Alfa Romeo 156/156 GTA

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Deo izgubljene teme :x ,dakle zanimljiva prica jednog Alfiste:
A month ago I was stopped by the police in Belgium. An officer came to my window
and explained it was a routine check for wearing safetybelts. Everything was okay,
but a second policeman came to my car. He asked me if my 156 was a GTA (I have no
badges on the back). Yes! Was my answer. In that case he wanted my carpapers, to be
convinced. Nice car he said to me. Everything okay you can go. The first policeman
asked his partner: “What is a GTA?” That my friend is a car with 250 bhp! I looked
up and told him my car has 275 bhp. He looked to me and said: “Okay Sun, step on it
then, let me hear the sound of your V6!” I was afraid I didn’t understand him well,
so he said to me: “I mean it, let it roarrr like a lion!”. So of course I did!
His partners (app. 12 other policemen) looked very strange when I drove away.

[Sasha]

Evo jos jedne(1999 2.4 JTD SP2 modded):
Most of my good story are form upsetting other petrol owners but one comes to
mind …….one time I over took a modded Integra type R at 145mph in a controlled
environment lol the owner was left in tears I do mean tears to the point were
he was punching his steering wheel, not only was it a Alfa but a diesel one that
did it to him.

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There's an old story that every time Henry Ford saw an Alfa Romeo drive past, he doffed his hat. Today his grandson is head of the Ford dynasty - and we wonder if he, too, will profer a salute whenever he sees the Alfa 156 GTA...

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He certainly SHOULD, for he can learn a lot about street cred from Alfa's hottest four-door Italian stallion.

With a power output of 184 kW at 6 200 r/min, and maximum torque of 300 Nm achieved at 4 800 r/min, the 3.2-litre V6 produces more power than the BMW 330i or the Audi A4 3.0.

Yet its 0-100 km/h acceleration figure, at sea level, of just under 7 seconds is not much quicker than the BMW's, and way off Alfa's claimed figure of 6.3 seconds.

So what is so special about the Alfa GTA?

It's the overall package. When you approach the GTA, you can't help feeling a stomach wrenching excitement.

It's low-slung, and sexy, with huge wheels with that famous Alfa five-hole design that fill the wheel arches, and a racy front apron with cutouts to improve the air flow.

It's also the vents behind the front wheel arches to let out air heated to steaming point by the brakes, and the brakes themselves, big and red and Brembo, vying with the wheels for your attention.

Hardly noticeable from the side, the deep rear spoiler becomes more evident from the rear. The bumper incorporates a large diffuser that extracts air from under the GTA, improving underbody aerodynamics. The double chrome tail pipes are GTA specific.

Pricing

And then to the pricing. It might not be the quickest thing around (but not by a big margin), although top speed would exceed 250 km/h were it not for the electronic speed limiter.

But this 3.2-litre V6, with quad cams and a delicious engine sound, comes in at a price which equates to most performance rand-for-rand from a four-door sedan .

Although it's based on the 156 chassis/body package, a lot has been done to make the GTA special.

This includes completely revised suspension geometry and settings, a much more powerful braking system, more direct steering, a new 6-speed gearbox and larger diameter alloy wheels.

And the modifications don't stop at the outside, for the interior has got the full treatment too.

The most obvious difference of the GTA over the rest of the 156 range is the seats.

Covered in leather, they are one-piece designs incorporating a headrest, and are reminiscent of so many Italian sports cars of the past, with a horizontal ridged design. Both front seats are heated and have electrically adjustable backrests as well as manually adjustable thigh support.

Look closer and you'll notice the aluminium pedals and gear lever, the metalluro inserts on the three-spoke steering wheel, and the special instruments. There is also the addition of an oil temperature trend screen on the multi-function display.

Further standard equipment includes bi-zone climate control, a Bose sound system with six speakers, rain sensor and Isofix child seat fastening.

