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1. Alfa Romeo 159

. 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) 1,230–1,530 (2,712–3,373 ) Chronology Predecessor Successor The Alfa Romeo 156 ( Tipo 932) is a produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer. This range of vehicles were manufactured between 1996 and 2007 while the 156 was discontinued in Europe late in 2005, leaving the Q4 Crosswagon to continue in production until the end of 2007.

Introduced at the 1997 as the replacement for the the 156 was well accepted and in the following year went on to win the 1998 award Cars were assembled at the factory in, Italy and at a facility in, Thailand. Production in Thailand began in March 2002 and ran for only a couple of years and vehicles produced there were targeted for the Asia Pacific markets ). Between 1997 and 2005, approximately 680,000 vehicles designated 156s were produced.

The 156 was available in saloon, Sportwagon and Crosswagon bodystyles with seven engine configurations; it went through two, first in 2002 and then in 2003. The Sportwagon advertising campaign was made with actress. In 2007 the became the replacement for the 156. This replacement vehicle went on to also spawn the, the two door coupe that replaces the along with its convertible sister the new. Development From the beginning various four cylinder engine configurations were available and included the (1.6 L - 120 (88 ), 1.8 L - 144 PS (106 kW) and 2.0 L - 155 PS (114 kW)) 16 models with, along with the 1.9 litre 8-valve 105 PS (77 kW).

The range also included a 2.4 litre 10-valve 136 PS (100 kW) engine. Until January 2002, the range-topping engine was the venerable 2.5 litre 24-valve 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, leather interior or seats, it also included 16-inch (410 mm) wheels, lowered suspension and leather and. There was also available Lusso pack with 's steering wheel and gear knob and for Nordic countries special winter pack consisting of fog lights, headlight washers and heated seats. 156 Sportwagon (2003 facelift) Starting from 1999 a five-speed sequential transmission came as an option to the 2.0 litre Twin Spark version and four-speed automatic Q-System to the 2.5 litre V6 version, the Q-system provided the option of using the car as a normal automatic or being able to shift manually with, it has three automatic modes: city, sport and ice. A significant addition to the 156 range came in 2000 with the introduction of the Sportwagon or estate car, a first attempt at this configuration and size for the company. The Sportwagon was also available with Boge- self-levelling hydropneumatic rear suspension.

The Sportwagon was marketed as lifestyle without large carrying capacity. The Sportwagon bodystyle filled a gap in the market that Alfa Romeo had distanced themselves from since the of the 1980s. In 2001 engines were upgraded to comply with the standards 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). Variants Alfa Romeo 156 model timeline Model Type 1990s 2000s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Changes 2002 facelift 2003 facelift 156 saloon 156 Sportwagon estate 156 GTA berlina/sportwagon 156 Sportwagon Q4 AWD estate 156 Crosswagon Q4 AWD crossover Note: The 156 GTA did not share production changes with other variants The 156 GTA The 156 GTA and 156 Sportwagon GTA were launched at the in September 2001. The GTA was named after the from the 1960s, the letters GTA meaning Gran Turismo Alleggerita (English: lightened Grand Tourer). It was an extremely exclusive high-performance sports car with the vehicles being hand assembled on a separate production line to the standard 156 models.

It continues to be highly sought after by collectors as well as keen drivers due to its rarity, pedigree and Busso-designed engine. 1,973 berlinas and 1,678 Sportwagons were built until the GTA production stopped in October 2005, citing the upcoming replacement to the 156, the. Very few GTA were sold, with right-hand drive vehicles holding a premium over left-hand drive vehicles due to their rarity.

Further, vehicles sold new in New Zealand and the United Kingdom hold a premium over other right-hand drive markets such as Australia, Malaysia, Japan or Singapore due to more desirable specification with higher output engines. The very first GTA was sold via on-line auction, from September 13 to 23, the duration of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Winning bid was €48,691.26, which was donated to 'Telethon' charity fund. 156 GTA The 3.2 litre Bussone (The big Busso, so called after legendary Alfa Romeo engineer ).

This engine is praised universally for its excellent tone and eagerness to rev. This was the largest capacity version built at the Alfa Romeo factory at Arese, north of Milano. The engine has a 93 mm (3.7 in) bore and a 78 mm (3.1 in) stroke and hence a capacity of (3,179 cc (194.0 cu in)) with 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) and 300 N⋅m (220 ft⋅lbf) of torque. After market Alfa Romeo specialist Autodelta produced performance versions up to 3.7 litres and 400 PS (290 kW). The European Touring Car Championship winning 156 GTA was however running a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder 300 PS (220 kW) engine due to class regulations.

