Autodelta 159 J4 2.2 C debut at MPH08 Motor show
The latest, completely focused high performance sports sedan from Autodelta, the Autodelta 159 J4 2.2 C, will make its public motor show debut this evening as MPH08 opens its doors in the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, for four days of motoring thrills and sheer extravaganza. The Autodelta 159 J4 2.2 C made its world debut during an exclusive event held in Amsterdam in June and the MPH08 show, hosted as usual by BBC Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, will be the first time that this stunning car, which was commercialised on July 1, will have graced a public motor show.
For Autodelta, the leading global aftermarket Alfa Romeo design and tuning house, the MPH Motor Show is truly a ‘home' event, the spotlight-flooded halls of the Earls Court Exhibition Centre being just a stone's throw from our headquarters in Park Royal, London. We have exhibited at every edition of MPH since it kicked off in late 2003. MPH attracts the cream of high-performance cars – from Ferrari to Porsche, Aston Martin to Lamborghini, BMW to Spyker, it has it all, and we believe it is the perfect showcase for our products, pitting them against the best.
This year it's the turn of the 159 2.2 J4 to take to the stage. The integral theme of this project was to continue a long-standing tradition of applying forced induction principles to develop nothing less than the very ultimate expression of high performance motoring. Taking the already accomplished Alfa Romeo 159 2.2 JTS, and turning it into the ultimate performance machine, without compromising its comfort and luxury, was the goal. The Autodelta 159 J4 2.2 C once again makes big strides right across the sphere of engineering excellence, and applies the results of an intensive 18-month research and development programme, led by Head of R&D Sergio Truzzi, to Alfa Romeo's advanced direct injection JTS, making us the only company in the world to develop a forced induction solution for this power unit. The incorporation of the Rotrex C30-74 supercharger and a specifically-developed bespoke system boosts the 2.2-litre unit's maximum power from the standard 185 bhp up to 245 bhp, an increase of 60 bhp. Meanwhile, peak torque is raised from 230 Nm to 290 Nm, giving the vibrant sports saloon an extra 60 Nm of torque.
Whilst we are known for blistering performance, a point amply demonstrated during Time Attack at TT Circuit Assen (Netherlands) a fortnight ago, with the J4 project we wanted to see no compromise to the ride. The driver must remain cosseted in the Alfa 159's sumptuous interior, but must at the same time feel all the thrills expected by Autodelta drivers. The result is a potent, but refined ‘Grand Tourer' in the finest traditions of the brand; smooth, effortless power, we are delighted with the reception the car has received in just a few months.
This summer the Autodelta 159 J4 2.2 C became the third Alfa Romeo model to wear the prestigious J-series badge, and the first member of that exclusive ‘club', the Brera J5 3.2 C, will line up alongside its sedan sister on the Autodelta stand at the show this week. The success of the Brera J5 3.2 C, introduced in late 2005, and the instant demand it created, saw a revised version introduced earlier this year. The Brera J5 3.2 C ‘Model Year 2008' (MY) has been developed specifically for hot and tropical climate requirements and now incorporates an air-to-air intercooler mounted behind the front bumper. The revised supercharging system includes new mapping. The 3.2 V6 engine's power curve has been reworked to allow stronger performance at peak revs, which are now raised to 6,400rpm and peak power is 352 bhp (up by 4 bhp over the J5, and 92 bhp over the standard model) and improved torque which now is 435 Nm (up by 5 Nm) allowing even stronger motorway overtaking. 0-100 km/h is reached in 5.3 seconds while top speed of over 260 km/h is easily achieved.