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Options

Optional equipment includes Xenon headlights, sunroof and CD changer. All these were fitted on our test car.

Naturally you get electrically operated windows and mirrors, and remote central locking with the commensurate anti-theft system.

Most importantly, perhaps, for those who might want the looks but are circumspect about the power, is that the car comes with a full safety package.

Braking performance has been improved for the GTA, with ventilated 305 mm diameter front discs with double-acting Brembo calipers, and 276 mm rear discs, the set-up complete with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

In addition to the driver and passenger front airbags, the GTA also incorporates two seat-mounted side airbags and two window bags.

The steering response of the 156 GTA is even quicker than that of the 156. The standard car's already direct ratio of 13.7:1 has been reduced to 11.3:1, reducing the number of turns lock to lock to 1.75.

And the ultimate aid to keep it on the road is ASR traction control and anti-skid control, which cuts back on engine power and applies the appropriate brakes when wheels start to spin.

On the road

We first drove the car in Gauteng, at the new Wesbank Raceway (formerly Gosforth Park) and we were impressed by the car's grippy road holding and secure high-speed handling, albeit with reservations about its understeer in tighter corners.

Out on the road in the Western Cape we were even more impressed, especially on those long fast corners that seem to go on and on forever.

However, come parking time, well, the GTA simply let us down. It's extremely hard to sweep into an ordinary parking bay on one lock, thanks to the very large turning circle necessitated by the wide tyres and transverse motor.

Two goes at a parking bay are not just annoying - they can be dangerous if the person behind doesn't understand what you're doing. We found the best bet was to reverse in.

And when you have to leave the parking - well, don't be surprised if that extremely low front spoiler touches the ground. It does it often, and without any provocation.

Yet for all that, most of the time the GTA is a joy to drive. The engine, with lots of way-down torque, pulls steadily right from the bottom of the rev range. And this makes the GTA one of those cars that is as easy to drive in traffic as it is on the open road.

What's more it's allied to a 6-speed gearbox that is slick and smooth, with ratios that nicely complement the power curve.

The cars come with a 36-month/60 000 km Maintenance Plan, as well as a 36-month/100 000 km dealer warranty, three years on paintwork and five years on anti-perforation.

There's also AA Fleetcare roadside assistance for 12 months.

Summary

Some cars are good for a while, then lose their appeal as tastes change, making you think "whatever did I like about that".

However, I don't think the GTA is one of them.

Instead, it has the right stuff to make it a modern day classic, one of those cars you still aspire to long after the base model has been changed and altered.

Yes, it has a few flaws, but you can live with them. And I think, as it gets looser, the car will just get faster and faster, and maybe closer to the magic 6 seconds mark for the zero to 100 km/h sprint.

Which puts it in quite select company!

[Sasha]

Introducing the 156

The demand for the new Alfa Romeo 156, had been so great that Alfa Romeo was forced to release prices and the specification to customers prior to is official launch.
"Although we have guaranteed stocks of the new Alfa Romeo 156 for many countries, we have been spurred on by the reports of up to a six month waiting list in Europe," says Alfa Romeo. "They want to order their new Alfa Romeo 156 now, even if it means waiting for delivery. And this is before we have publicly displayed the Alfa 156. So we decided to announce the prices early to enable our customers to make an informed purchasing decision."

The new Alfa Romeo 156 is a return to the great tradition of sports sedans produced by one of the world's most famous car makers. At the same time it is a thoroughly modern car that uses modern technology throughout.

This can be seen in its styling, where modern production techniques have allowed a new interpretation of the unique Alfa Romeo styling, through to its engineering, where the 156 sounds and performs as would be expected, yet offers modern fuel economy, a high level of safety, reliability and low emissions levels.

"There really is no other car quite like an Alfa Romeo 156," says Newton Head an Alfa Romeo manager "Its combination of modern and classic styling inside and out, its range of engines designed for performance and the use of modern technology to provide a unique level of driving involvement.

