The Alfa 156 1.6 widens the reach

IT was the model version many had been waiting for...

Now the car that has turned the heads – and the fortunes for Alfa Romeo – the 156 is within the reach of a much wider audience, thanks to the addition of a 1.6 litre entry level model.

But don’t be misled by those words entry level. Apart from a smaller engine this is every bit the 156 that grabbed a rake of awards. It’s brought no skimping. Dimensions and externally it is identical: in fact if it wasn’t for the badge on the back there would be little to visibly differ the 1.6 from its bigger-engined brothers.

It’s all there – from the swoopy, deep V-grille to its elegant tail lights, the 156 is a car that dares you to overlook it. Distinctive, imaginative, beautiful.

An elegant four-door saloon that cleverly achieves a sporty two-door ‘coupe look’ by hiding the rear door handle in the window frame.

And that elegance carries through to the attractive cabin, which features the dash sculpted around the driver and housing large white speedo and rev counter dials set deep in a hooded cowling. The attractive mahogany effect centre console still hampers kneeroom slightly, but other than that there is little else to fault in a spacious car that offers a wealth of creature delights.

Seating all round is, naturally, comfortable, legroom front and rear good while round the back the boot is square and deep.

Features include remote cental locking, electric front windows (one touch for the driver’s side), stereo/radio CD player, leather covered steering wheel and gear lever knob, height adjustable driver-seat/steering wheel/front seats blets and front and rear seat armrests. And in the safety stakes double front and two side airbags, antilock braking and electronic brake distribution.

But, of course, it’s all been said before. Three years into its lifecycle and its still a car that will take a lot of beating. And that goes for the 1.6 litre version, too. Which brings us to...

The 156 is no lightweight car, but althugh called upon to work that bit harder, shifting 1230kg is little hardship for the 1.6 litre engine. Figures reflect how well this free-revving and surprisingly powerful engine responds: 120bhp at 6300rpm, 106lb.ft. of torque at 4500rpm for a 0 to 62mph in 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. And it uses the same short-legged five-speed gearbox – via a smooth, slick shift – used on the 1.8 and 2.0 litre models. We averaged 32.5mpg.

Of course the throaty growl is there, but otherwise all is quiet and smooth. Similarly with the ride and stability, the front wishbone and rear strut suspension layout easily taking care of road irregularities.

Performance, handling roadholding and safety are recognised as key factors in the success of the 156. The ‘economy class’ 1.6 continues the good work.