The 159 features sleek, sporty lines that make it elegant and dynamic. It uses a specially designed platform in collaboration with GM. The front end is dominated by the shield that inscribes itself in the apex of the engine hood and expresses all the aggressiveness typical of Alfa Romeo.

Built on the Premium platform, the car is a major flagship project that combines a sporty coupe line with that of an elegant sedan characterized by a very sleek body designed to meet both maximum aerodynamics and automotive safety. Peculiar is the rear trunk lid that gives the car a remarkably spacious and flexible luggage compartment and the beltline at the level of the rear wheels. Although the car's features are not as futuristic as many concept cars exhibited in the 2000s, the Visconti anticipates several stylistic features that will be undertaken by the automotive industry: the coupe-like body with tailgate anticipated the fashion for coupe cars with 4 doors; the low, rounded front end that has few ribs, characterized by the absence of edges even in the shape of the typical Alfa Romeo shield; and being ahead of schedule with respect to the approval standards set by crash tests for pedestrian crash safety.

The original 147 was designed by Walter de Silva and Wolfgang Egger. The 147 was facelifted at the end of 2004, to resemble the new 159 and Brera models, and Alfa Romeo Visconti concept car al designed by Giugiaro: new front grille, new headlights, new rear lights, and the interior was changed on all models besides the GTA version. A more powerful diesel engine arrived and the suspension was also tweaked.

The Toyota Alessandro Volta echoes the styling cues of mid-engine models of the past such as the BMW Nazca, the Alfa Romeo Schighera, and the Volkswagen W12. The Alessandro Volta is powered by a derivative of the hybrid system of the Lexus RX 400, which had deeply fascinated Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro, with a 3.3-liter V6 gasoline engine positioned close to the rear axle, not directly connected to the wheels. Motion is provided by two electric motors, one per axle, for 4x4 traction and increased safety. The Toyota Alessandro Volta, is an elegant 3-seater coupe, with a low roof that extends all the way to the rear of the car, ending sharply, a stylistic feature reminiscent of the 1964 Alfa Romeo Canguro. Just like the 2002 Alfa Romeo Brera, also designed by Giugiaro, the look is modern but not futuristic.