"In a time of cold, clinical cars, the Alfa Romeo 156 reveals a rare passion, revels in its performance and delights the eye, the mind, the heart and the spirit."

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Design and interior

At 4.43 metres long, 1.74 wide and 1.41 high, with a 2,595 mm wheelbase, the Alfa 156 takes a bold stance on the road, clearly designed with the ability to transmit all its engine power to the wheels. This car's exciting styling is highlighted by a number of distinguishing features, unique aesthetic details that proclaim its powerful personality and make it instantly recognisable.
The characteristic Alfa grille, for example, is a powerful presence, the core from which the entire car seems to expand, leading first to the two classic Alfa 'whiskers' and four small air vents, then to the single panes of glass covering the lighting clusters with their four recessed circular headlights, and then upwards to the big V of the bonnet.

From these elements the Alfa 156 is takes shape. The broad 'shoulders' and wings complete the front section, the wheels are flush with the body and the generous radiator grille is carved into the bumper, with its foglights and air intake, so that has become almost an integral part of the bodywork.

The Alfa 156 is equally distinctive in side view. Key features include the housing of the rear door handle in the quarter light frame and a line that bulges over the wheels but flattens at the centre to create a clean surface where the front door handle can take centre stage as the visual link between the line of the two wheel arches. Glazing has been used with deliberate restraint so that the high, protective sides can make their powerful statement to complete the picture.

The tail end is equally attractive and distinctive: compact, tapered with a slight downward slope. The rear window is teardrop-shaped; the small lighting clusters are recessed into the body and the Alfa logo is set high up on the distinctively shaped boot lid.


As befits a saloon with a distinctly sporty character, the interior is built around the driver's seat. Facing the driver is the classic sports car array of two round instrument dials: speedometer and rev counter. The gear lever is positioned high, close to the steering wheel, to be in easy reach. At the centre of the wrapround facia a console holds three smaller dials, also circular and orientated towards the driver; the standard radio CD unit, the air conditioning and climate control commands and ashtray are positioned lower down.


The Alfa 156 cabin has been designed with careful attention to ergonomics, acoustics and climate control. The steering wheel is adjustable for rake and reach and the driver's seat boasts a 40 mm height adjustment. Meanwhile the seat back is equipped with self-adaptive position adjustment.

Acoustic comfort has been maximised by combating engine noise at source and minimising wind noise. The ventilation is particularly efficient, fine-tuned to create a climate rather than a fan effect.

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The engine choice: Twin spark or 24 valve V6

The new Alfa Romeo model blends a forcefully expressive style with performance and driving pleasure to create a car that is lovely to look at, delightful to drive, yet safe and reliable in all situations.

Big-hearted engines power the Alfa 156, all offering some of the best specific power outputs in their respective classes. One of the petrol engines is a Twin Spark and it belongs to the recent family of modular engines produced in the Pratola Serra plant.

The 2.0 Twin Spark is equipped with electrohydraulic variable valve timing, variable geometry intake manifolds to guarantee optimal power output (90% of its maximum power is already available at around 3000 rpm and two counter-rotating balancer shafts in order to achieve the silent running and lack of vibration normally associated with a six cylinder engine.

Top of the range is the 2.5 litre six cylinder 24-valve unit, Alfa Romeo's first petrol engine to adopt electronic throttle control. This ensures that full power can be delivered without hesitation at all speeds. This engine is mated to an all-new four speed Sportronic automatic transmission.

With the 2.0 litre Twin Spark engine, the Alfa 156 has a top speed of 216 kmh and it covers the dash from zero to 100 kmh in just 8.6 seconds. With the V6 power unit, the 156 can top 230 kmh and accelerates to 100 kmh in just 7.3 seconds.

