ALFA Romeo test drive 156 2003 - 2005 sedan
Liberal Romeo
At the end of 2002, Russian dealers appeared updated by Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark. In winter, it would be difficult to objectively evaluate the restyling of the car - I had to wait for spring to hint about itself. So, the 156th and 5 c above zero.At first glance, it seems that outside the 156th remained untouched. But no. Some fresh strokes in the exterior are still indicated. In particular, mirrors, bumper lining and the lower part of the anterior optics that sheltered fog lights - all this now has the color of the body. The headlights have changed a bit: instead of the usual reflector, the near light flows through the lenses.
Under the hood, as before, a two -liter injector engine operates. Its capacity decreased from 155 to 150 horsepower for the sake of the requirements of Euro IV (the previous modification of the 156th complies with the EURO III standards). This does not mean at all that the Italians even strangled the high -speed potential of the model on the yota. No. All technical indicators remained practically unchanged.
The machine still briskly picks up from the bottom, accelerating to one hundred kilometers per hour in less than ten seconds. True, the city roads did not allow us to enjoy the Italian reactivity to the end: the sporty nature of the suspension leaves actually all the pits in the back. It is quite dangerous to go around them without a habit of acute steering, since the slightest deviation of the helm from zero leads to a change in the trajectory of the car.
It would be incorrect to vaccinate Alfa Romeo a purely sports temperament. This car can start at idle, which is ideal for calm movement around the city. Switching speeds occurs at 3000 min-1. Therefore, in the metropolis, we felt very comfortable.
As for the update of the cabin, the central console can now please the driver and passengers with a standard CD brush with an additional control panel on the steering wheel knitting needles. The device is quite convenient, because it allows you not to be distracted on the road for extra movements.
Continuing to look for changes (we have been familiar with the 156th for two years, see No. 1-2 for 2001), we note the transfer of the on-board computer display from the instrument shield to the central console. The diagonal of the shield has become much larger, which positively affects the process of reading information. Otherwise, the climate installation control unit also operates. Now the driver and the front passenger can form each other around him without looking at each other, which is also a big plus. And now this is the basic option. But the fact that the external mirrors control handle were transferred to the cululis of a five -speed gearbox is unlikely to be perceived unambiguously. Even in our small company there were supporters of the joystick on the door panel from the driver's side.
The rest of the 156th is the same: leather, stylish design of devices, a full electrical package and many, many places for passengers.
Conducting the update of the security system. The 156th 2002 model year acquired two additional Airbeg. Now there are eight. All this, coupled with the work of ABS and EBD, inspires an incredible sense of confidence on the road.
It is hoped that Alfa Romeo 156 after restyling will appeal to the Russian motorist. One thing is definitely clear: innovations are not scared away by the admirers of the brand, since they are not radical.
Technical characteristics of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark
Body - sedan o Number of places, people. - 5 o equipped mass, kg - 1230 o dimensions (length/width/height), mm - 4430/1745/1415 O base, mm - 2595 o maximum speed, km/h - 220 o counter. fuel consumption (mixed cycle), l/100 km-10.2 o engine: gasoline, in order, 4-cyl., 16-valve.; slave. volume, cm3 - 1970o transmission - front -wheel drive; Mechanical, 5-speed KP. o suspension: before./rear. - Independent O brakes: front - disk, ventilated; Rear - disk ohille control - gear -rake, with gur o price, $ - 27000.
Text: Alexey Kastitsa
Source: Magazine 5 wheel