The GTA variants shared a common interior with post-facelift 156 variants. The doors, bootlid and bonnet were also shared. All else was unique to the GTA, specifically made by Research Centre and Research Centre.

The GTA did not take the designed facelift introduced to the 156 in 2002, but continued with the acclaimed design to the very end of production, where a total of 1,973 berlinas were made. The was also made faster, only 1.7 turns from lock to lock compared to 2.1 in normal models. The GTA had also larger , at front 305 millimetres (12 in) discs and rear 276 millimetres (10.8 in). The front discs were later upgraded to 330 millimetres (13 in) to cope with the performance potential. 156 Sportwagon Q4 External image In 2004 Sportwagon Q4 versions arrived to some markets. The Q4 (short for Quadrifoglio 4) system used three differentials, the central one being of the C type; it added about 150 kg (331 lb) to the vehicle weight.

A raised ride height meant the Sportwagon Q4's was 1,458 mm (57.4 in) tall. Other than the ride height, special 5-spoke 17 inch wheels and a 'Q4' badge on the tail set the Sportwagon Q4 apart from the front-wheel drive 156 versions. The Sportwagon Q4 was only available on markets, with no models being built or sold. 156 Crosswagon Q4. 156 Crosswagon Q4 The same year Alfa Romeo introduced the Crosswagon Q4, a Sportwagon Q4 with a look and enhanced off-road capabilities. The Crosswagon's ride height was raised further compared to the Sportwagon Q4, giving the car better; at 1,497 mm (58.9 in) it was 6.5 cm (2.6 in) taller than a standard 156. Tall-sidewall on 17 inch wheels were standard.

The Crosswagon was made to look more like all-terrain vehicle by unique front and rear bumpers and door sills with steel inserts. After the introduction of the in 2005 the Crosswagon remained in production, and in 2007 it was the last 156 to be discontinued. Special versions External images Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm The Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm was shown at Bologna Motor Show in December 2002.

The car was built by Fiat Group's partner. The GTA 3,179 cc (3.2 L; 194.0 cu in) engine was bored to 3,548 cc (3.5 L; 216.5 cu in) and power pushed to 300 PS (220 kW). The car had widened wheel arches, 19 inch tyres and was equipped with N.Technology.

This car never reached production phase. Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon GTA 3.5 Autodelta At the 2004 Geneva Motor Show Italian-based firm unveiled a 156 Sportwagon prototype equipped with a 3,548 cc (3.5 L; 216.5 cu in) V6 engine that developed 300 brake horsepower (220 kW) at 6800 rpm. The car was fitted with Bilstein adjustable shock absorbers, Eibach springs and front brakes with a diameter of 330 millimetres (13 in). The car was lightened using a composite engine bonnet.

Autodelta 156 GTA 3.7 V6. Supercharged Autodelta 156 GTA.

London-based firm made two high performance versions based on 156 GTA, in GTA AM version was bored to 3,750 cc (3.8 L; 228.8 cu in), which was capable to push 328 PS (241 kW) at 7300 rpm. With this power the car could reach top speed of 310 kilometres per hour (193 mph). The other one GTA AM Super was 'upgrade' of the first version, now fitted with Rotrex and pushing out 400 PS (290 kW). Specifications Platform and suspension The 156 uses a platform derived from the, which in turn was derived from the Fiat Group's 'Tipo'. However it is sufficiently different from the original 'Tipo' one to be seen as a new platform. The 156 is a highly developed car; (the Cross/Sportwagon Q4 offered in markets) with a double high front suspension and Camuffo type rear suspension, which consists of a telescopic vertical with coaxial and two transverse links of different lengths and a longitudinal strut. This structure means that the rear wheels have a tiny ability.

Weight saving material (aluminium) has been used in several parts both front and rear suspension. For the 156 GTA, weight saving materials were also used in many other parts like magnesium framed front seats and dashboard frame. The 156 GTA only shared common parts with other 156 variants with respect to the facelift interior, doors, bonnet and bootlid. Engines The 156 offered various engines and power levels during its lifespan, four and six cylinder petrol engines and four and five cylinder diesel engines, all produced at except the V6 engines, which was produced at, with the GTA engines being produced at the Research Centre.

The 2.4 JTD diesel was world's first common rail diesel engine in a passenger car. Retrieved 2 December 2015. From the original on 11 February 2012.

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Alfa Romeo 159

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at the Internet Movie Cars Database.