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Our spies have spotted this prototype Alfa Romeo 149 running cooling system tests at the Nurburgring.
Although this mule looks like a Fiat Bravo from the rear, its disguised front-end is lifted straight from the forthcoming 149, a premium hatchback that will rival the likes of the Audi A3.
Despite extensive cladding around the front end, the 149’s next-generation Alfa family styling is obvious. The tapered headlights and outline of the front grille should bring cohesion with the recently u...Read the full article

 "...although this mule looks like a Fiat Bravo from the rear..."

 Bad Alfa!  Don't worry folks, it's not really a FIAT!
 

I'm sure it will look the business and hopefully will back up the looks with real substance.

I was considering a 159 recently, I believed Alfa's quality had improved. They're so beautiful both myself and my wife really wanted to believe they were a quality purchase despite some dynamic shortcomings etc.

So we popped into our nearest Alfa dealer and were handed the keys to a 159 straight off the delivery lorry, it wasn't even washed yet and there was still packing materials on the door etc. But then I got worried when the key fob wouldn't release the boot remotely. I stepped in and tried the interior release (on the roof), nothing. Looked around the back, no key slot, no button - nothing. I went back to the dealer and asked for assistance. It took him about 3 attempts to get the car started only after which the boot decided to release. I then sat into the drivers seat still hoping to absorb some of that Alfa charm as i looked at the quaint dials labelled in italian. But the dream shattered when i noticed the ceiling plastic was all scuffed and marked on this completly brand new car. A panel to the right hand side of the lower dashboard was loose and the plastic retainer about to fall on the floor. And around my feet were some bits of trim that had already lost the will to cling onto wherever they were originally attached. So won't be buying an Alf and I really wanted one. If an Alfa can't win the heart of an avid enthusiast in the showroom, what hope have they with "normal" buyers. Especially if you consider depreciation, poor dealer servicing, dubious reliability etc.

 

gsmithEIDW:

I was considering a 159 recently, I believed Alfa's quality had improved. They're so beautiful both myself and my wife really wanted to believe they were a quality purchase despite some dynamic shortcomings etc.

So we popped into our nearest Alfa dealer and were handed the keys to a 159 straight off the delivery lorry, it wasn't even washed yet and there was still packing materials on the door etc. But then I got worried when the key fob wouldn't release the boot remotely. I stepped in and tried the interior release (on the roof), nothing. Looked around the back, no key slot, no button - nothing. I went back to the dealer and asked for assistance. It took him about 3 attempts to get the car started only after which the boot decided to release. I then sat into the drivers seat still hoping to absorb some of that Alfa charm as i looked at the quaint dials labelled in Italian. But the dream shattered when i noticed the ceiling plastic was all scuffed and marked on this completely brand new car. A panel to the right hand side of the lower dashboard was loose and the plastic retainer about to fall on the floor. And around my feet were some bits of trim that had already lost the will to cling onto wherever they were originally attached. So won't be buying an Alf and I really wanted one. If an Alfa can't win the heart of an avid enthusiast in the showroom, what hope have they with "normal" buyers. Especially if you consider depreciation, poor dealer servicing, dubious reliability etc.

This is a real shame. Non of your findings happened on any of the test drives I had and subsequently I ordered my car. 56 plate bought new, now has 22k on the clock no problems.

The boot release issue you had. This has to be switched on via the toggle switch on the left stalk. This controls approx. 20 different things that you can access, all the details then come up on the screen between the rev counter and speedo. That is probably the reason the interior boot release did not work. The dealer should have given you a car that was registered for demo's.

There's something about Alfa Romeo, like Jaguar, that from the bottom of your heart makes you want them to do well (and not mess up). With Jaguar they've done amazingly to pull round the quality and top JD Power surveys but wrapped the quality in an old flat cap design package until recently!

With Alfa the outside packaging has been funky and sharp but the inside, both the quirky, plasticky interiors and lack of faith in the engineering and components is the turn off.

Maybe this possible Jag-Alfa tie-up platform share, and each others strong points rub off on each other, is a very, very good idea!