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The Alfa Romeo
157, due for launch at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in
March, is set to enrich Alfa Romeo’s reputation as a
producer of true sporting saloons.
Achieving the ideal combination of comfort, sports,
elegance, and practicality is a tough challenge when
developing new cars, but the new Alfa Romeo 157 appears to
have a blend set to make this car a strong competitor in the
highly competitive ‘D’ sector.
Although it has become clear that certain variants of the
Alfa 156 replacement are to be fitted with GM-sourced engines,
Alfa Romeo engineers insist that the potent nature of the
Alfa Romeo 157 will not be diluted, but rather it will be enhanced.
Paolo Massai, vice president of the Alfa Romeo engineering
development centre, is a passionate man when it comes to his
job.
When questioned on the implications of the new GM V6
destined for future Alfa models, Massai made it clear that
the engine will still be mainly Alfa designed, referring to
the GM block as an “insensitive and inanimate piece of
metal".
The pistons, cylinder liners, combustion chambers,
manifolds, injection system and electronics are just a few
examples of what will be Alfa Romeo designed. Massai also
mentioned that the Alfa engineering team had been hard at
work replicating the traditional Alfa V6 engine sound, and
light-heartedly declared that he would quit his job if they
didn't achieve it!
Of particular interest is the Alfa Romeo
157 Q4 model, which will be fitted with a permanent
four-wheel-drive system, in combination with
all-wheel-steering.
Already fitted to the 156 Crosswagon, the Torson C based
four-wheel drive integral traction layout will be better
suited to the new Premium platform, and has been subject to
a number of modifications.
The central Torson C differential will be accompanied by a
new “active” rear differential, not dissimilar in design to
that fitted to the Ferrari F430. It will thus be possible to
direct different amounts of torque to the rear wheels,
improving stability, cornering competency, and should assist
in keeping the chassis stable under all conditions.
Advanced
active rear anti-roll bars will also be fitted, supporting
both high speed handling, and comfort, depending of driving
style.
The new generation all-wheel-steering system (AWS), in
combination with the active rear differential, will ensure
high vehicle stability, reducing over steer in high-speed
corners, whilst also improving vehicle agility in the city
environment.
Ride and
handling will be further improved by the standard suspension
layout of the Alfa 157. The front will be of quadrilateral
type, whereas a tri-link design will be used at the rear.
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