The Alfa Romeo 156 Story: From Financial Struggles to Legendary Status

🚘The Alfa Romeo 156 was a game-changer for the brand, helping it recover from financial struggles.

🏆The 156 won the prestigious 'Car of the Year' award in 1998, surpassing competitors such as BMW and Audi.

🔧The 156 featured innovative design elements, including a clever door handle placement and a classic Alfa shield front grille.

💪Alfa Romeo focused on performance and luxury, positioning the 156 as a competitor to BMW.

🏁The 156 had a successful motorsport career, winning multiple championships and inspiring a road-going version.

What made the Alfa Romeo 156 special?

—The 156 stood out with its iconic design, impressive performance, and luxurious features. It revived the brand and won several awards.

Did the Alfa Romeo 156 have any quality issues?

—While the 156 received praise for its design and performance, long-term tests revealed some quality issues, such as flaking gear lever covering and creaks/rattles.

What were the engine options available for the Alfa Romeo 156?

—The 156 offered a range of engines, including Alfa's Twin Spark engine, V6 engines, and the new JTD diesel engine known for its performance and fuel efficiency.

Did the Alfa Romeo 156 have automatic transmission options?

—Initially, the 156 was only available with manual gearboxes. Later, it offered the option of Q-System automatic and Selespeed automated manual transmission.

What are the successors of the Alfa Romeo 156?

—The Alfa Romeo 159 and Giulia models succeeded the 156, continuing its iconic design legacy.

00:00The Alfa Romeo 156 helped the brand recover from financial difficulties.

05:11The 156 won 'Car of the Year' in 1998, beating out BMW and Audi.

02:17The 156 featured innovative design elements, such as clever door handle placement and a classic Alfa shield front grille.

03:52Alfa Romeo positioned the 156 as a competitor to BMW, focusing on performance and luxury.

09:44The 156 had a successful career in motorsport and inspired a road-going version.

09:12In 1999, the 156 introduced the option of automatic transmissions.

14:26Production of the 156 ended in 2005, with more than 670,000 cars sold.

15:35The 156's iconic design legacy can still be seen in Alfa Romeo's current models.