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| Road Test: Alfa Romeo 159 (2006-) |
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| Compact Executive |
by: John Simister |
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Click for 159 Gallery
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| SAFETY AND SECURITY RATING: |
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The 159 has scored the full five stars for occupant protection in the Euro NCAP crash tests, with a good four for child occupant protection - it's matched the latest BMW 3-Series here. There's only one star for pedestrian protection, though.
All the usual boxes are ticked here, with up to eight airbags (all 159s have at least seven), active front head restraints to reduce whiplash, and stability control - Alfa Romeo calls it VDC rather than ESP - as standard. This Vehicle Dynamic Control includes a hill-holder device acting on the brakes to stop rolling back on a hill start. Tyre-pressure monitors are standard.
The lack of a mechanical steering lock improves the safety of the driver's knees (there's also a knee airbag) and the fact that the lock is electronic improves security. The pedals are designed to collapse under heavy impact, too.
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