Alfa Romeo 156
+front.jpg "Alfa Romeo 156 (1998)") |
+rear.jpg "Alfa Romeo 156 (1998)") |
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Alfa
Romeo 156
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Overview
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Manufacturer
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Alfa
Romeo
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Production
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1997-2007
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Assembly
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Pomigliano
d'Arco, Italy
Rayong,
Thailand
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Designer
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Walter
de'Silva at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo
Giorgetto
Giugiaro (2003)
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Body and
chassis
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Class
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Compact
executive car
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Body style
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4-door
saloon
5-door
estate
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Layout
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Front-engine,
front-wheel-drive / four-wheel-drive (estate)
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Related
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Alfa
Romeo GT
Alfa
Romeo 147
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Powertrain
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Engine
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1.6
L I4 16V (TS) petrol
1.8
L I4 16V (TS) petrol
2.0
L I4 16V (TS) petrol
2.0
L I4 16V (JTS) petrol
2.5
L V6 24V petrol
3.2
L V6 24V petrol
1.9
L I4 t/c diesel (JTD)
2.4
L I5 t/c diesel (JTD)
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Transmission
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5-speed
manual
6-speed
manual
5-speed
semi-auto (Selespeed)
6-speed
semi-auto (Selespeed)
4-speed
automatic (Q-System)
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Dimensions
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Wheelbase
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2,595
mm (102.2 in)
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Length
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4,430
mm (174.4 in)
4,441
mm (174.8 in) (Sportwagon Q4)
4,441
mm (174.8 in) (Crosswagon Q4)
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Width
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1,745
mm (68.7 in)
1,765
mm (69.5 in) (Crosswagon Q4)
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Height
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1,415
mm (55.7 in)
1,430
mm (56.3 in) (Sportwagon)
1,458
mm (57.4 in) (Sportwagon Q4)
1,497
mm (58.9 in) (Crosswagon Q4)
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Curb weight
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1,230–1,530
kg (2,712–3,373 lb)
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Chronology
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Predecessor
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Alfa
Romeo 155
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Successor
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Alfa
Romeo 159
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The Alfa Romeo 156 (Type 932) is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1997 to 2007 (Q4 Crosswagon was produced to the end of 2007, the 156 saloon was discontinued late in 2005 in Europe). It was introduced at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 155. Cars were assembled at Fiat Group factory in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy and General Motors facility in Rayong, Thailand (production in Thailand started March 2002 and lasted couple of years, cars were targeted for Asia Pacific markets). Between 1997 and 2005, 680,000 156s were produced, a huge success for the brand.
The 156 was available in both saloon and estate 'Sportwagon' bodystyles with seven engine configurations and it went through two facelifts, first in 2002 and second in 2003. The Sportwagon advertising campaign was made with actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
The 156 saloon was discontinued late in 2005 in Europe, the four-wheel drive Q4 Crosswagon was produced to the end of 2007. The 156 was replaced with 159, which also spawned the Brera, the two door coupe that replaces the Alfa Romeo GTV along with its convertible sister the new Spider. The 156 won the 1998 European Car of the Year award.
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Development
At the beginning the engine range encompassed four cylinder Twin Spark (1.6 L 120 PS (88 kW), 1.8 L 144 PS (106 kW) and 2.0 L 155 PS (114 kW)) 16 valve engines with variable valve timing, along with the straight-4 1.9 litre 8-valve 105 PS (77 kW) and straight-5 2.4 litre 10-valve 136 PS (100 kW) JTD common rail turbodiesel engines. Until January 2002, the range-topping engine was the venerable double overhead camshaft 2.5 litre 24-valve Alfa Romeo V6 engine rated at 190 PS (140 kW).
Initially the 156 range was available with different options (packs) like a sport pack that could include either Blitz clothing, Momo leather interior or Recaro seats, it also included 16-inch (410 mm) wheels, lowered suspension and leather steering wheel and gear knob. There was also available Lusso pack with Momo's mahogany steering wheel and gear knob and for Nordic countries special winter pack consisting of fog lights, headlight washers and heated seats.
.jpg "Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 2.0 JTD (2003)") |
| Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 2.0 JTD (2003) |
Starting from 1999 five-speed Selespeed sequential transmission came as an option to 2.0 litre Twin Spark version and four-speed automatic Q-System to 2.5 litre V6 version, the Q-system can be used as normal automatic or shift manually with H-pattern, it has three automatic modes: city, sport and ice.
