Having been lurking in the shadows of the compact executive car market for so many years now, Alfa Romeo's 159 is coming back for another fight and while you won't see any changes to the exterior metal (a good thing in our book) it has taken a good step forward in the performance department, particularly at the bottom of the range.

Here, Alfa Romeo has installed its latest 1750cc turbopetrol engine, which develops 147kW between 4750 and 5500rpm and 320Nm of twist from 1400rpm.

The advanced direct injection motor boasts continuously variable valve timing and a scavenging control system. Effective scavenging is achieved by monitoring and optimising, instant by instant, the engine operating parameters of fuel dosage, valve, ignition and injection timing to make better use of the turbocharger. According to claims, it'll dart from 0-100km/h in just 7.7 seconds and reach 235km/h.

Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo's 191kW/322Nm direct-injection 3.2-litre V6 engine soldiers on at the top of the range and while the engine itself hasn't been changed, it is now available without the Q4 all-wheel drive system when mated to the six-speed manual gearbox. AWD is still standard on the six-speed automatic version.

The drivetrain changes also usher in a new line of specification levels, namely Progression, Distinctive and TI.

The entry-level Progression trim level is available only on the 1750 TBi and it offers 17-inch alloy wheels, electronic key with start button, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, sport '3D' fabric upholstery, trip computer and leather multifunction steering wheel.

The new Distinctive Trim on the 3.2 (manual and auto) adds electrically folding heated wing mirrors, interior trim inserts in black aluminium, leather/fabric combo upholstery, sports instrumentation with white backlighting and multifunctional display, Blue&Me hands-free communication system with USB port, rain sensor, light sensor and electrochromatic mirror.

The sporty Ti trim, on the other hand, is available with both engines and receives a bespoke body kit comprising a special Ti exhaust, lowered sports suspension, red Brembo brake callipers and 18-inch turbine-design alloy wheels finished in matt black.

Inside the cabin it adds sports leather/alcantara upholstery, heated front seats with extra adjustment, sports pedals and red stitching on the leather sports steering wheel and gear knob.

All models are sold with seven airbags and an arsenal of active safety equipment, while aftermarket peace of mind is sorted by a five-year/150 000km warranty and six-year/105 000km service plan, with intervals pegged at 35 000km.

PRICING:

1750 TBi Progression - R340 000

1750 TBi Ti - R370 000

159 3.2 V6 Distinctive - R398 500

159 3.2 V6 Ti - R428 500

159 3.2 V6 Q4 Distinctive AT - R430 000

ALTERNATIVES:

Audi A4 2.0T Ambition (132kW) - R349 500

Audi A4 3.2 quattro (195kW) - R485 000

BMW 323i (140kW) - R374 071

BMW 330i (190kW) - R469 340

Honda Accord 2.4 Exec (148kW) - R356 700

Lexus IS250 S (153kW) - R429 900

Mercedes C200 Classic (135kW) - R379 000

Volvo S60 T4 (132kW) - R331 600