Alfa's anti-estate

The brilliant 156 has been a tremendous boost for Alfa Romeo generating a resurge of interest in one of the world’s most famous car makers.

The fact that the orders books were jammed long before the car went on sale and a waiting list that stretched on for months after it did tells it all.

Already deemed a ‘classic’ the 156 is set to become the company’s most successful car ever, handsomely fulfilling the brief to build a class-leading saloon. And a saloon was all it was to be. However with Audi, Mercedes and BMW turning their small exec cars into sporty estates the pressure was on Alfa.

Only once before have they produced an estate, and that was based on the 33... and the less said about that the better.

Enter the 156 Est...oops, Sportwagon.

It’s not an estate, stress Alfa, but more of an anti-estate estate that puts style ahead of practicality.

Based on the running gear of the saloon, the dynamically-styled five-door Sportwagon is barely as spacious as a small hatchback. Load carrying, say Alfa, is not a specific need with the sort of driver who will buy this car - a slightly more versatile, more stylish alternative to the saloon.

The transformation has seen no groundbeaking technical changes. It has the same 2595mm wheelbase and is a few centimetres longer by virtue of an extended rear overhang. The lengthened, tapered roofline and rear lift is reduced by a built-in spoiler over the rear hatch.

While the front looks are no different to the saloon, it is the rear that has changed dramatically with redesigned doors to suit the sleek roofline and a high-lifting hinged tailgate incorporating a large section of the rear roof panel. And, like the saloon, the rear door handles are concealed in the window frames.

The gorgeous interior is along similar lines to the saloon with its wood finish and identical dashboard. And harking back to the classic Alfas are three sporty dials angled towards the driver with sensibly placed controls. It all has such a quality feel about it.

It seats four with a slight reduction in rear space over the 156. Not that you would really notice - or would need to. Load space, as menched, is relatively small at just 360 litres - 18 litres less than the saloon. With the 60:40 split rear seats completely folded this increases to 1,180 litres.

Wheel arches somewhat intrude into the flat load area. However, there are a couple of storage bins above them for odds and ends, a ski hatch through the rear seat for awkward loads and a reversible carpeted boot floor to carry dirty and wet things. And there are nets everywhere in the boot to section off areas and arrange luggage to suit. Quite clever in fact.

Standard fittings include antilock braking, electronic brake distribution, remote central locking with anti-theft engine immobiliser, driver and passenger airbags and side airbags, stereo radio/CD player, electric windows and air conditioning. Options include auto levelling rear suspensions and six airbags.

POWER: Supplied by Alfa’s three well-proven power plants - two petrol engines, 1.8 litre and our test car, the 2.0 litre Twin Spark, which also has a Selespeed gearbox option, and a 2.4 litre JTD common rail diesel.

The Sportwagon is a car for keen drivers and the 2.0 litre power unit is no less impressive than the rest of the car when it comes to providing the get up and go. It’s a strong performer, maybe not quite as strong as the saloon – the est... er, Sportwagon carries 55kg more weight and proves it. Nevertheless, it still shifts very well, the engine outputting 155bhp at 6400rpm together with 138lb.ft of torque at 3,500rpm for a 0 to 60 in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 134mph. I averaged 26mpg.

It’s so sporty to drive with its slick gearchanging and quick and accurate steering. And like the saloon it handles with aplomb.