Alfa Romeo 156
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| Alfa Romeo 156 | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Alfa Romeo |
| Parent company | Fiat Group |
| Production | 1997-2006 |
| Assembly | Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy Rayong, Thailand[1] |
| Predecessor | Alfa Romeo 155 |
| Successor | Alfa Romeo 159 |
| Class | Compact executive car |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door estate |
| Layout | FF layout four-wheel drive (estate) |
| Engine | Petrol: Diesel: |
| Transmission | 5 and 6-speed manual Sequential manual
4-speed automatic
|
| Wheelbase | 2595 mm (102.1 in.) |
| Length | 4430 mm (174.4 in.) |
| Width | 1745 mm (68.7 in.) |
| Height | 1415 mm (55.7 in.) |
| Track | 1511 mm (59.4 in.) (front), 1498 mm (58.9 in.) (rear) |
| Curb weight | 1230-1485 kg (2709-3270 lb) |
| Related | Alfa Romeo GT Alfa Romeo 147 |
| Similar | Volvo S40 Saab 9-3 Audi A4 BMW 3 Series |
| Designer | Walter de'Silva Giorgetto Giugiaro (Facelift) |
The Alfa Romeo 156 (known internally as the type 932) is a compact executive car introduced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo in 1997 as the replacement for the 155. Its distinctive style with its high curved flanks, retro styled front door handles, hidden rear door handles, dramatic deep grill and sweeping profile made it, to some, the best looking car in its class. This is the car that introduced 'hidden' door handle to the mainstream, although these were first utilised on the Fiat Coupe back as far as 1994 the idea of using them on the rear doors was new and had the effect of converting a saloon car into a coupe lookalike. Cars were assembled at Fiat Group factory in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy and GM's facility in Rayong[1], Thailand (short period for Asian markets). In 1998 was also available factory built 156 Group N version for the track.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The 156 was a highly developed front-wheel drive car (the Cross/Sport Wagon Q4 offered four-wheel drive in left-hand drive markets) with a double wishbone front suspension and McPherson type rear suspension.[3] The engine range encompassed 4-cylinder Twin Spark (1.6 120 PS, 1.8 144 PS and 2.0 155 PS) 16 valve engines with variable valve timing, along with the L4 1.9 8v (105, 110 and 115 PS) and L5 2.4 10v (136, 140 and 150 PS) JTD turbodiesel engines. Until January 2002, the range-topping engine was the venerable DOHC 2.5 L 24-valve V6 engine rated at 190 and after 2001 192 PS. 2002 saw the introduction of the 2.0 L JTS engine, a common rail direct injection unit offering more low end torque and more power (165 PS) than the Twin Spark.
A significant addition to the 156 range was the Sportwagon station wagon in 2000, a first attempt at an estate car of this size for the company. Sportwagon was also available with Boge-Nivomat self-levelling hydropneumatic rear suspension.[3]
In 2001 engines were upgraded, engines complied with Euro3 norm and outputed 120 PS (1.6), 140 PS (1.8), 150 PS (2.0) and 192 PS (2.5).
In February 2002, the 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA were launched. Equipped with a 3.2 L V6 with six-speed manual transmission or Selespeed (paddles in steering wheel, hydraulically operated clutchless manual gearbox), the GTA variants were aimed at the performance market. The GTA subsequently stopped production in October 2005, citing poor sales and the upcoming replacement to the 156, the Alfa Romeo 159. The GTA variants boasted at least 250 PS, had a lowered and stiffened suspension, a distinctive body kit and leather interior.
2002 also saw the arrival of a facelifted interior with different matte-finish surfacing and chrome highlights. The 165 PS (2.0 JTS) replaced the 2.0 L Twin Spark engine, diesel engines were also uprated. New version used the 147's dual-zone digital climate control and CanBus serial wiring system. A wider range of options including xenon lighting, tele-informatics and a Bose stereo system were available. Also ESP and slip control ASR came as standard.
Late 2003 saw the launch of a facelifted 156, with new front and rear fascias designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. There was also a wider range of interior colour options from this date. This mid-life facelift divided opinion with some preferring the prettier pre-facelift look with others singing the praises of the newer more aggressive demeanour of the latter models. The GTA models never received the exterior update. Diesel engines suffered a major re-working, new 4v/cylinder heads were added, second stage common rail injection with 1400bar maximum injection pressure with up to 5 injections per cycle for lower noise, consumption and higher performance. They were rated at 140/150 PS for L4 1.9 16v and 175 PS for L5 2.4 20v.
In 2004, four-wheel drive versions arrived to some markets, which were known as the Crosswagon Q4 and Sportwagon Q4 (both using the 1.9L 150 PS JTD engine). These cars were equipped with a Torsen four-wheel drive system and raised ride heights (Crosswagon 65 mm higher and Sportwagon 20 mm).[4]
The 156 sedan was discontinued late in 2005 in Europe, Q4 Crosswagon is still in production, 156 is to be phased out in other markets in 2006 with the forthcoming 159, which also spawned the Brera, the 2-door coupe that replaces the GTV along with its convertible sister the new Spider.
