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.