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Suspension, chassis and engineering

An extraordinary car for roadholding, handling and driveability, the Alfa 156 owes its excellent road manners to its advanced suspension layout. The double wishbone arrangement at the front combines the superlative stability of front wheel drive with exceptionally precise steering. This configuration maximises tyre contact with the road surface, independent of any bodyshell or suspension movement, for optimum grip on bends, in acceleration and braking.

The independent rear suspension is an updated version of the MacPherson strut layout with a wheel mechanism that adapts harmoniously to front suspension behaviour to ensure stability at high speed, and agility and prompt responses on mixed routes. It also incorporates an innovative high-tech aluminium cross-member.

The flexible setting and damping of the Alfa 156 suspension allows the car to make an excellent job of absorbing bumps in the road. These results are due in part to its exceptional torsional rigidity of 110,000 kgm/rad, worthy of a true sports car.

The braking system is servo-assisted hydraulic on all versions, complete with active sensor ABS and an EBD electronic braking distributor. The front ventilated discs measure 284 mm, those at the rear 251 mm. It all makes for optimum efficiency. Indeed the Alfa 156 will brake to a stop in 39 metres from 100 km/h.

The steering is ultra-precise at high speeds for a really sporty feel but also light enough at low speeds to make for easy parking and effortless manoeuvring around town. This was made possible by a very direct ratio: just a little more than two turns of the wheel for complete lock. The power steering system is particularly efficient, and specific measures were taken to ensure that vibration transmitted to the steering is almost nil.

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Performance is nothing without safety: The Alfa 156 excels

As the most advanced expression of Alfa Romeo's new sports car philosophy, the Alfa 156 is thus a genuinely gutsy performer that is always easily managed and offers the utmost in driving pleasure.

This is also a very safe car.

A noiseless, comfortable cabin, superior climate control and optimised siting of all the controls enhance preventive safety. Active safety is derived from precision steering, exceptional roadholding and a braking system that incorporates ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Distributor). Passive safety is the combined affect of several elements: crumple zone front structure, collapsible longitudinals and steering column on one hand, combined with a very rigid passenger compartment on the other. Plus of course, impact beams in the doors and Alfa's FPS (Fire Prevention System).

Twin front airbags are standard on all versions and the front passenger airbag is equipped with a sensor that deactivates the system if the seat is unoccupied. The system can also be deactivated to fit an infant seat. Even the seat-belts with their pretensioners are doubly anchored to the seat, to provide the correct amount of tension no matter what size or shape the occupant is. Thanks to these systems, the Alfa 156 easily passed all the safety tests imposed by the latest EU regulations.

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Quality and reliability

Quality means guaranteed reliability and quality is what the Alfa 156 was designed for with the aid of the latest defect analysis and prevention techniques (FMEA - Failure Mode and Effect Analysis). Prototypes were fatigue and durability tested over 6,000,000 kilometres at all latitudes and in the most extreme climate conditions.

Suppliers are required to guarantee the quality of components employed in production. The quality of every assembly operation is certified either by the person who performs the operation (by a personal stamp), or by a machine that prints a certificate of conformity. The results of all checks are noted on the test form that accompanies each car as it progresses along the line.

In addition to approval of individual operations, overall conformity of the finished product is certified at the end of the line in each operating unit (Pressing, Panelling, Painting and Assembly).

The dynamic reliability of each Alfa 156 produced is tested on the track by Pomigliano test drivers, and some cars undergo even more severe testing, lasting up to 180 kilometres on out-of-town roads and motorways. But that is not all.

From objective quality to perceived quality. Before leaving the plant, the Alfa 156 undergoes two more types of verification, to simulate the impression that the car has upon the customer who sees or drives it for the first time. The first is an aesthetic and functional check similar to that performed by a possible purchaser in a showroom: door closing, glove box opening, and the look of the paintwork. The second is a road test performed by employees who put themselves in the shoes of a customer undertaking a test drive.

The car is built on systems employing the world's most advanced quality monitoring systems by trained workers (a minimum of 80 to a maximum of 320 hours training for every assembly line employee).