Alfa Romeo 156

The Alfa Romeo 156, manufactured by Alfa Romeo, was introduced in 1997 as replacement for the 155. Its distinctive style with its high curved flanks made it, to some, the best looking car in it's class. For many, this is the car with the 'hidden' rear doorhandles which are now commonplace.

Alfa Romeo 156 won the European Car of the Year prize in 1998, described as having "very refined suspension layout so to offer an impeccable roadholding". The 156 is a highly developed front wheel drive car (crosswagon offers 4wd in LHD markets) with double wishbone front suspension and all independant multi link rear suspension. The engine range encopassed 4 cylinder Twin Spark 16 valve engines with Variable Valve timing, along with the 1.9 and 2.4 litre JTD turbo diesel engines which grew from 90 to 175bhp in the cars life. Until January 2001 the range topping engine was the venerable 2.5 litre quad cam 24 valve V6 engine, an engine with an aristocratic voice, but viewed by many as flawed in its installation so far forward in the 156.

A significant addition to the 156 range was the Sportwagon estate in 2000.

In February 2002 the 156 GTA and SportWagon GTA were launched. A 3.2l V6 with six speed gearbox, this car was aimed at the Audi S4 performance market. The GTA was subsequently stopped production in October 2005, citing poor sales and the upcoming replacement to the 156, the Alfa Romeo 159. The GTA boasted at least 250bhp on lowered and stiffened suspension, these cars all have a distictive body kit and elegantly stitched leather interior.

2002 also seen the arrival of a facelifted interior with different matt finish surfacing and chrome highlights, it also took advantage of the Alfa Romeo 147's dual zone digital climate control and CanBus serial wiring system. A wider range of options including xenon lighting, tele-infomatics and Bose hi-fi were now on offer.

Late 2003 saw the launch of a facelifted 156, this built upon 2002's interior improvements with a new front and rear design by Giugaro and are badged as such. There were also a wider range of interior colour options from this date. In the UK the 2.5V6 was deleted at this time and the GTA never recieved the exterior improvements.