[edit] Engines
[edit] Petrol
| Model | Engine | Volume | Power | Torque | 0-100 km/h | km/h | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 TS | I4 | 1598 cm³ | 88 kW (120 PS) @6300 rpm | 144 Nm @4500 rpm | 10,5 | 200 | 1997- |
| 1.8 TS | I4 | 1747 cm³ | 106 kW (144 PS) @6500 rpm | 169 Nm @3500 rpm | 9,3 | 210 | 1997-2000 |
| 1.8 TS | I4 | 1747 cm³ | 103 kW (140 PS) @6500 rpm | 163 Nm @3900 rpm | 9,4 | 208 | 2001- |
| 2.0 TS | I4 | 1970 cm³ | 114 kW (155 PS) @6400 rpm | 187 Nm @3500 rpm | 8,6 | 216 | 1997-2000 |
| 2.0 TS | I4 | 1970 cm³ | 110 kW (150 PS) @6300 rpm | 181 Nm @3800 rpm | 8,8 | 214 | 2001-2002 |
| 2.0 JTS | I4 | 1970 cm³ | 121 kW (165 PS) @6400 rpm | 206 Nm @3250 rpm | 8,2 | 220 | 2002- |
| 2.5 V6 | V6 | 2492 cm³ | 140 kW (190 PS) @6300 rpm | 222 Nm @5000 rpm | 7,3 | 230 | 1997-2000 |
| 2.5 V6 | V6 | 2492 cm³ | 141 kW (192 PS) @6300 rpm | 218 Nm @5000 rpm | 7,3 | 230 | 2001- |
| GTA | V6 | 3179 cm³ | 184 kW (250 PS) @6200 rpm | 300 Nm @4800 rpm | 6,3 | 250 | 2002- |
[edit] Diesel
| Model | Engine | Volume | Power | Torque | 0-100 km/h | km/h | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 JTD | I4 8v | 1910 cm³ | 77 kW (105 PS) @4000 rpm | 255 Nm @2000 rpm | 10,4 | 188 | 1997-2000 |
| 1.9 JTD | I4 8v | 1910 cm³ | 81 kW (110 PS) @4000 rpm | 275 Nm @1800 rpm | 10,3 | 191 | 2001 |
| 1.9 JTD | I4 8v | 1910 cm³ | 85 kW (115 PS) @4000 rpm | 275 Nm @2000 rpm | 10,3 | 191 | 2002- |
| 1.9 JTDm | I4 16v | 1910 cm³ | 103 kW (140 PS) @4000 rpm | 305 Nm @2000 rpm | 9,3 | 209 | 2003- |
| 1.9 JTDm | I4 16v | 1910 cm³ | 110 kW (150 PS) @4000 rpm | 305 Nm @2000 rpm | 9,1 | 212 | 2003 |
| 2.4 JTD | I5 10v | 2387 cm³ | 100 kW (136 PS) @4000 rpm | 310 Nm @2000 rpm | 9,5 | 203 | 1997-2000 |
| 2.4 JTD | I5 10v | 2387 cm³ | 103 kW (140 PS) @4000 rpm | 304 Nm @1800 rpm | 9,4 | 205 | 2001 |
| 2.4 JTD | I5 10v | 2387 cm³ | 110 kW (150 PS) @4000 rpm | 305 Nm @1800 rpm | 9,4 | 212 | 2002 |
| 2.4 JTDm | I5 20v | 2387 cm³ | 129 kW (175 PS) @4000 rpm | 385 Nm @2000 rpm | 8,3 | 216 | 2003- |
[edit] Awards
In 1998, an international jury of 56 journalists representing 21 countries awarded the Alfa 156 the European Car of the Year award; it was described as having a "very refined suspension layout so to offer an impeccable roadholding".[5] The 156 has won more than 35 awards, including:
- Technical Innovation Award - Common Rail 1998 - (Autocar - Great Britain)
- Best Compact Executive 1998 - (What Car - UK)
- Best Compact Executive Car 1998- (Autoexpress - UK)
- Die Besten Autos 1998, Paul Pietsch Preis - (Innovation prize for Common Rail, (Auto Motor und Sport - Germany)
- Auto 1 Europa 1998 -(Panel of engineers, drivers and journalists from the 11 European magazines headed by Auto Bild)
- Auto Trophy 1998 -(Auto Zeitung-Germany)
- Trophee Du Design 1998 -(Automobile Magazine-France)
[edit] Motorsport
The Alfa Romeo 156 was not as well vested in motorsport as its predecessor, the 155, however it runs in the British Touring Car Championship as well as various European championships and has won the following titles:
- 1998 Supertouring Italian Championship, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 1999 Supertouring Italian Championship, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2000 Euro STC Supertouring Champion, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2001 European Supertourincar FIA Champion , Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2002 European Supertourincar FIA Champion , Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2003 European Supertourincar FIA Champion , Gabriele Tarquini
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.autointell.com/News-2001/May-2001/May-2001-3/May-16-01-p3.htm
- ^ http://www.alfaromeo.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=17556
- ^ a b http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/new_models_2003/156_restyling/156restyling_05.html
- ^ http://www.alfa.co.nz/News/Archives/News_2004/Vehicles/Alfa_156/Alfa_Romeo_takes_to_the_Alps/MenuId/293.aspx
- ^ http://www.caroftheyear.org/pages/Previous_Cars/1998.htm
[edit] External links
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