The
facelifted Alfa 156 and Sportwagon, including a saloon equipped with the
brand new 140 bhp 1.9 JTD 16v power unit, introduced earlier this year,
can be seen at the French Show.
The two cars were presented last February and now feature completely new interiors plus better performance, total safety and more in-car equipment. The New 156s were the first to breathe new life into the GTA legend, on the stand you can see a 156 GTA with a 250 bhp 3.2 V6 24 valve engine, and to adopt the revolutionary petrol engine with direct injection, an Alfa 156 2.0 JTS is on show in Paris. The only features that have remained unchanged are the exterior styling and the outstanding dynamism that ordained the model's worldwide success.
The interiors have been greatly changed through major and minor changes to the appearance. Firstly, the facia has been fully revised to make it better looking and more practical. The central part has been redesigned and now houses a multifunction display. And more. Chrome inserts that match the glove compartment lock barrel stand out against a new facia trim embossed with a new pattern.
The steering wheel range also looks different and new materials have been introduced. The central diffuser upper outlets are also brand new. Now they are bigger and feature horizontal and vertical adjustment for improved airflow. The console has also been restyled to include roomier storage compartments. The door mirror and foglight controls are located in a more ergonomic position. A new front armrest, fitted as standard, is also revealed as a convenient oddment compartment.
Great care and attention has gone into the cloth and leather upholstery on the New Alfa 156. Customers can choose between three interior specifications: Classic in grey or blue shades, Elegant in light beige and a darker sporty type that takes the form of black cloth run through with a red or grey rubber thread. The perforated leather trims come in five colours: black, blue, grey, red and natural. A sporty black leather upholstery is also available.
A passenger compartment full of new features with very linear styling in very best Alfa Romeo tradition and the spirit of a fast, powerful sports car. This is borne out, for example, by the red instrument panel, sill plate with aluminium inserts, the range of brand new design steering wheels (foam-padded, leather and wood) combined with new gear knobs and electrical radio controls.
Safety is improved on the
New Alfa 156 too. Active safety has been improved by the optional addition
of VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), an emergency brake assist system and
Xenon headlights. As far as passive safety is concerned, window bags and
ISOFIX attachments now come as standard on all model versions.
The New Alfa 156 and Sportwagon
inherits from its predecessor an interior that assures all the comfort
you expect from a sports saloon in terms of user-friendliness and space
available to driver and passengers. While adding the most advanced devices
the latest technology can offer: dual zone automatic climate control, Air
Quality Sensor (AQS) and a rain and demisting sensor. Options include Cruise
Control, CONNECT and a Bose® Sound System (standard on Distinctive
versions from the 2.0 JTS). The dashboard houses a built-in radio with
cassette or CD player according to the specification throughout the range.
>>> Alfa Romeo 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA at the Paris International Motor Show