A significant addition to the 156 range was the Sportwagon estate 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. The Sportwagon was marketed as lifestyle estate without large carrying capacity. The Sportwagon bodystyle filled a gap in the market that Alfa Romeo had distanced themselves from since the 33 SportWagon of the 1980s.
In 2001 engines were upgraded, engines complied with Euro3 norm and outputed 120 PS (88 kW) (1.6 L), 140 PS (100 kW) (1.8 L), 150 PS (110 kW) (2.0 L) and 192 PS (141 kW) (2.5 L).
.jpg "Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD (2003)") |
| Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD (2003) |
Exterior styling
Interior styling
The 1998 original interior builds on a benchmark set by Alfa Romeo in their previously released Alfa Romeo 166, with a deeply scalloped upper dashboard and simple centre console. All of the main controls and displays are angled towards the driver in typical Italian sports car style, although this can sometimes be awkward for passengers who will struggle to see the interior clock. Despite being a family car, the interior design lacks cup holders, which normally come standard in saloons. Typically, for a smaller executive car, there is ample room up front for the driver and passenger to sit comfortably, with very comfortable seats. However, rear seat passengers may find the design restrictive in overall room. The 156 is a car for four people, rather than five, although later models did add a full centre seatbelt in place of the lap belt in earlier models.
2002 saw an update to both the interior and exterior of the 156.
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+dashboard.jpg "Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD (2003) dashboard")
+seat.jpg "Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD (2003) seat")
Platform and suspension
Facelifts
2002 facelift (first series)
2003 facelift (second series)
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.jpg "Original version (black mirrors and bumper strips)")
.jpg "2002 facelift version (body colored mirrors and bumper strips)")
+Sportwagon.jpg "New front in second series (2003) Sportwagon")
.JPG "New rear end in second series (2003)")
2004 Q4 variants
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| 156 Crosswagon Q4 |
In 2004, Q4 (short for Quadrifoglio 4) four-wheel drive versions arrived to some markets, which were known as the Crosswagon Q4 and Sportwagon Q4 (both using the 1.9 L 150 PS (110 kW) JTD diesel engine).
These cars were equipped with a Torsen C four-wheel drive system and raised ride heights (Crosswagon height: 1,497 mm (58.9 in), Sportwagon 1,458 mm (57.4 in)). The Crosswagon version was made to look more like all-terrain vehicle; door sill aluminium protection, front and rear bumpers were equipped with aluminium inserts. The Sportwagon Q4 was a normal looking version with just slightly higher ground clearance than the front wheel drive Sportwagon.
The Sportwagon Q4 was only available in LHD markets, with no RHD models being built or sold.
GTA version
In September 2001, the 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA were launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The GTA was named after the Alfa Romeo GTA from the 1960s, the letters GTA meaning Gran Turismo Alleggerita (English: lightened Grand Tourer). Even though the name suggests a light car, the GTA isn't any lighter than base 156. It was actually 91 kilograms (201 lb) heavier than 2.5 litre V6 engined version. 2,973 berlinas and 1,678 SWs were built.
With its 3.2 litre engine its easy to get very varying fuel consumption figures, the EC urban fuel consumption is 15.6 miles per imperial gallon (18.1 L/100 km; 13.0 mpg-US) and combined 23.3 mpg-imp(12.1 L/100 km; 19.4 mpg-US), extra-urban consumption is 32.8 mpg-imp (8.6 L/100 km; 27.3 mpg-US).
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| 156 GTA |
Model timeline
Type
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Year
production
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Model year changes
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Normal
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2002 facelift
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2003 facelift
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Saloon
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1997-2001
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2002
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2003-2005
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Sportwagon
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2000-2001
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2002
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2003-2005
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GTA
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-
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2002
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2003-2005
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Crosswagon/Sportwagon
Q4
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-
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-
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2003-2007
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Engines
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Specifications
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Model
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Layout
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Disp.
