Alfa 159 gets five-star safety

18 January 2006

Alfa Romeo's all-new 159 executive car has gained five stars for adult occupants in its Euro NCAP tests.

Alfa says the success of the car in the tests is, in a large part, due to its torsional rigidity, which it claims is the best in its class.

Its rating was also due to the new car's impressive safety equipment, which will include seven airbags, with the option of an eighth in many models.

Among these airbags are some which protect the occupants' knees, and side airbags which extend along the entire length of the side windows.

Occupants are also provided with pre-tensioners and load-limiters on the seatbelts, and the front seats have an anti-whiplash system which moves the head rests closer to the driver or passenger's neck during a rear impact.

The 159 scored four stars for child protection and one star for pedestrian protection.

Euro NCAP tests assess a vehicle in many different types of accident, including head- and side-on collisions, overturning, rear impacts and fire, and take into account the various speeds at which they may occur.

The 159 goes on sale in the UK on 15 February.

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