25.05.2004 The Alfa Romeo 158, their most significant new model for years, will take BMW AND Audi head on, we take an in-depth look at the design, platform AND engine range

New spy photography and inside information has led Italiaspeed to reveal a further impression of the upcoming Alfa Romeo 158. 

The car, codenamed Project 939, will replace the current 156 after an initial unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005.

Design

The car’s styling has been undertaken by Italdesign-Giugiaro, and draws heavily on the Italian master-designer’s recent Brera and Visconte concepts.

The new Alfa 158 will be dimensionally larger and visually bolder in appearance than the Alfa 156, as the Italian sportscar brand aims to catapult itself firmly into BMW and Mercedes territory.

The front of the car will have a very Brera-esque face, with headlights reminiscent of the striking coupe study. Unlike on the Brera, however, the headlight’s three separate round elements will be incorporated into one unit, behind a clear polycarbonate lens cover.

The large grille will be similar to that unveiled on the 166 facelift. Flanking the grille base on either side, will be two large air intakes. Sharp creases will run from the outer edges of these intakes, up alongside the headlights and continue over the front wings to the side window base line. This will provide the aggressiveness which made the Brera so sure-footed in appearance. The offset number plate location will be retained, allowing an ‘evolutionary’ effect to be projected.

The side flanks will be an evolution of 147 and 156, with single swages running from behind the front wheel arches towards the rear optical units.

Contrary as to what was previously believed, the hidden rear door handles will not be continued. Triangular-style alloy handles will be located conventionally on both the front and rear doors. Similar door handles were present on both the Brera and Visconte concept studies. The Visconte also previewed the Alfa 158 rear-view mirrors in their production form.

The rear boot will be higher, whilst the rear styling will be rounder than on the current 156. Initially, a Giulia-style boot indentation was considered, however recent rumours state that this striking design feature has been dropped in favour of a more conventional style. 

The Sportwagon version will have a pronounced lip between the glass section and tailgate base. It is unclear as to whether the Sportwagon will continue the spoiler design present on the current model. A recent study at Centro Richerche Fiat (CRF) towards the optimal aerodynamic form, presented a 156 SW with a modified tailgate whereby a spoiler was not included.

The rear optical units on the Alfa 158 will be larger and rounder than on recent Alfa models, with the designers anticipating a possible launch in the American market. High-powered Alfa 158 models will be fitted with dual exhaust pipes, with a pipe on either side of the bumper. The number plate housing will be similar to that present on the Alfa 147.

Platform

Based on the Premium platform, developed with GM and Saab, the Alfa 158 will offer front and four-wheel-drive options. It’ll be the first car to use the Premium platform, and will have an impressive 2805 mm wheelbase. To put this imposing dimension into perspective, the wheelbase will be 210 mm longer than that of the Alfa 156, and 105 mm longer than on the flagship Alfa 166. This increased wheelbase will generate a far roomier interior and improve the handling dynamics of the car.

The suspension will be double wishbone at the front with a highly revised multi-link set-up at the rear. Alfa Romeo engineers are currently developing four-wheel-steering, but it is still unclear when this option will be offered.

Engines

The new model will use the new family of all-alloy V6 engines presently being developed by GM. Alfa Romeo engineers are revising the units to gain more power, and importantly, create the traditional Alfa exhaust note. Alfa Romeo will be the first manufacturer to offer the new generation 2.8 and 3.2 V6 GM engines. The 2.2 litre engine has been exclusively developed for Alfa Romeo.

A new 3.0 V6 diesel engine will be sourced from Italian engine producer VM. Its modular design could allow a 4.0 V8 unit to be developed with reduced development costs at a later date. This particular engine may be introduced on the future Alfa 168 range (2006).

The Alfa 158 line-up next year will be powered by the following engine units:

• 1.8 JTS, 140bhp – 180Nm (**)

• 1.9 JTS, 160bhp – 200Nm (**)

• 2.2 JTS, 190bhp – 236Nm (**)

• 2.8 V6 JTS, 230bhp – 300Nm (**)

• 3.2 V6 JTS, 270bhp – 345Nm (**)

• 1.9 MJD, 120bhp – 270Nm (**)

• 1.9 MJD, 150bhp – 305Nm (**)

• 2.4 MJD, 200bhp – 440Nm (**)

• 3.0 V6 MJD, 250bhp – 540Nm (*) 

(*) standard Torsen-C 4wd transmission
(**) optional Torsen-C 4wd transmission

The new 2.0 MJD will be delayed until at least 2008, as engineers have discovered that the current 1.9 is very suitable for higher power outputs.  The same goes for the 2.5 in place of the 2.4.

In 2006 Alfa aim to make the first diesel production engine delivering beyond 100bhp per litre and 200Nm per litre with the 3.0 V6 MJD. The same year will see the introduction of a powerful series of high performance engines:

• 2.2 JTS Turbo Quadrifolgio Verde, 310bhp – 400Nm (*)

• 3.2 V6 JTS Biturbo GTA, 405bhp – 600+Nm (*)

• 1.9 MJD, 180bhp – 380Nm

• 3.0 V6 MJD Quadrifoglio Verde, 300bhp – 600Nm (*)

(*) standard Torsen-C 4wd transmission
(**) optional Torsen-C 4wd transmission

The 2006 Alfa 158GTA will be fitted with a Biturbo VCPh version of the new 3.2 V6 JTS.  It will have as much as 405bhp at 6000rpm and more than 600Nm of torque at 2000rpm. This engine was anticipated with the recent Italdesign-Guigiaro Visconte concept.

Launch date & future developments

The new Alfa 158 saloon will go on sale throughout Europe in April 2005, with the Sportwagon coming on stream in the autumn of that year. 

Seven packages will eventually be available with the Alfa 158, these are Impression, Progression, Distinctive, Lusso, TI, Quadrifoglio Verde and GTA. 

Alfa Romeo are also currently considering an even more potent GTAm version. With this model they would offer the most powerful car in the D-segment, blowing competition from BMW and Mercedes into submission.