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Valves
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Max. power output
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Peak torque
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0–100 km/h
0–62 mph |
Top speed
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Years
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Note
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Petrol engines
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1.6 TS
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I4 TS
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1,598 cc (97.5 cu in)
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16 DOHC VVT
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120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 6,300 rpm
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144 Nm (106 lbft) at 4,500 rpm
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10.5 s
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200 km/h (124 mph)
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1997–2006
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1.8 TS
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I4 TS
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1,747 cc
(106.6 cu in)
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16 DOHC VVT VLIM
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144 PS (106 kW;
142 hp) at 6,500 rpm
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169 Nm (125 lbft) at
3,500 rpm
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9.3 s
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210 km/h (130 mph)
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1997–2000
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Euro2
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1.8 TS
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I4 TS
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1,747 cc
(106.6 cu in)
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16 DOHC VVT VLIM
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140 PS (103 kW;
138 hp) at 6,500 rpm
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163 Nm (120 lbft) at
3,900 rpm
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9.4 s
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208 km/h (129 mph)
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2001–2006
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Euro3
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2.0 TS
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I4 2BS TS
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1,970 cc
(120 cu in)
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16 DOHC VVT VLIM
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155 PS (114 kW;
153 hp) at 6,400 rpm
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187 Nm (138 lbft) at
3,500 rpm
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8.6 s
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216 km/h (134 mph)
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1997–2000
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Euro2
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2.0 TS
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I4 2BS TS
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1,970 cc
(120 cu in)
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16 DOHC VVT VLIM
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150 PS (110 kW;
148 hp) at 6,300 rpm
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181 Nm (133 lbft) at
3,800 rpm
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8.8 s
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214 km/h (133 mph)
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2001–2002
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Euro3
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2.0 JTS
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I4 2BS DI
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1,970 cc
(120 cu in)
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16 DOHC VVT VLIM
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165 PS (121 kW;
163 hp) at 6,400 rpm
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206 Nm (152 lbft) at
3,250 rpm
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8.2 s
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220 km/h (137 mph)
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2002–2006
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Facelift
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2.5 Q-System
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V6
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2,492 cc
(152.1 cu in)
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24 DOHC
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190 PS (140 kW;
187 hp) at 6,300 rpm
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222 Nm (164 lbft) at
5,000 rpm
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8.5 s
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227 km/h (141 mph)
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1997–2000
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Euro2
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2.5 Q-System
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V6
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2,492 cc
(152.1 cu in)
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24 DOHC
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192 PS (141 kW;
189 hp) at 6,300 rpm
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218 Nm (161 lbft) at
5,000 rpm
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8.5 s
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227 km/h (141 mph)
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2001–2006
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Euro3
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2.5 V6
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V6
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2,492 cc
(152.1 cu in)
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24 DOHC
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190 PS (140 kW;
187 hp) at 6,300 rpm
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222 Nm (164 lbft) at
5,000 rpm
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7.3 s
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230 km/h (143 mph)
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1997–2000
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Euro2
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2.5 V6
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V6
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2,492 cc
(152.1 cu in)
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24 DOHC
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192 PS (141 kW;
189 hp) at 6,300 rpm
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218 Nm (161 lbft) at
5,000 rpm
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7.3 s
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230 km/h (143 mph)
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2001–2006
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Euro3
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3.2 GTA
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V6
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3,179 cc
(194.0 cu in)
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24 DOHC
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250 PS (184 kW;
247 hp) at 6,200 rpm
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300 Nm (221 lbft) at
4,800 rpm
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6.3 s
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250 km/h (155 mph)
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2002–2005
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Euro3
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Note: 2.0 TS, 2.0 JTS and
GTA Selespeed versions have same performance
statistics as manual transmission.
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Diesel engines
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1.9 JTD
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I4
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1,910 cc
(117 cu in)
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8 SOHC
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105 PS (77 kW;
104 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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255 Nm (188 lbft) at
2,000 rpm
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10.4 s
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188 km/h (117 mph)
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1997–2000
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1.9 JTD
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I4
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1,910 cc
(117 cu in)
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8 SOHC
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110 PS (81 kW;
108 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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275 Nm (203 lbft) at
2,000 rpm
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10.3 s
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191 km/h (119 mph)
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2001
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1.9 JTD
