ALFA Romeo test drive 156 1997 - 2003 sedan
Final on a neutral field
They deserve the right to be considered the best of the best. And yet, which of them is the most? The answer is by no means as predicting as you think. A football fan is well known that despite the motley composition of other commands of handwriting, each national championship has its own. Spanish championship cannot be confused with English, French with Ukrainian. The pragmatic and extremely effective German Bundesliga and the explosive, which is unrelated to logic and common sense, Italian Calcho. Does the last couple remind you of something? Why, we have just briefly described the characters of the two most famous drivers of the European class D-BMW of the 3rd series and Alfa-Romeo-156. But who is the best? So, gentlemen, the match of the year is Milan against Bavaria. Moreover, the final, as in the real Champions League, will take place on a neutral field - on the streets of Moscow and the special roads of the Dmitrovsky auto policy.
Two different views on mayonnaise, that is, dash panels. What do you like more - Italian division or German thoroughness?
Pay attention to how much the central BMW console is wider and more powerful than that of Alfa Romeo. And the quality of decoration materials can be judged even by photography
Victory for a clear advantage? The rivals approached the decisive match in different sports form. Alpha Romeo, by the way, is very good. After all, the 156th became the model thanks to which the health of the Italian brand, even slowly, correctly recovered. And the point here is not only in victory at the prestigious Euro contest of the car of the year. The increased quality and reliability is much more important, and ultimately the return of customer trust. Over one hundred thousand people acquired the brand new 156th only last year. For the manufacturer, quite prestigious and very specific cars are an excellent result.
However, he fades against the background of the indicators of the BMW - the sole leader in the segment D. The whole press of the world, as if conspiracy, calls a three -class ideal sedan. About the combination of comfort and paranormal controllability, only do not compose legends. Moreover, which visited tests in the BMW limousine, despite the index 320, which implies the installation of a two-liter, and therefore 4-cylinder engine, is actually equipped with a in-line six with a capacity of 2.2 liters and a capacity of 170 liters. With. Is it to keep up with such indicators of a two-liter 150-horsepower alpha-romeo? Is the outcome of the match known before the start of the match? Let's see - the ball in the game!
Relatively ascetic interior of the 156th sets up an active ride. I wonder how passengers sitting behind, for whom there are enough places to react to this
The abundance of buttons on the front panel of the BMW resembles a cockpit of the aircraft - perhaps not a military, but very modern and fast
The most comfortable sofa in the entire history of threek. However, it is convenient to sit there only together - the rear tunnel is too high and wide
Mom Mia, Italy! It looks like a miracle, but in the first attack Italians open an account. In a different way, however, it could not be. No matter how hard the designers try from Germany, France, Japan and the USA, but they did not learn to make cars more beautiful than Italian. Only one small stroke. Alfa -Romeo is the only company in the world that shifts the front license plate frame to the left of the center, so that the prosaic tin does not spoil the impression of the corporate milan medallion. The design of this machine - both in general and in private - is designed to attract attention. You will definitely notice the Milan beauty and look even in the dense and colorful city stream. We will not deny ourselves such pleasure and we. Indeed, in addition to the characteristic and unique front part in the alpha, one cannot fail to note the door opening handle hidden in the rear racks, because of which a spacious sedan seems to be a sports compartment, and elegant rear lights. And how much sophistication and sophistication in such prosaic things as wheel wheels or decorative casing of the engine! Famestyskolo !!!
True, it was not without punctures. Perhaps foreign colleagues and front door handles are inserted into ecstasy. They reminded me of Volga-GAZ-24. Agree, from such a comparison it can be crushed. Well, okay, a trifle. Forgot.
But the perfectly balanced and seemingly deprived of weaknesses, the truly German appearance of BMW, unexpectedly faded in my eyes. No, Bimer did not become worse, on the contrary, the longer you look at it seems to be simple, but at the same time extremely harmonious conjugation of the lines, the more it likes it. Gorgeous headlights, predatory nostrils, a bullying back, but it is worth a look at the alpha standing nearby, and the Bavar immediately loses a fair amount of its attractiveness. What is there, remind, the enemy of the good?
Play our match ten years earlier, the Germans would certainly squeeze the missed goal - for the conscientiousness of the assembly, and then they would go forward - in terms of coloring. But now the defense of the Milantsev no longer resembles a passing yard. At least at the very first glance, the assembly and painting of alpha is not inferior to Bimer.
What is how much?
At the Kaliningrad enterprise, Autotor is assembled BMW-320 in one single, but very rich configuration of SE with an automatic gearbox. For 32,900 euros, that is, about $ 29,900, you get almost all the benefits of civilization. Among them are climate control, a leather salon, a full electric package, alarm with remote control, a central lock, a package for bad roads, heating seats, headlight washers. Also, do not forget about six airbags with a passenger seats, ABS employment sensor, a traction control system and self -diagnosing device and a self -diagnosing device - all this is part of the standard.
