Key to the 159's high safety rating is the high torsional rigidity of its bodyshell - best in its segment says Alfa - while it boasts as many as eight airbags (including special bags to protect the knees and sidebags that extend all along the window area), and innovative restraint systems (pre-tensioners on the clasps and decreasing load limiters on the seat belts).
The front seats also have an "anti-whiplash" device that brings the head restraint nearer to the occupant?s neck in the event of a rear impact.
This prestigious new saloon also features numerous electronic systems that control the car's dynamic behaviour, including a sophisticated Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC), Anti Slip Regulation (ASR), Hydraulic Brake Assistance (HBA) which cuts in during emergency braking, ABS complete with EBD, and a Hill Holder to simplify hill starts.
The Euro NCAP test, which includes side and offset frontal tests as well as pedestrian and child safety tests, saw the Alfa 159 get 34 points for adult protection (five stars out of five) as well as 38 points for child protection (four stars out of five) and 9 points for pedestrian protection (one star out of four)