[3][4][5] Introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show as a replacement for the 156, the 159 used the GM/Fiat Premium platform, shared with the Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider as well as the Kamal and Visconti concept cars.

[6] The 159's late transition to what was fundamentally made as an E segment platform resulted in the 159 having excessive weight, a problem shared by the Brera coupé and Spider.

The nose features a traditional Alfa Romeo V-shaped grille and bonnet, as well as cylindrical headlight clusters.

Several exterior design cues were intended to make the car appear larger, supposedly to appeal to potential buyers in the United States; where the 159 was ultimately never marketed.

The interior recalls styling elements from earlier cars, including the 156, such as deeply recessed instruments angled toward the driver.

Alfa Romeo intended for the 159 to compete more directly with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi by using higher-quality interior materials.

[9] For the 2009 model year, Alfa Romeo introduced a turbocharged petrol engine variant badge as "TBi", this 1,742 cc unit has direct injection and variable valve timing in both inlet and exhaust cams.

[citation needed] All petrol engines featured direct fuel injection (except the 1.8l), named as JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric).