The Alfa Romeo 156
The Alfa Romeo 156 is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo. It was first introduced in 1997 as a replacement for the Alfa Romeo 155 and remained in production until 2007. The Alfa Romeo 156 was designed to offer a blend of sporty performance, stylish design, and Italian craftsmanship, making it a popular choice among automotive enthusiasts and those seeking a premium compact sedan. The Alfa Romeo 156 was well-regarded during its production lifespan, earning critical acclaim and several awards. It remained a popular choice among enthusiasts and Alfa Romeo enthusiasts even after it was replaced by the Alfa Romeo 159 in 2005. The 156’s legacy continues to influence modern Alfa Romeo models, carrying on the brand’s reputation for style and performance.
Alfa Romeo 156 Overview
The Alfa Romeo 156 was introduced in 1997 as a replacement to the Alfa Romeo 155. It has become one of the brand’s most successful models, with a total production of around 680,000 cars. It also was a turnaround for the brand, as for years Alfa had been making cars that were too similar to their Fiat counterparts, but the 156 showed a distinctive design and character. It was voted European Car of the Year in 1998.
The 156 was available as a 4-door sedan and 5-door “Sportwagon” station wagon, the latter was available with optional four-wheel drive and as a “Crosswagon” station wagon with elevated ground clearance. Alfa developed a GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerita) version in 2002 to compete in the European Touring Car Championship. The name was inspired by the Giulia Sprint GTA, which achieved many successes on racing tracks in the 1960’s and 70’s. The famous (Busso) V6 was increased from 3 liters to 3.2 liters, delivering 250 horsepower (184 kW) and 300 Nm of torque. The GTA was equipped with a tailor-made suspension, new gearboxes and Brembo disc brakes.
Alfa Romeo 156 Sales Data & Trends
Sales of the Alfa 156 peaked in 1998 at 98,201 cars and slowly decreased every year since. The model received a minor update 2002 and another one in late 2003, when the exterior design was updated to a more aggressive look, inspired by the 2002 Brera concept car. The sedan was replaced in 2005 by the Alfa Romeo 159, while the 156 Q4 Crosswagon was produced until 2007. Unfortunately, the 159 was unable to repeat the success of its predecessor, despite its -again- great Alfa Romeo design with an aggressive front.
Alfa Romeo 156 Europe Sales Data & Charts
Annual Sales
Annual sales figures for the Alfa Romeo 156 in Europe.
Annual Growth
Car sales statistics are from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Sources: Manufacturers, ANDC, JATO Dynamics.
