist Sergio Marchionne reportedly didn't like the styling and his objections have delayed the project so that it can have a facelift.

I wonder has it the same roundy headlamps as the Mito & Giulietta? The weakest point of both cars is the new corporate headlamp arrangement - maybe they're rowing back on it for the Giulia?

The 159 could have been a big success if they hadn't made the platform so heavy. It became even more disadvantageous once economy and CO2 became a selling point. I think because of this carrying on with the 159 would be frankly embarrassing compared to the German opposition.

VolvoMan

bazz26 wrote: »

I haven't seen a whole lot of 11 reg models about to be honest, maybe they have enough rwd versions built to satisfy sales until the replacement arrives.

I presume you mean FWD?

johnos1984 wrote: »

However, Fiat's head mentalist Sergio Marchionne reportedly didn't like the styling and his objections have delayed the project so that it can have a facelift.

What does an accountant know about car styling?

Sergio is a whizz at running a car company by all means, but I wouldn't think he'd be a car guy.

johnos1984

VolvoMan wrote: »

What does an accountant know about car styling?
.

SFA

Eleganza

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2011/cars/alfa_romeo/08/159/1508.html

the panda is more vital to FIAT than the 159.

squod

pburns wrote: »

I wonder has it the same roundy headlamps as the Mito & Giulietta? The weakest point of both cars is the new corporate headlamp arrangement - maybe they're rowing back on it for the Giulia?

johnos1984

squod wrote: »

Is that an official image from Alfa or a not very similar photoshop for Auto Express.....The Sun of the motoring world?

pajo1981

This is fairly consistent with the e90's end of production schedule.

The only difference is BMW have a replacement ready to go.

pajo1981

squod wrote: »

Alfa Avensis GT.

squod

johnos1984 wrote: »

Is that an official image from Alfa or a not very similar photoshop for Auto Express.....The Sun of the motoring world?

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/alfa-romeo/2013-alfa-romeo-giulia-ar102091.html

Goolgle image search. It's Auto express's version alright

bazzachazza

Could you have picked a bigger image !

RobAMerc

if it looks like that I'll wait for it thanks - thats gorgeous!
if it ends up looking like that I'll eat my drivers license

Ardennes1944

careful Rob, jezza had to eat his own hair for a similar statement on the Astra gtc before
i think the 159 is a beautiful car and is looking more and more like my next car too, this is absolutely stunning imo http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2611383

bazz26

VolvoMan wrote: »

I presume you mean FWD?



What does an accountant know about car styling?

Sergio is a whizz at running a car company by all means, but I wouldn't think he'd be a car guy.

My mistake, actually meant right hand drive.

Absurdum

pajo1981 wrote: »

Alfa Avensis GT.

exactly what I thought, only with Panamera front lights

Cormic

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

careful Rob, jezza had to eat his own hair for a similar statement on the Astra gtc before
i think the 159 is a beautiful car and is looking more and more like my next car too, this is absolutely stunning imo http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2611383

Wow - Lovely car there.

alias no.9

Eleganza wrote: »

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2011/cars/alfa_romeo/08/159/1508.html

the panda is more vital to FIAT than the 159.

They're going to build the new Panda in Italy :eek:? Are they constrained by capacity in Poland with the current Panda, 500 and Ford Ka or has the gap in labour costs between Poland and Italy got smaller?

Lex Luthor

hopefully the Giulia wont look like that black rendition...nothing original or unique about it

This delay better be worth it...the timing will just about suit me as I'll probably be thinking of a change around 2014.

I never fell in love with the 159 after 10yrs of Alfa ownership, however the inside the Ti spec is a nice place to be