Spy Photos: 2007 Alfa 159 Spotted In Los Angeles

So I don't know very much about the Alfa, but I know there's a helluva large community of lovers of the Italian brand formerly known as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, now known as Alfa Romeo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fiat SpA since 1986. Yeah, because those two names sound like they've got the same soul, right? Anyway -- after Sergio Marchionne confirmed the automaker's return to US soil back in May, there's been much discussion about the vehicles we'd see over here -- with the 8C supposedly leading the way. Still, someone's been tooling around LA in what's purported to be a 149 159 -- a vehicle not expected to see the light of day until 2007 in Europe, much less on these shores. But, we've got the photographic evidence in the gallery below, and Alfa BB's mega-moderator, italcarguy's very enthusiastic impression below the jump. Salut!
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02WRX - 11/3/2006 12:09:09 PM

+1 Boost

B9 Tribeca + Style + Proportion = Alfa Romeo

EL34 - 11/4/2006 12:16:29 PM

+2 Boost

That nose is what Alfa's are all about and that Japanese company ripped it off and I'll bet when that Subaru gets a redesign it will have completely different look.

validus00 - 11/4/2006 1:11:53 PM

+2 Boost

the designer behind the current styling at subaru... guess where he worked before he moved to subaru?

you guessed it. alfa romeo.

wataboutbob - 11/3/2006 12:12:44 PM

0 Boost

what a gorgeous looking car... absolutely love the way the car looks on the outside.

I'm just hoping that the car is bolted right before being shipped to the States.

mstangpny07 - 11/3/2006 4:53:12 PM

0 Boost

agreed

EL34i - 11/3/2006 1:10:40 PM

-2 Boost

It's almost as drop-dead gorgeous as the Buick Lucerne!

speedmaster - 11/3/2006 4:04:58 PM

+2 Boost

I meant to direct my reply to EL34i.

This car is gorgeous. You lack any discretion for Italian art.

neutral - 11/3/2006 1:45:00 PM

+1 Boost

This car is gorgeous. I have wanted one for so long.

speedmaster - 11/3/2006 4:03:41 PM

+1 Boost

you seriously lack any taste

Matthew1 - 11/3/2006 11:25:32 PM

+2 Boost

EL34i is known for his slightly-humorous automotive-related sarcasm.

Matthew1 - 11/3/2006 11:33:31 PM

+1 Boost

Anyway, sat in the 159 the other day, and the interior quality is VERY good. Everything feels so solid, and the billeted-aluminium on the centre console is classy in its execution and substantial in its feel.

Alfa Romeo really have done well with the 156 replacement, retaining the classy Alfa character which I feared may have been lost with the loss of Alfa's own glorious V6.

By all accounts, the new Alfa-fettled, Holden-built 3.2 unit retains that Italian character by way of a modified exhaust system and and a new head with some internal work to boot.

And that V6 coupled to Alfa's Q4 AWD system and you have a stunning looking alternative to the A4 and 3-Series.

wataboutbob - 11/5/2006 12:05:06 AM

+3 Boost

"Anyway, sat in the 159 the other day, and the interior quality is VERY good. Everything feels so solid..."

I don't doubt that the interior, while surely not upto Audi standards, retains its own character. I'm sure they still use Benzine and Aqua to indicate fuel and water and thats the charm of the Alfa.

Having said that, I had a 147 Selespeed for 2 years. The car was a riot and the paddle-shift was fun, irrespective of Jeremy Clarkson slagging it at every opportunity. But in the 2 years, the electrical died on me twice and unfortunately for the poor soul who bought it from me, the engine blew up 3 months after he bought it....

S4cabriofox - 11/4/2006 12:20:49 AM

+1 Boost

EL34i is just a mockery of EL34- they're not the same person.

This is unbelievably beautiful, especially for a family car!

The interiors in current Alfas remind me of Maserati Coupé interiors.

BMW530i - 11/4/2006 8:08:27 AM

-1 Boost

Beautiful. I want Alfa back here in the US.

Finally a mainstreamer with style. I'm getting bored of seeing all these Camry's and Accord's driving around. Total sleeping pills due to their passionless designs.

Too bad that Alfa's will probably be sold as semi-luxury cars here in the US (competing against Saab and Volvo) even though they're mainstream vehicles in Europe.

CarNut - 11/4/2006 10:55:22 AM

-3 Boost

hope they completely move to the US.. cant stand looking at those POS.. very ugly in my opinion

EL34 - 11/4/2006 12:17:35 PM

+2 Boost

Anyone remember when Acura ripped off Alfa with the two little round head lights?

S4cabriofox - 11/5/2006 2:18:37 AM

+2 Boost

Yes, with the second or third-gen Acura Integra.

My wife had an Integra when we got married... that was a fun little car. It's a shame, then, that the Integra/RSX was discontinued.

Aldairion - 11/10/2006 3:21:13 PM

+1 Boost

Can't wait until this gets here...I'll snatch one up in a second.