Alfa Romeo 156

The 2002-spec Alfa Romeo 156, featuring a redesigned interior, improved safety features and subtle cosmetic tweaks, is renewing its onslaught on SA’s ultra-competitive medium car sector.The 2002-spec Alfa Romeo 156, featuring a redesigned interior, improved safety features and subtle cosmetic tweaks, is renewing its onslaught on SA’s ultra-competitive medium car sector.

Launched by Fiat Auto SA in 1998, the retro-inspired middle-weight from Turin has slugged it out with BMW’s 3-Series, Mercedes’ C-Class, Audi’s A4, Peugeot’s 406 and Volvo’s S40 for four years.

In the meantime, the range was broadened to include not only the two-litre 16-valve Twin Spark and 2,5-litre 24-valve V6, but also the two-litre Selespeed and V6 Sportwagon models.

But in the first comprehensive update to the interior of the 156 since the car’s launch in South Africa, Alfa Romeo has improved the level of standard specifications of its medium-ranger.

The “Distinctive Pack” specification, which is standard on all models in the 2002-spec 156, includes leather upholstery (in a choice of black, red, grey, blue and tan), trip computer, cruise control, an all-new steering wheel, Bose hi-fidelity system, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Brake Assist and six airbags.

The most noticeable feature of the new interior for the 156 is the larger ventilation pod mounted on the dashboard, which now includes an integrated computer display. The display is operated by a stalk on the steering column.

All 156s now have Dual Zone climate control with adjustable temperature and airflow controls for each side of the cabin.

One of the criticisms of the previous 156 was that its ventilation system was not as effective as that of its competitors, but Fiat Auto SA says the 156’s redesigned vents allow “for a improved airflow rates and precise temperature control in the cabin”.

In addition to driver’s and passenger’s front airbags, the 156 also has two seat-mounted side airbags and two window airbags.

The 2,0 Selespeed, 2,5 V6 24V and 2,5 V6 24V Sportwagon have a steering wheel with remote audio controls, headlamp washers, rain sensor, odour sensor and early misting sensor as standard equipment.

The look of the 156 has been spruced up with redesigned colour-coded bumpers, body-coloured wing mirrors and newly designed wheels with new, sporty 16-inch alloy wheels as standard.

A new range of seven body colours (Maple Green, Boreal Green, Sail Blue, Cosmos Blue, Metallic Blue, Seagull Blue, Metallic Black) has also been introduced on the 2002-spec Alfa Romeo 156.

The T-Spark five-speed manual, 2.5 V6 24V sedan and Sportwagon models are fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 ZR16 tyres. The Selespeed is fitted with five-hole 16-inch alloys and 205/55 W16 tyres. The wheel design echoes the classic Alfa Romeo cloverleaf with its racing heritage.

New 3-year/60 000 maintenance plan There is a comprehensive maintenance plan on all models in range.

The maintenance plan provides full maintenance for 60 000 km and/or over a three-year period, with regular servicing and carried out at no extra cost, at any approved Alfa Romeo dealership. The scheme also provides for any fault rectification on the vehicle under the normal warranty period, a spokesman for the company said.

In addition, Fiat Auto SA offers owners of the Alfa 156 a 36-month/100 000 km dealer warranty, three years on paintwork and five years on anti-perforation.

The new models are also covered by the ‘Alfa Cares’ policy in conjunction with the AA Fleetcare roadside assistance.