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I4
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1,910 cc (117 cu in)
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8 SOHC
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115 PS (85 kW;
113 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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275 Nm (203 lbft) at
2,000 rpm
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10.3 s
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191 km/h (119 mph)
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2002
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Facelift
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1.9 M-Jet
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I4
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1,910 cc
(117 cu in)
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16 DOHC
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140 PS (103 kW;
138 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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305 Nm (225 lbft) at
2,000 rpm
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9.3 s
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209 km/h (130 mph)
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2003
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1.9 M-Jet
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I4
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1,910 cc
(117 cu in)
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16 DOHC
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150 PS (110 kW;
148 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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305 Nm (225 lbft) at
2,000 rpm
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9.1 s
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212 km/h (132 mph)
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2003
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(*)
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2.4 JTD
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I5
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2,387 cc
(145.7 cu in)
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10 SOHC
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136 PS (100 kW;
134 hp) at 4,200 rpm
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310 Nm (229 lbft) at
2,000 rpm
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9.5 s
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203 km/h (126 mph)
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1997–2000
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2.4 JTD
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I5
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2,387 cc
(145.7 cu in)
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10 SOHC
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140 PS (103 kW;
138 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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304 Nm (224 lbft) at
1,800 rpm
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9.4 s
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205 km/h (127 mph)
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Oct - 2000
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2.4 JTD
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I5
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2,387 cc
(145.7 cu in)
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10 SOHC
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150 PS (110 kW;
148 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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305 Nm (225 lbft) at
1,800 rpm
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9.4 s
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212 km/h (132 mph)
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2002–2007
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Facelift
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2.4 M-Jet
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I5
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2,387 cc
(145.7 cu in)
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20 DOHC
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175 PS (129 kW;
173 hp) at 4,000 rpm
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385 Nm (284 lbft) at
2,000 rpm
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8.3 s
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225 km/h (140 mph)
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2003–2006
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Second facelift
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Note (*): Crosswagon Q4
topspeed is 192 km/h (119 mph) and acceleration 0–100 km/h
(62,5 mph) is 10.5 seconds, for Sportwagon Q4 numbers are 200 km/h
(124 mph) and 10.2 seconds.
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Special versions
Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm
Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon GTA 3.5 Autodelta
Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 3.7 V6
.jpg "Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Autodelta (2004)") |
| Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Autodelta (2004) |
Awards
In 1998, an international jury of 56 journalists (40 of whom voted for the 156) representing 21 countries awarded the Alfa 156 the European Car of the Yearaward; it was described as having a "very refined suspension layout so to offer an impeccable roadholding". The 2.5 V6 engine was awarded with the International Engine of the Year award in 2000. The 156 has won more than 35 awards, including:
- Technical Innovation Award - Common Rail 1998 - (Autocar - Great Britain)
- Best Compact Executive 1998 - (What Car? - Great Britain)
- Best Compact Executive Car 1998 - (Auto Express - Great Britain)
- 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)
- European Award for Automotive Design in Belgium 1998
- Car of the Year in Denmark, Spain, Holland, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal, France and Croatia 1998
- Car of the Year in South Africa 1999 (South African Guild of Motoring Journalists)
- Prix de l’Innovation Technique pour le Common Rail 1997 (France)
- L’automobile più bella del mondo ("The most beautiful car in the world") in Italy 1997
Motorsport
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| Alfa Romeo 156, driven by N.Technology driver James Thompson, during the 2007 WTCC round at Curitiba |
The Alfa Romeo 156 was as well vested in motorsport as its predecessor, the 155. It ran in the British Touring Car Championship as well as various European championships, most notably the WTCC and formerly the ETCC where it was especially successful. The 156 sports car program was run by Fiat Group's partner N.Technology S.p.A., originally founded as Nordauto Squadra Corse to compete in Italian Touring Car Championship. In 1994 name was changed to Nordauto Engineering and 2001 to N.Technology. In 1998 Alfa Romeo also offered for sale the 156 Group N version for the track. The 156 Group N had no carpets, seats or upholstery, but included additional track safety devices. The 156 has won the following titles:
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- 1998 Italian Super Touring Car Championship - Alfa Romeo 156 D2, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 1999 Italian Super Touring Car Championship - Alfa Romeo 156 D2, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2000 European Super Touring Car Cup Winner - Alfa Romeo 156 D2, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2001 FIA European Touring Car Championship - Alfa Romeo 156 D2, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2002 FIA European Touring Car Championship - Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Super 2000, Fabrizio Giovanardi
- 2003 FIA European Touring Car Championship – Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Super 2000, Gabriele Tarquini
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| The Alfa Romeo straight-4 Twin Spark racing engine used in 156 in European Touring Car Championship |
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Model
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Displacement
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Max. power output
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Alfa Romeo 156 D2
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1,997 cc (121.9 cu in)
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310 PS (228 kW; 306 hp)
at 8200 rpm
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Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Super 2000
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1,998 cc (121.9 cu in)
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260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp)
at 8450 rpm
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Alfa Romeo 156 Super 2000
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1,998 cc (121.9 cu in)
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275 PS (202 kW; 271 hp)
at 8450 rpm
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Coloni S1 Alfa Romeo 156
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| Alfa Romeo 156 Coloni S1 |
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Last updated on 18 April 2014 at 13:15.
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