ALFA Romeo test drive 156 2003 - 2005 sedan
GTA standards
The most powerful Alfa Romeo teaches not to make mistakes
It is impossible to treat Alfa Romeo 156 GTA - not that car. It is not included in the circle of utilitarian and in some cases of faceless models - the fruits of modern globalization of automotive industry. This car is a thing in yourself, no matter how you turn it or turn it. It can be said, unique - and externally, and inside, and in running qualities. And given that one of us, until recently, owned the predecessor of the 156th and is now very much killed by its loss (in fact, it's okay - any car has to be sold sooner or later), then ... in general, we decided that we will allow ourselves a little liberty and tell you about this machine subjectively, with emotions. 
Yes, in the pictures you see the prerestyling Alfa Romeo 156GTA, although no further, as a couple of numbers ago, AI talked about the new appearance of this model. Everything is so. However, modernized versions have not yet reached Russia. And, to say by honor, the last alterations did not affect the technical side of the issue - the GTA filling will remain the same as it was at the birth of a car that took place last year, four years after the birth of the base 156th. It was precisely such a period that the Italians were needed to create a real alpha - only in a similar style the designers describe this machine. Why so? With a dozen years ago, Alfa Romeo has somewhat revised the requirements for her models. To please the mass consumer, they were made more combed, slightly cooling the temper, for which they were appreciated all over the world. No, Alfa Romeo still remained more sports compared to many competitors, but experts argued that the cars were not the same. Real Alfa Romeo
After spending 156GTA all day, we can say that the Italians are right - they managed to return the models of the sparkling character. First of all, a bright red car is fascinating, and with the driver it creates unusual things - awakens instincts. No, true! Here you will get up at six in the morning, as always not enough, swallow the cup of coffee, you’ll get behind the wheel, you will pull through the Moscow traffic jams to the Ruskon Motors car dealership, you will see Alfa Romeo - and that’s all, as it happened! I would like to immediately get behind the wheel and tear myself to the whole coil. And then in the evening to slowly ride some pedestrian zone, spitting on all signs - to admire how they admire you! And they envy, that's for sure. Dreams, of course, but they are confirmed in life. ... I see in the eyes of that pijon on the BMW 850 that I settled in our tail. We argue, you won’t get stolen? The acceleration numbers to a hundred of our passport are the same - 6.3 seconds, but you have an automatic machine, I have a mechanic, you are already seven years old, but I am not even a month. At the next traffic light, he becomes parallel and unequivocally plays with a pedal of gas, inviting to compete. You have no chance, - I wanted to tell him through the ajar glass. But today at the wheel is an egoist, he is in a hurry on business, so I'm sorry. Just humble yourself with the fact that you will have to observe the elegant stern very much - it will be less and less, and, finally, it will be hidden. Then, by the way, we were tempted to stop, wait for the offended and ask by chance: well, what, convinced? Although, what do you care about the pizons, and in general to everyone else? By and large, you do not even need a magnificent Bose audio system installed in the machine, because the best song for the owner is the melody of the motor, which, by the way, is absolutely inimitable.
On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine a person who is ready to experience fate at the wheel of 156 GTA every day. In principle, you can drive slowly on this car, but then it is asked - why did you buy yourself Alfa Romeo, and even in such an extreme version? There is no gentleman, the fate of 156 GTA calmly stand in the garage, until the owner once again felt a deficiency of adrenaline in the blood. And then he will launch the engine, and begins at a crazy speed, scaring passers -by and gaping motorists, drive along the road, trying to reach the limit of opportunities - both cars and his own body. And even if an hour later, the tank is empty, and the smell of pale rubber and steaming brake pads will begin to penetrate into the salon. So it should be - Alfa Romeo 156 GTA was created for this. Then, having arrived home, the owner will get a job in his favorite chair and, with a blissful expression on his face, will recall the best moments of the races that have just ended. And those who will be nearby will not understand, for some reason a smile arises on his physiognomy. He remembered how he punished the next rider on something in deep tuning, with the inscriptions of Street Racing and other rubbish, who had decided from something that he was on the road, who was on the road. Or - a fleeting vision of a girl by the road, who, she wanted to believe, looked for a long time in the trail, so really and not understanding what it flew past, leaving behind a small tornado, lifting her skirt. It is important to know the measure
What is the character of the machine? Well, for example, in many sweets who came off from Italian engineers who have long and painstakingly worked on setting up wheels of wheels. Naturally, they are all independent. Compared to the basic version of the machine, the spring and shock absorbers became more stringent, but not so much as to annoy with stool discomfort. Plus, more massive reptile stabilizers appeared in the chassis, the lower levers of the chassis of the front wheels became thicker. In addition, Alfa Romeo experts changed the gear ratio on the steering wheel, making it more sharp - imagine that from the stop to the stop, the steering wheel 156 GTA makes only 1.75 turns. On the road from this, of course, there are only advantages, but there was two tricks to unfold on narrow suburban highways. In general, I must say that although this car is a hundred percent sports car in a civil appearance, sharpness and pepper in it in moderation. Take, for example, a luxurious (you can’t imagine another word) engine. A V-shaped six with a volume of 3.2 liters develops 250 hp, and without any help of the superchargers. In the sports mode of movement, it allows the driver to be confident in constant traction, that is, it eliminates the need to wait for the moment of turning on the turbine and catch an easy skid from the suddenly added power. The 156 GTA power plant is distinguished by excellent evenly characteristics and a unique voice. At the same time, it is worth reducing the pace of movement and going calmly, you can safely slip the sixth gear, even if only 1,500 rpm on the tachometer - the whole charm of an atmospheric motor with a large volume is precisely this.
It is quite reasonable that to tame such potential Alfa Romeo radically processed brakes. In the arsenal of the machine, ventilated brake discs appeared with four-piston Brembo mechanisms, and on the ground it is based on 17-inch wheels, shod in low-profile bast shoes. In addition, in a difficult situation, when the car completely gets out of control, electronic systems are in a hurry to help the driver - ABS, EBD, ASR and emergency braking. Outwardly, 156 GTA from standard versions does not differ much: an aerodynamic body kit in a body circle, slightly more fanned wings and darkened lamp optics. That's all. It would seem that very light designer strokes, but the car began to look more aggressive. However, as expected by Alfa Romeo. Finally, the interior of the GTA version is made so that no one has doubts that it is a sports, sharp car. Judge for yourself: the skin -sheathed sports buckets, chrome edging of separate wells of each device, aluminum pedal overlays, edging the gearbox lever and the site for the rest of the left leg - everything speaks for itself. And again it has to be noted - there is no excessive sports in this, in 156GTA only in moderation. Perhaps that is how the charged car should be. All that is less - does not count, more - too much.
Well, and finally - traditionally about the price and competitors. The machine, which visited the test, was distinguished by a very rich equipment with good music and a climate control system. Its cost for dealers is 44,500 euros. By the way, I forgot to say that 156 GTA is also proposed with a station wagon, which will cost 400 euros more. Warranty - two years without mileage restriction. And the main rivals of 156 GTA on the road are BMW M3, Audi S4 and Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG. Yes, they almost forgot - that GTA teaches not to make mistakes. The way it is...
Andrey Osipov, Sergey Ilyinsky
Brief technical characteristics of Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 3179
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 250/6200
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 300/4800
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 250
Maximum speed, km/h: 12.1
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 63
Dimensions, mm.: 4430x1765x1411
Source: "Automobile Izvestia"
