A new version of the Alfa 159 Sportwagon also makes its debut in Geneva, with a 2.4 JTDM 20v engine boosted to 210 bhp that delivers torque of 400 Nm at 1500 rpm. The torque delivery, which reaches its peak at very low engine revs, highlights the car’s prompt response to the accelerator pedal. With this engine, the car reaches a top speed of 226 km/h (224 km/h for the Sportwagon) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds (8.6 for the Sportwagon). It adopts an evolved version of the Alfa permanent 4x4 system with three differentials (with a Torsen C self-locking unit at the centre). The heart of this project is the ‘Alfa Romeo Q4 four-wheel drive’ system, which splits torque constantly and dynamically between the four wheels, reaching the highest levels of active safety and sportiness. The Torsen C self-locking differential sends drive torque 57% to the rear wheels and 43% to the front. The system also guarantees excellent traction in all grip conditions by automatically checking any slipping.
The torque split between the front and rear axles is modulated constantly by the Torsen C central differential on the basis of grip. This feature harnesses sportiness to enhance active safety. Modulation is mechanical, continuous and gradual, to enhance the perception of optimal, enjoyable, easy driving. There are no gaps in the torque delivery. Where grip is concerned, the behaviour adapts gradually and smoothly to changing road conditions. This ‘mechanical’ control is backed up by electronic stability control, which boosts performance and safety margins, in line with the Alfa Romeo philosophy.


The four-wheel drive car is the state of the art in technical terms and offers important advantages.
• Q4 permanent four-wheel drive with a Torsen C self-locking differential makes for better roadholding, entertaining driving and smooth responses. Other technological archetypes with electronically controlled joints do not achieve the optimal balance between understeer and oversteer or the smoothness that are innate in the Alfa 159, and translate into superb active safety.
• The torque split in favour of the rear axle makes driving even more entertaining, because it makes the car even easier to handle, without detracting in any way from stability during sudden lane changes on the motorway, or other emergency manoeuvres.
• The possibility of travelling safely when grip is poor without having to use electronics to split torque, enhancing the enjoyment of driving.

We could say that the Alfa 159 Sportwagon Q4 interprets four-wheel drive from the Alfa Romeo point of view: it is basically a ‘mechanical’ system enhanced by cutting-edge electronic technology to guarantee maximum comfort and entertainment, combined with superb performance and absolute safety.