Alfa-Romeo is also not easy. For $ 23,000, this is how much basic equipment costs, you get a 2.0-liter version with a regular mechanical box, climate control, ABS, a system of distribution of brake efforts, four airbags, electric windows, immobilizer, a central locking castle, and electric control mirrors as well as fog lights.
The car, which has visited our test, is estimated at $ 26,000. The extra three thousand includes the gearbox of the Celezpid, cast discs, washer washers, and electric windows of the rear doors. For an additional fee, you can order a leather salon from the company MOMO five different colors - to choose from.
Order and class Nevertheless, the Germans soon recoup and step forward. Because the only element in the alpha salon that exceeds BMW is the front seats. They are in the 156th, in fact, perfectly good. The impressive rollers of lateral and femoral support carefully but tightly cover the body, thereby allowing you to maintain an optimal position even in the coolest turn. The Bavarian seats still look too much in the barn. And not only because they are upholstered with genuine leather. A wide pillow and back and a weak hint of lateral support are more likely to be designed for comfortable distillations between traffic lights than aggressive maneuvering.
Otherwise, Alfa has no chance. The quality of finishing materials at best is not bad, and against the background of first -class German ones, it looks very mediocre. The clarity of the secondary controls, for example, the windows buttons, leaves much to be desired, and they are not a masterpiece in execution. There were no misses in ergonomics. The steering wheel blocks the left upper speedometer segment. The rest, however, is all the type, including the scope for the rear passengers - two will arrange with convenience, three without it. And to be Italians in a good account, if there were no threeks in the world.
Comparing the quality of the finish, the quality of the assembly and attention to all the conceivable details of these machines is a hopeless business. The same as finding out who is stronger, Bavaria or the deposit club of the second league. The only complaint that looks more like eternal grumbling bores, small keys for controlling the audio system and climate control. Yes, maybe the design of the dashboard, not changing for many years, is too rustic. The latter, however, is for an amateur.
So what, pre -match forecasts seem to come true?
Beautiful from any point of view, this is also said about BMW with alpha -romeo
Each hut has its own toys - the in -line four alpha has two candles on the cylinder, and Bavarians longitudinally placed in a row six under the hood without any problems
The goalkeeper was over There was no at all - the cheerful Italians compare the score. And what incredible goal the Germans miss! It’s hard to believe, but the two-liter 150-horsepower alpha turned out to be faster than BMW, which has twenty horses. Fiction? Yes and no. The fact is that the German gearbox turned out to be guilty. Automatic 5-speed stepmithic, which we tirelessly praised (and we will praise!) For smooth switching and instant responsiveness, there is nothing to blame for. Just his competitor, the gearbox of Selespeed, despite the lack of adhesion pedal, is actually still mechanical. Unclear? Now we will figure it out.
In a mechanical switching box, they occur in three stages. First, you turn off (squeeze) the clutch, thereby removing the thrust from the drive wheels, then select the desired gear and only then turn on the clutch (release the pedal), and the torque is again transmitted to the wheels. Celespid works in the same scheme, only without the participation of the driver, that is, he does everything himself. Moreover, you can enjoy a completely automatic mode - you just need to press the City button (city) and forget about switching until the end of the trip. And if desired, it is easy to give a gasket, putting the box into a sequential switch mode. Know yourself click an elegant lever forward or backward, accordingly, increasing or lowering the gear. In a word, Celeespid is universal, as the goalkeeper was in the courtyard football teams - maybe to stand in the gate and to interview goals. But we have not yet mentioned the possibility of switching gears on the steering wheel!
But even without these toys, the 156th wins the 320th low start. Subjectively, the difference seems slightly less than can be judged by the results of the tests. The possible reason lies in the temperature difference when measuring two cars, so that BMW can be dropped from the acceleration of about half a second. However, the drogsters races are for Americans. Europeans do not think of sports driving without a mountain serpentine.
Break out the musical system of BMW business to attackers
There is no sense. It will not even suit the exactly the same threele
Correct key with built -in remote control and disconnection of the immobilizer
On the steering wheel of BMW traditionally cramped - here are the buttons of the audio system, and control of the cruise control and the inclusion of the speakerphone
Italian front chairs are just amazing
Climate control handles are very convenient, very original and quite compact
A large deflector over the dashboard looks alapovato
Exchange of blows Rather, the exchange of goals. The controllability of both cars can serve as a standard. In the case of BMW - for rear -wheel drive, and alpha for front -wheel drive cars. Hence your nuances. By controlling the three, you, figuratively speaking, become a coach, whose orders of which football players understand at a glance and fulfill them implicitly. You have to relax relaxed on the bench, occasionally adjusting the actions of subordinates. In Alfa-Romeo, you are more likely playing a coach who keeps up with both attack, midfield, and develop the general strategy of the game.
