Test drives and reviews of Alfa Romeo 156 (Alfa Romeo 156). Final on neutral ground

Victory for a clear advantage?

The opponents approached the decisive match in different sports uniforms. “Alfa Romeo”, by the way, in a very good one. After all 156– I became the model, thanks to which the health of the Italian brand, albeit slowly, but surely, began to improve. And it’s not just about winning the prestigious European competition “Car of the Year”. Much more important is the increased quality and reliability, and ultimately the return of consumer confidence. Over a hundred thousand people bought brand new 156s last year alone. For a manufacturer of quite prestigious and very specific cars, an excellent result.

However, it fades against the background of BMW’s performance – the sole leader in the D segment. The entire press of the world, as if by agreement, calls the “three-ruble note” an ideal middle-class sedan. About the combination of comfort and paranormal handling unless they make up legends. Moreover, BMW, which was tested in the Limousine, despite the 320 index, which implies the installation of a two-liter, and therefore, a 4-cylinder engine, is actually equipped with an in-line “six” with a volume of 2.2 liters and a power of 170 liters. With. Is it possible to keep up with such indicators of a two-liter 150-horsepower Alfa Romeo? Is the outcome of the fight known even before the start of the match? Let’s see – the ball is in play!

Video

Specifications

power unit

The engine compartment of the Italian car received four 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engines that belong to the Twin Spark class (2 candles are installed for each cylinder). The base engine was a 1.6-liter 120-horsepower engine. Further, the Italians offered a 1.8-liter 144-horsepower power plant. The next “level” was a 2.0-liter engine generating 155 horsepower.

For those for whom this was not enough, the company offered a powerful V-shaped 2.5-liter 6-cylinder gasoline power plant, which made it possible to develop 190 horsepower (218 Nm). Such a motor allowed the sedan to accelerate from standstill to the first hundred in 7.5 seconds, and its maximum speed was 230 kilometers per hour.

However, it was far from the most powerful gasoline-powered engine. This is a fairly rare 3.2-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder power plant that produces 250 horsepower (300 Nm). With such an “engine”, the Alfa Romeo 156 accelerates to 100 km / h in 6 seconds, and its top speed is about 250 kilometers per hour.

In addition, there were diesel engines with a displacement of 1.9 and 2.4 liters. They received Commona Rail direct injection technology and gas turbine supercharging. The youngest produced 115 horsepower, and the most powerful – 175 “horses” (385 Nm). In general, the engines are quite reliable. They meet Euro-3 standards. As you can see, the characteristics of the Alfa Romeo 156 are pretty good, especially for their time.

Transmission

For a bunch of wheels and motors, Italian engineers decided to use a 5- or 6-speed manual gearbox. In addition, it was possible to install a 5-speed robotic version of Selespeed, which supported manual control, which at that time was a serious technical breakthrough in this segment of vehicles.

It is important to note that the previous version of Alfa Romeo 155, had problems with corrosion, which was completely solved on the 156th model. In addition, specialists have worked with electronics, which has become more reliable.

Chassis

As for the Alfa Romeo 156 suspension, the company’s specialists decided to install a fully independent suspension, which turned out to be quite comfortable. Ahead here is the well-known for many McPherson. The brake system has 281- and 251-mm disc devices front and rear, respectively. Speaking of more powerful modifications, they already boasted more powerful mechanisms. It is planned to install ABS, EBD, VDS systems (non-switchable stability control system).

Safety

The Italian model Alfa Romeo 156 had not only good looks and a pleasant interior, but also a high level of passive and active safety. The car received dynamic braking control, ABS and a dynamic constantly active VDC stabilization system. The interior of the car boasts not only side and front airbags, but also inflatable head curtains. It can be seen that the company’s engineers devoted a lot of time to the safety issue of the Alfa Romeo 156.

Will there be extra time?

Contrary to all the pre-match layouts, the Italians, as we see, fought on equal terms until the very end. Nevertheless, the stubborn Germans put the squeeze on the proud Latins. There is a concept of “refinement” in English-language automotive journalism, which can be translated into Russian as “refinedness, sophistication”. This very “refining” implies a combination of sound insulation and aerodynamic qualities that save the driver from discomfort and stress. The “German” with this indicator is at the highest level. Only razlapistye tires begin to make noise at “autobahn” speeds. “Alfa Romeo” is at best “good”. It is necessary for the speedometer needle to pass over a hundred, as the wind begins to walk around the racks. And the predatory roar of the engine is clearly audible in the cabin already in the middle range. True, true Alfa Romeo fans will surely call this sound the sweetest music. One way or another, the referee’s whistle, the match is over – Bayern won by a margin of one goal.

Hate: Stiff and vulnerable suspension

It is clear that the estimated suspension stiffness bar for all drivers is at different heights. Someone writes that this is a very serious minus, that because of it you have to go around even small bumps, that while driving an Alpha you feel with your fifth point every cigarette butt thrown onto the road, not to mention the joints, and even driving through a sewer manhole and does leave the most unpleasant sensations, comparable to going to the dentist. And God forbid, give the car keys to your wife or girlfriend for a while. You will definitely hear something like “This is the worst car in my life”, because the suspension is too stiff, the brakes are too harsh, the damn robot works in a strange way, it is difficult to open the trunk, and in general I didn’t like it.

Someone, on the contrary, considers the suspension to be very comfortable, elastic and energy-intensive. But, as always, the truth is somewhere in the middle, and the most objective assessment of the suspension is by those who write that it is “harsh, but does not give back and ass, all blows are dampened by the body and springs”, while they perceive this stiffness as inevitable payment for the same control over the car and militant character.

Suspension Alfa Romeo 156

Another thing is worse: the suspension of the 156th cannot be called not only “indestructible”, but also simply hardy. When hitting each hole in the head of the Alfista, thoughts of a quick and unexpected suspension repair, which, moreover, cannot be called cheap, rush through. We change the stabilizer struts at every MOT, and sometimes more often. Some have to do this three times in 15,000 km. The front upper arms and ball joints require replacement every 30-40 thousand kilometers. And this weakness is noted even by those who evaluate the suspension quite positively in terms of smoothness: “The suspension is very comfortable. The only downside is that she is soft. Once a year, be sure to change something, then levers in front, then behind.

Tags