Alfa Romeo 156

Alfa Romeo 156
Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
Overview
ManufacturerFiat Auto
Production1996[1]–2007
Assembly
Designer
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)
Body style
Layout
PlatformType Two rev. 3[citation needed]
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,595 mm (102.2 in)
Length
  • 4,430 mm (174.4 in)
  • 4,441 mm (174.8 in) (Sportwagon Q4)
  • 4,441 mm (174.8 in) (Crosswagon Q4)
Width
  • 1,743 mm (68.6 in)
  • 1,765 mm (69.5 in) (Crosswagon Q4)
Height
  • 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)
Kerb weight1,230–1,530 kg (2,712–3,373 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorAlfa Romeo 155
SuccessorAlfa Romeo 159

The Alfa Romeo 156 (Type 932) is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo. It was introduced at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show[5] as the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 155. The 156 received a positive reception and in the following year went on to win the 1998 European Car of the Year award.[6] The 156 saloon was discontinued in Europe late in 2005, while the Q4 Crosswagon continued in production until the end of 2007.[7]

Cars were assembled at the Fiat Group factory in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy and at a General Motors facility in Rayong, Thailand. Production in Thailand began in March 2002 and ran for only a couple of years. The cars produced there were targeted for the Asia-Pacific markets.[8] Between 1996[1][9] and 2007, 673,435 units of the 156 were produced.[10]

The 156 was available in saloon, Sportwagon (estate) and Crosswagon (crossover) bodystyles with seven engine configurations; it went through two facelifts, first in 2002 and then in 2003. The Sportwagon advertising campaign was made featuring actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.[11]

In 2005, the 159 became the replacement for the 156.

  1. ^ a b "FIAT ePER VIN: ZAR93200000000003". pekidi.com. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Alfa 156: Reinvention of the sports saloon". alfaromeopress.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Automotive Intelligence News". autointell.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Unique performance automatic gearboxes for the new Alfa Romeo 156". autoweb.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  5. ^ "Press release 01/09/1997". alfaromeopress.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Rewind to 1998: Alfa Romeo 156". Quicks. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Alfa Romeo Crosswagon Q4". autozine.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 18 February 2012.
  8. ^ "Equipment boost for 2002 Alfa Romeo 166". autoweb.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
  9. ^ "Alfa 147, 156, 159, 166, GT production dates". bozhdynsky.com. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Le 20 auto più vendute nella storia del Biscione". quattroruote.it (in Italian). Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Catherine Zeta Jones rides at Alfa Romeo". fleshtival.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.