Most cars in a Bond film are there to be driven by Bond. The Alfa Romeo 159 is there to chase him. In the opening sequence of Quantum of Solace, two black saloons pursue Daniel Craig’s Bond as he drives an Aston Martin DBS. The Alfa Romeo 159 from Quantum of Solace is an Italian four-door saloon that was never sold in the United States, and in our view it is one of the more interesting used saloons you can still buy.
In the film
The 159 appears in the opening sequence of Quantum of Solace (2008). Two black examples, driven by the villains, pursue Bond’s Aston Martin DBS. In the United Kingdom, Alfa Romeo marked the film with a James Bond Limited Edition 159.
The details of the Alfa Romeo 159
Drawn by Giugiaro. Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign styled the exterior, with Alfa’s own Centro Stile responsible for the interior. The V-shaped scudetto grille runs up into a sculpted bonnet, and each side of the nose carries three separate headlamp clusters. We think it looks like nothing else in its class.
Proportion. At 4,660mm long, 1,828mm wide and only 1,417mm tall, it is a long, low saloon with a high waistline that widens towards the rear pillar. The wheelbase is 2,700mm.
A cockpit angled to the driver. The dashboard follows the Alfa tradition of deep-set instruments turned towards the person at the wheel, with aluminium trim on the centre console rather than silver-painted plastic.
A wide range of engines. Petrol options ran from a 1.75-litre turbo four to a 3.2-litre V6, with 1.9, 2.0 and 2.4-litre diesels alongside. The 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 combined four-wheel drive with 260hp and a six-speed manual.
Recognised in its day. It placed third in the 2006 European Car of the Year awards. Production ran until November 2011, and 247,661 were built.
Owning it now
The 159 is a car for a man who wants an Italian saloon with real character and is not worried by what the neighbours drive. It suits long journeys better than short ones, and we think it looks best in a dark colour, as the film cars did. We would not put it on a list of cars for the practical; we would put it on a list of cars for the curious.
Which one to choose. If we wanted the most powerful car, we would look for the 3.2 V6 JTS Q4, which has four-wheel drive and 260hp. If we wanted something more modest, the naturally aspirated 2.2 JTS, at 185hp, is the one. Whichever you choose, have a specialist inspect it before you buy.
Weight. Kerb weights run from 1,385kg to 1,695kg depending on the version, a legacy of the platform it shares with the Brera and Spider. In our view it rewards a driver who enjoys flowing roads more than one who wants sharp reflexes.
Where to find one. The 159 was discontinued in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2011, so every one is a used car and there is no retail price to quote. The button on this page runs a search for it on eBay. Condition and history matter far more than the badge.
In the same spirit
If you would like a new saloon with some character, the Jaguar XF is a current alternative, and it plays a similar part in No Time To Die, chasing Bond through Matera. It is a different car, not the Alfa in Quantum of Solace.
Specifications
| Model code | 939 |
|---|---|
| Production | 2004–2011, Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy |
| Design | Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign (exterior); Centro Stile Alfa Romeo (interior) |
| Body | 4-door saloon (5-door estate also built) |
| Dimensions | Length 4,660mm, width 1,828mm, height 1,417mm, wheelbase 2,700mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,385–1,695kg depending on version |
| Platform and drive | Shared GM/Fiat platform; front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive |
| Engines | Petrol: 1.75 turbo, 1.8, 1.9 JTS, 2.2 JTS, 3.2 V6 JTS. Diesel: 1.9, 2.0 and 2.4 JTDm |
| Price | Not sold new; production ended 2011 |
Questions
Did Bond drive the Alfa Romeo 159 in Quantum of Solace?
No. The Alfa Romeo 159 is driven by the villains, who chase Bond’s Aston Martin DBS in the opening sequence. Two black saloons appear in the chase.
Was there a James Bond edition of the Alfa Romeo 159?
Yes, in the United Kingdom. Alfa Romeo released a James Bond Limited Edition 159 to mark the car’s appearance in Quantum of Solace.
Can you still buy a new Alfa Romeo 159?
No. Production ended in November 2011 after 247,661 cars, and the 159 was discontinued in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2011. Any car you find today is used, and our button searches eBay for them.
Which Alfa Romeo 159 is the best to buy?
The 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 is the most powerful, at 260hp with four-wheel drive, while the naturally aspirated 2.2 JTS is the more modest choice. Either way, have an Alfa specialist inspect the car first.
For more on the film, see Quantum of Solace and Daniel Craig, or browse the rest of our vehicles and films.
