156 GTA
The 156 GTA and 156 Sportwagon GTA were launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2001. The GTA was named after the Alfa Romeo GTA from the 1960s, the letters GTA meaning Gran Turismo Alleggerita. Developed alongside the 147 GTA,[21] it was an exclusive high-performance model hand assembled on a dedicated production line separate to the standard 156 models.
Development of the GTA styling models and engineering design was entrusted in early 2000 to Stola with styling data provided by Centro Stile. Stola completed six prototypes that were further mechanically assembled by Alfa Romeo. Two of those protypes were presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show.[22]
2,973 berlinas and 1,678 Sportwagons were built until the GTA production stopped in October 2005, as the V6 engine as unable to meet emissions regulations and due to the 156 being replaced by the 159.[21][23] The GTA was sold in limited numbers, with right-hand drive vehicles holding a premium over left-hand drive vehicles due to their rarity.
The very first GTA was sold via online auction, from 13 to 23 September, the duration of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Winning bid was €48,691.26, which was donated to "Telethon" charity fund.[24]
The 3.2-litre Bussone V6 engine (The big Busso, so-called after legendary Alfa Romeo engineer Giuseppe Busso). This engine is praised universally for its sound and revving capabilities.[25] This was the largest iteration of the engine built by Alfa Romeo. The engine has a 93 mm bore and a 78 mm stroke, displacing at 3179 cc. It was rated at 250 PS and 300 Nm of torque. Overall, the car weighed 55 kg more than the standard V6 156.[26]
The GTA variants shared a common interior with post-facelift 156 variants. The doors, boot lid and bonnet were also shared. All else was unique to the GTA, with the engine specifically made by Fiat and Maserati Research Centres.[19]
The GTA did not receive the Giugiaro designed facelift introduced on the 156 in 2003, but continued with the acclaimed Walter de Silva design to the very end of production.
The steering was also made faster, only 1.7 turns from lock to lock compared to 2.1 in normal models. The GTA had also larger brakes (Brembo), at front 305 mm discs and rear 276 mm. The front discs were later upgraded to 330 mm to cope with the performance potential.
156 Sportwagon Q4
In 2004 Sportwagon Q4, an all-wheel drive version of the Sportwagon was launched in some markets. The Q4 (short for Quadrifoglio 4) system used three differentials, the central one being of the Torsen C limited slip type; it added about 150 kg to the vehicle weight. Graziano Trasmissioni, the Turin-based transmission specialist, developed this system.[27] A raised ride height meant the Sportwagon Q4's was 1458 mm tall. Other than the ride height, special 5-spoke 17-inch wheels and a "Q4" badge on the tail set the Sportwagon Q4 apart from the front-wheel drive 156 versions. The Sportwagon Q4 was only available on LHD markets, with no RHD models being built or sold. The only available engine was the 1.9 M-Jet diesel with 150 PS.
156 Crosswagon Q4
The Crosswagon Q4 was launched in 2004 with a crossover look and enhanced off-road capabilities. The Crosswagon's ride height was raised further compared to the Sportwagon Q4, giving the car better approach and departure angles; at 1497 mm[28] it was 6.5 cm taller than a standard 156. Tall-sidewall all-season tyres on 17 inch wheels were standard. The only available engine was 1.9 M-Jet diesel rated at 150 PS. The Crosswagon was made to look more like an all-terrain vehicle by unique front and rear bumpers and door sills with steel inserts. After the introduction of the 159 in 2005 the Crosswagon remained in production, and in 2007 it was the last 156 model to be discontinued.
Special versions
Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm
The Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm was shown at the Bologna Motor Show in December 2002. The car was built by Fiat Group's partner N.Technology. The GTA 3179 cc engine was bored to 3548 cc and power was increased to 300 PS.[29] The car had widened wheel arches, 19 inch tyres and was equipped with N.Technology limited slip differential. This car never reached production phase.
Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon GTA 3.5 Autodelta
At the 2004 Geneva Motor Show Italian-based tuning firm Autodelta unveiled a 156 Sportwagon prototype equipped with a 3548 cc V6 engine that developed 300 PS at 6,800 rpm.[30] The car was fitted with Bilstein adjustable shock absorbers, Eibach springs and Brembo front brakes with a diameter of 330 mm. Weight was reduced using a composite engine bonnet.[31]
Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm
The Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm was shown at the Bologna Motor Show in December 2002. The car was built by Fiat Group's partner N.Technology. The GTA 3179 cc engine was bored to 3548 cc and power was increased to 300 PS.[29] The car had widened wheel arches, 19 inch tyres and was equipped with N.Technology limited slip differential. This car never reached production phase.
Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon GTA 3.5 Autodelta
At the 2004 Geneva Motor Show Italian-based tuning firm Autodelta unveiled a 156 Sportwagon prototype equipped with a 3548 cc V6 engine that developed 300 PS at 6,800 rpm.[30] The car was fitted with Bilstein adjustable shock absorbers, Eibach springs and Brembo front brakes with a diameter of 330 mm. Weight was reduced using a composite engine bonnet.[31]
Autodelta 156 GTA 3.7 V6
London-based tuning firm Autodelta made two high performance versions based on the 156 GTA: in the GTA AM version, the Alfa Romeo V6 engine was bored to 3750 cc, making it capable of 328 PS at 7,300 rpm. With this, the car could attain a top speed of 282 km/h and accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.2 s.[32]
The GTA AM Super was an upgrade of the first version, now fitted with a Rotrex supercharger and rated at 400 PS.[33]
