Alfa Romeo 159

The 159 is Alfa's answer to the BMW 3-series, Cadillac CTS and Audi A4, and like the A4 it offers a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive. Gasoline engines range from a 140 hp 1.8 liter 4-cylinder to a 260 hp 3.2 liter V6; diesels go from 120 hp to 210 hp, the latter a 2.4 liter 5-cylinder unit that produces a V8-like 295 lb-ft of torque and accelerates the 159 from 0 to 100 km/h (62 MPH) in 8.1 seconds -- just 1.1 seconds slower than the 3.2 V6. The 159 is based on a platform co-developed with General Motors, though so far only Alfa-Romeo has used the platform for a production vehicle.