What better way to unveil your most powerful diesel than at a racetrack surrounded by over 120 Italian cars and three beauty Queens? The 147 kW Alfa Romeo 2,4 JTDm Q4 knows how to make an entrance.
Of all the places to hold the launch of a new diesel model, the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is not the most conventional choice, but then Alfa Romeo would not consider its 159 2,4 JTDm Q-Tronic a run of the mill oil-burner.
The new car was unveiled against the glamorous backdrop of Saturday’s Alfa Romeo Kyalami Experience, with Fiat Auto SA CEO Mr. Giorgio Gorelli and commercial director Oscar Rivoli on hand for the presentation. Considering Alfa’s strong association with all things beautiful, it came as little surprise to see the recently crowned Miss Italia SA, Ornella Stocchi, as well as the first and second princesses of the competition, grace the stand for the launch of the most powerful JTD to date.
The 159 2,4 JTDm Q-Tronic first broke cover at this year’s Durban Motor Show in March, débuting the company’s new Q-Tronic automatic transmission.
This six-speed gearbox utilises a smart electronic control unit that makes more effective use of the engine’s performance, especially in town driving. The unit also features a sequential gearshift mode for sportier driving as well as additional Sport-Winter settings. In standard driving (when D is selected), gear changes are made at relatively low revs in order to ensure smoother shifts and improved fuel economy. Press the Sport-Winter switch, and the gearbox changes to a more aggressive shift pattern, better suited to sportier driving. Holding the same button down for a couple of seconds engages the Winter setting – a shift pattern that places emphasis on optimum grip in slippery conditions.
The new engine is derived from the existing common rail 2,4 JTD powerplant that did service in the 156 2,4 JTD. In this guise, the engine suitably impressed the CAR Magazine team back in October 2003 with a healthy output of 110 kW. The new unit is considerably more powerful, delivering 147 kW at 4000 r/min and 400 N.m of torque at just 2000 r/min This hike in power is courtesy of a number of changes to the unit, including a modified EGR cooling system and new settings for the variable geometry turbocharger that makes 90 percent of the peak torque available from between 1 750 and 3 500 r/min.
The 0-100 km/h sprint is reportedly executed in a respectable 8,4 seconds on the way to a 228 km/h top speed while fuel economy in the mixed cycle is a reasonable 6,8 l/100 km.
The price of this new model is expected to fall between that of the 2,2 JTS (R299 000) and the 3,2 Q4 (R376 000) and will include such specifications as – 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Dynamic Control, ASR, Hill Holder, Dual-zone climate control, Radio/CD front loader, Leather interior and 17-inch alloys.
The new model is covered by a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan as well as an AA Fleet care roadside assistance for 12 months. Service intervals (including oil changes) are only required every 30 000km.
It is also interesting to note that the Fiat Group has recently confirmed that it will build the 159 in China. The production of between 30 000 and 35 000 units will commence from Chery Auto’s Wushu plant, outside Shanghai, from 2009. Alfa’s coming out of China? Hard to fathom, but if someone told you a couple of years ago that Hummers would roll out of PE, the your reaction would be much the same.