Too figurative? Would you like specifics? Please. The steering in BMW seems too light for a sports plan for a car, because in quick turns the driver does not have enough feedback. You will feel some kind of disunity with the car, but this impression is deceptive. It is worth getting used to a lightweight steering wheel - and this, I assure, will come very quickly - and you can fully enjoy the car close to neutral controllability. It is also captivating that the suspension, bravely fighting with the rolls and does not pass the shocks to the steering wheel even from the largest bumps, is quite comfortable in daily operation.
The 156th steering wheel is noticeably more acute - from the stop to the stop only 2.2 turns, the beimer has more than three - therefore, it dawns more fun into turns. True, where the treshka will continue to bend its line, the alpha will probably slide out the wheels, but it will just as willingly and supple allow you to correct the error with the steering wheel and gas.
The only thing, be afraid of long gentle waves at high speeds. The Italian suspension is not as energy intensive as that of BMW. It is rather imprisoned for filtering and working out small and medium flaws of coating, otherwise it can unite.
The incomparable Celeespid
The Italian gearbox seems so convenient and practical that the question arises, why did other automakers still have not followed the example of Alfa Romeo? After all, it was honest, Celespid is the desired golden mean between the comfort of the machine and the sports of mechanics. We have already talked about the main possibilities of the box, but there are still curious details that should be mentioned. Suppose you roll around the city at a calm pace, switching gear yourself. In such a situation, the process of switching takes about one and a half seconds, about the same amount of time is spent by the ordinary driver, wielding a lever of mechanics. However, if the electronic box control unit noticed that you are twisting the engine for 5000 rpm and squeeze the accelerator by more than 60% of the pedal, then the behavior of the Celespid changes sharply. Now the same process will take only 0.4-0.5 s. Even Schumacher will not be able to switch so quickly!
But that's not all. When you remove the gas, approaching the turn, the Celespid immediately encourages a low gear, carrying out the engine in braking. In addition, when leaving the turn in the box, the best to accelerate transmission will be included. The engine never stalls with the Celeespid, while moving forward, the computer will not allow you to turn on the reverse, and the thrust on the drive wheels is preserved even when the leg is removed from the gas pedal. This advantage is difficult to overestimate on a slippery road.
Self -diagnostics system are built into Celeespid. In case of problems, she will choose a gentle mode of operation and will allow you to reach the service without problems. However, judging by the fact that the Celespides began to install on new fiat-stood, this wonderful transmission has no particular problems with reliability.
Transfiguration buttons on the steering wheel is only one of the wonderful features of the Celestide
Will there be an additional time?
Contrary to all the pre -match layouts, the Italians, as we see, fought on equal terms to the very end. Nevertheless, stubborn Germans squeezed the proud Latins. In English -language automotive journalism, the concept of Refinement, which can be translated into Russian as refinement, sophistication. This very reefinition implies a combination of sound insulation and aerodynamic qualities that protect the driver from discomfort and stress. The German has this indicator at the highest level. Only scaling tires begin to make noise at autobaste speeds. Alfa-Romeo is good at best. As soon as the speedometer arrow is crossed by a hundred, as the wind begins to walk around the racks. And the predatory roar of the engine is clearly heard in the salon in the middle range. True, the true fans of Alfa Romeo will probably call this sound the sweetest music. One way or another, the whistle of the arbitrator, the match is finished - with an advantage into one ball, Bavaria defeated.
For the design and sports behavior of Alfa Romeo, one has to pay, including a modest trunk - a high edge, a narrow opening and only 380 liters of useful volume. In BMW, this indicator is slightly higher - 440 liters. But in both cars you can find a lovingly designed set of keys and screwdrivers
Victory without a penalty
After a fight with fists, it is not customary to wave. Therefore, we will leave idle discussions about the preferences of the judges to the notorious reefiniment. Indeed, with all due respect to the efforts of Italians, we will be honest to improve their quality and reliability - they are far from Bundesliga. Yes, of course, all over the world Alfa Romeo is much cheaper than the German counterpart in similar configuration. So, in England, the difference in price is about seven to eight thousand dollars. But in Russia, the Kaliningrad assembly of treshka has come to naught and this seemingly one hundred percent trump card of the 156th.
Nevertheless, Alfa flickering on Moscow streets clearly indicate that there are still people in our country who are ready to pay for the exquisite style and truly sports character of this magnificent sedan. From ourselves, we add that in combination with the Celezpid box, such a choice seems not only impressive, but also worthy of respect.
The glove boxes of both machines fully justify their name - to put something more serious than gloves there is difficult
BMW-320ia
Per
Great quality,
the prestige of the brand,
great driving characteristics,
energy -intensive suspension,
acceptable price
Against
The rear seat is intended only for two,
not too informative steering wheel
Alfa-Romeo-156-Seleshpid
Per
Memorable appearance,
very comfortable driver's seat,
the cunning gearbox,
good handling
Against
Not the highest quality materials of the upholstery of the cabin,
small flaws of ergonomics,
bMW level price
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
Source: Magazine "Limousine" [07/01]
