New Alfa 156 JTS

One date in Alfa Romeo's recent history was responsible for bringing about a revolution in brand sales and image. The auspicious date, October 9, 1997, was the day when the international press got its first glimpse of the Alfa 156 in Lisbon.

At that moment, Alfa Romeo stepped up to reclaim its tradition and also its place in the tight circle of prestige sports car manufacturers.

Later models were to build on this success: from the flagship 166 to the effervescent Sportwagon and the newer, highly acclaimed compact Alfa 147. Yet the event that set Alfa Romeo on its new path was the appearance of the medium-sized 156, that encloses all Alfa's proud sporting and engineering heritage within one clean, stylish, Italian-looking package.

The new car was voted 'Car of the Year 1998' (this award was followed by 35 more accolades) and motorists themselves voted with their feet, ordering 90,000 units. The other motor manufacturers had to take notice. It did not take long for them to follow suite and extend their ranges to include common rail turbodiesel engines that you first saw on the Alfa saloon.

The Alfa 156 has gone from strength to strength in the intervening four years. It has sold just under half a million saloon and Sportwagon units throughout the world. It now occupies an enviable position in European segment D, where it has easily tripled the Alfa Romeo share: from 0.7% in 1996 to 3.2% in 2001.

It also boosted overall brand sales, which rose in Europe from 117,500 in 1996 (0.9%) to 202,100 in 2001 (1.4%), a 72% increase.

The model now confirms its vitality by offering a facelifted Alfa 156 and Sportwagon. The only features that these two cars share with their predecessors are their external line (so appreciated by motorists around the world) and their intrinsic, irrepressible personality and outstanding dynamic assets.

Everything else has undergone deep-seated changes to offer: better performance, more safety, a comprehensive telematic array and more opulent interiors.

The new Alfa 156 also complements its range with two all-new cars: the Alfa 156 GTA and the Sportwagon GTA, which represent the quintessence of brand values and revive a legendary name that inspired the slogan 'A win a day for the car you drive to work' for the Giulia Sprint in the mid-Sixties.

The outcome is two good-looking, sporty cars that are designed for everyday use, yet still able to ensure racetrack sensation under certain circumstances.

The new Alfa 156 and Sportwagon offer more performance. The model has another sophisticated automotive engineering ace up its sleeve in the form of a brand new power unit that is Alfa Romeo's interpretation of a direct injection petrol engine.

The engine is referred to as a JTS (Jet Thrust Stoichiometric) and is the first direct injection petrol engine with a specific power greater than 60 kW/litre and a specific torque higher than 100 Nm/litre. It guarantees the performance of a 2.3-litre unit, yet consumes 10% less fuel.

This revolutionary new engine reduces fuel consumption by adopting a stratified charge lean burn system at speeds of up to 1,500 rpm. Above this threshold, the engine harnesses all the engine's power to increase performance.

Unlike other lean burn engines, the new unit is fitted with a normal trivalent catalytic converter and can use the normal unleaded fuel on sale today instead of low sulphur fuel. The engine already meets the strict Euro 4 emission limits due to come into force.

The new 2.0 JTS (the acronym destined to identify an entire family of future Alfa Romeo models) is joined by a 2.4 JTD turbodiesel with power increased from 140 to 150 bhp, a 2.0 JTS Selespeed (with improved sequential gearbox operation) and the tried-and-tested petrol-driven 1.6 Twin Spark, 1.8 Twin Spark and 2.5 V6 24V.

Active safety is improved by VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), now fitted as standard on all new Alfa 156 and Sportwagon cars. The electronic system controls the car's dynamic stability and cuts in under near-limit conditions to help the driver to control the car.

The MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) cuts in when the gear is shifted down abruptly under conditions of low grip. This device restores torque to the engine to prevent the wheel skidding as a result of lock.

The best possible visibility in all driving and weather conditions is assured by Xenon headlamps (optional). These offer a lighting intensity and duration twice that of normal halogen headlamps and are also more efficient (85 instead of 25 lumen per Watt).

As far as passive safety is concerned, all versions are now fitted as standard with window-bags that drop down along the windows in the case of side impact to safeguard the heads of front and rear occupants. Isofix attachments to the left and right of the rear seat also secure child seats easily and safely.

In-car comfort is improved on the new Alfa 156 and Sportwagon by an automatic bi-zone climate control system that allows the driver and front passenger to adjust their air temperature levels as though each had their own personal heater or air-conditioner.

Interior microclimate quality is controlled by an air quality sensor that automatically activates air recirculation when the car is travelling around town, in tunnels or in traffic jams.

Comfort also means automatic devices that reduce the demands of driving on the motorist, such as a rain sensor that automatically activates the windscreen wipers at the first drops of rain and cruise control, so useful on motorway trips because it automatically maintains a cruising speed set by the driver.

A brand new multifunction display forms the centrepiece of the control panel on the new Alfa 156 and Sportwagon. This fulfils the twofold function of informing the customer of the main trip parameters (trip computer) and indicating any car faults quickly and accurately together with information on the action required.

The dashboard is equipped as standard throughout the range with a built-in radio with cassette or CD player according to the specification. All possible options share an excellent sound system.

The system has been designed and adjusted for the passenger compartment. It comprises six speakers and offers a power output of 4 ¥ 40 Watts. The radio may also be activated by controls on the steering wheel.

These radical changes have enabled Alfa to add all the devices that technological developments in the computer and telematics industry have created in the years since the original 156 launch. The new Alfa 156 and Sportwagon come with an array of equipment that includes the state-of-the-art CONNECT system and a sophisticated hi-fi system by Bose, the US company that leads the world in this sector.

The control wheels feature new appearance and materials, and the new central diffuser upper outlets are bigger and adjustable horizontally and vertically to improve airflow. The central console is also different because the sensation of space has been increased through the use of bigger ashtray and compartments, and more user-friendly mirror and fog lamp positioning.

A new front armrest, fitted as standard, is also revealed as a convenient oddments compartment. Other changes include the steering wheel button panels, climate control system and gearbox control panels, and the instrument and control surrounds, now painted in grey Techno metalluro. The fascia air outlet and door handle rings are now chrome. And the seat adjustment controls are soft touch.

Customers can also choose from three interior seat trim options: Classic in grey or blue shades, Elegant in airy beige and a darker sporty alternative that consists of black cloth run through with a red or grey rubber thread. The perforated leather trims come in five colours: black, blue, grey, red and natural. Other options include a sporty black leather trim.