ALFA Romeo test drive 156 2003 - 2005 sedan

Alpha is the berry again ...

One hundred and fifty six turned the fate of Alfa Romeo. The car of the year won the European competition, burst into the ratings of the best -selling segment cars D, conquered the hearts of the saturated German clientele. As a result, she again made respect for a glorious Italian brand.
 
At the same time, the car became a hostage to its own impeccable beauty. According to all the canons of marketing tactics, any model of the year after the start of production is usually subjected to facelift. The 156th was strongly not succumbing to the threat of destroying the elegant-shallow appearance loved by many. The modernization carried out in the winter of 2002 practically did not affect the appearance of the machine, realized in the revision of the line of motors and interior refreshment.

 

In order to revive demand, restyling was needed. But there was no one competently conducting it: the author of the car Walter de Silva today serves the position of Audi chief designer, his successor as director of the style of the style of Andreas Blatinas today in a similar position in Subaru. There is apparently not to the new personnel of complete confidence. I had to turn to a third -party studio, from which an authoritative Italdesign was chosen, led by Georgeto Jujaro, recognized by the international jury, the best automobile designer of the 20th century. By the way, in the mid -nineties, when the future model 156 was in the design stage, Italdesign lost the tender for the development of its design just to the branded center of style. He lost to Pininfarina and Bertone as two other lawmakers.

 

You see the result of the faces in the pictures. Only the nasal part has changed dramatically, and the Afas Alpha has now become tougher, massive and angry in German. The rear lights are differently decorated, more precisely, those sectors that enter the trunk cover. Inside, everything was limited to insignificant strokes: here are new chairs, a new audio system, various color combinations of finishing materials are provided. In terms of mechanics, only the suspension was reconfigured in order to adapt to the electronic stabilization system of a new generation.
 
And there was a new turbodiesel, however, this does not concern us Russians. Only two modifications are officially delivered to us: 2.0 T. Spark with a well-deserved 150-horsepower engine, which is no longer offered in Europe, and the 250-horsepower GTA. There are two gearboxes: mechanics and again mechanics, but with an automatic clutch, called Selespeed. The price of the machine in the basic configuration of Impression is a lot of 32,500 dollars, but it is equipped with it. VDC stabilization system (non -clogged), two anti -scraping systems (in longitudinal and transverse directions), eight airbags. Separate climate control, multifunctional leather steering wheel, a Bose Acouster CD, full electric package, rain and outdoor lighting sensors, heating the front seats. Finishing the seats velor plus fabric. From external surroundings, cast discs and fog.
 
I managed to ride on a two -liter Celestide. Fortunately, the 156th alpha remained the same super-toning, truly sports. Dead grip of chairs, hard, gathered in a single fist suspension. Lightning, almost intuitive, gas reactions, brake and steering wheel. The motor is as usual emotional: above the momentum is better than the craving, and the inclusion of the limiter is always unexpected. And each time he breaks off the aggressive bass voice of the engine on a high, most beautiful note.

  

The transmission buttons on the knitting needles of the steering wheel allow you to control the transmission on steep turns without taking off your hands from the steering wheel. Selespeed works quickly, but sharply, which requires adaptation to its habits, namely jewelry synchronization of work with transmission petals and gas pedal. Actively traveling in fully automatic City mode is hard due to the plugs and grafting during switching, but for calm run in a tight stream, it suits perfectly. Well, the brakes are bare nerves: the pedal touched a little, and the speedometer arrow collapsed down.
 
Alfa Romeo, in its role, an alternative brand for people with an aggravated sense of beauty. The choice of those who vote with their hearts, not mind. And one hundred and fifty -sixth connoisseurs will definitely not disappoint.
 

The car was provided by the Center-Spraz company, the official dealer Fiat Auto Spa
During the test, the car is insured by LLC Nation Center.
 
Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 79/2004]