Alfa Romeo 156: which version to buy

If you are choosing an Alfa Romeo 156, the data split is one generation (October 1997–January 2006) in three catalogue slices: 1 generation (October 1997–March 2002, Estate 5-door, 34 versions), 1 generation, restyling 1 (March 2002–July 2003, Sedan, 19 versions), and 1 generation, restyling 2 (July 2003–January 2006, Sedan, 34 versions).

If you are choosing an Alfa Romeo 156, the data split is one generation (October 1997–January 2006) in three catalogue slices: 1 generation (October 1997–March 2002, Estate 5-door, 34 versions), 1 generation, restyling 1 (March 2002–July 2003, Sedan, 19 versions), and 1 generation, restyling 2 (July 2003–January 2006, Sedan, 34 versions). Every listed car is FWD with a Front, transverse engine and a 63 L tank. Ground clearance is 140 mm on every measured version. The buy decision is engine, gearbox, body, and which restyling carries the spec you want — not a second generation.

People searching for 156 GTA horsepower or 156 V6 specs are looking at the 3.2 MT and 3.2 TCT (250 hp) that appear only in restyling 2. People searching Sportwagon / wagon are looking at the 1 generation Estate 5-door slice. Those two facts already cut the catalogue in half.

Which generation changed what

1 generation (Estate 5-door) is the only slice whose listed body is Estate 5-door. It is also the only slice with 1.8 MT at 144 hp, 2.0 MT / 2.0 TCT at 155 hp, 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT at 190 hp, and 1.9 MT Diesel at 105 hp. Mixed fuel use is measured on several petrols here and missing on others.

1 generation, restyling 1 (Sedan) drops the 144 / 155 / 190 / 105 hp rows and adds 2.4 MT Diesel 150 hp (5 cylinders, Inline, Turbo) plus 2.0 MT Gasoline 165 hp with Direct injection (direct). It is the only slice with measured wheel sizes: 2.0 TCT 150 hp on 185/65 R15 or 205/55 R16; 2.5 MT 192 hp on 205/55 R16 or 205/60 R15; 2.4 MT on 185/65 R15 or 205/60 R15. Wheel size on other versions is not measured.

1 generation, restyling 2 (Sedan) is the only slice with 3.2 MT / 3.2 TCT (3179 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 250 hp, 300 Nm). It also lists four 1.9 MT Diesels (115 / 126 / 136 / 140 hp). It does not list 2.4 MT. Kerbs on 2.0 TCT 165 hp and 3.2 TCT 250 hp are not measured.

Same name, different cars: restyling 1 lists two 1.6 MT 120 hp (0–100 10.5 s at 1265 kg vs 11.0 s at 1315 kg) and two 1.8 MT 140 hp (9.4 s at 1265 kg vs 9.7 s at 1315 kg). Restyling 2 lists two 2.0 TCT (150 hp vs 165 hp). Generation 1 lists two 1.8 MT (140 vs 144 hp), two 2.0 MT (150 vs 155), two 2.0 TCT (150 vs 155), two 2.5 MT (190 vs 192), two 2.5 AT (190 vs 192).

Engine specs: what the extra displacement buys

All petrols use 95 fuel, No boost, 4 valves per cylinder. Diesels use Diesel fuel and Turbo.

Specific output (hp per litre, displacement in litres):

Versionhpcm³hp/LLayout
2.0 TCT / 2.0 MT 165 hp165197083.84 Inline
1.8 MT 144 hp144174782.44 Inline
1.8 MT 140 hp140174780.14 Inline
3.2 MT / 3.2 TCT 250 hp250317978.66 V-shaped
2.0 MT / 2.0 TCT 155 hp155197078.74 Inline
2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 192 hp192249277.06 V-shaped
2.0 MT 150 hp150197076.14 Inline
1.6 MT 120 hp120159875.14 Inline
1.9 MT 140 hp Diesel140191073.34 Inline Turbo
1.9 MT 136 hp136191071.24 Inline Turbo
1.9 MT 126 hp126191066.04 Inline Turbo
2.4 MT 150 hp150238762.85 Inline Turbo
1.9 MT 115 hp115191060.24 Inline Turbo
1.9 MT 105 hp105191055.04 Inline Turbo

The 165 hp 2.0 (Direct injection (direct), compression 11.3, 206 Nm at 3250 rpm) is the densest petrol in the file. The 144 hp 1.8 MT in 1 generation is close (82.4 hp/L) and 55 kg lighter than the 140 hp 1.8 MT in the same slice (1225 kg vs 1280 kg).

Moving from 1.6 MT 120 hp to 1.8 MT 140 hp is +20 hp and +17 Nm at the same 1230 kg kerb in restyling 2: 10.25 kg/hp down to 8.79 kg/hp, 0–100 from 10.5 s to 9.4 s (+8 km/h top speed, 200 to 208).

Moving from restyling 2 1.8 MT 140 hp to 2.0 MT 150 hp is only +10 hp and +18 Nm, kerb +20 kg (1250 kg), 0–100 9.4 s to 8.8 s, top speed 208 to 214. Power density falls (80.1 to 76.1 hp/L). The useful step at 2.0 is the 165 hp 2.0 TCT / 2.0 MT: +25 hp vs the 140 hp 1.8 MT, 206 Nm vs 163 Nm, and in restyling 1 a measured 8.2 s / 220 km/h.

2.5 MT 192 hp vs 2.0 MT 165 hp (restyling 1): +27 hp, +12 Nm, but 1355 kg vs 1285 kg (+70 kg) and mixed use 11.8 vs 8.6 L/100 km. 0–100 7.3 s vs 8.2 s. You buy a sixth cylinder (V-shaped) and a 6-speed Manual, not efficiency.

3.2 MT 250 hp vs 2.5 MT 192 hp (restyling 2): +58 hp, +82 Nm (300 vs 218), kerb 1410 vs 1320 kg (+90 kg). Weight per hp 5.64 vs 6.88 kg/hp. 0–100 6.3 s vs 7.3 s. Top speed 250 vs 230. Mixed use on 3.2 MT is 12.1 L/100 km (city 18.1, highway 8.6); 2.5 MT mixed in restyling 2 is not measured (in restyling 1 it is 11.8). 3.2 TCT shares 250 hp / 300 Nm / 250 km/h but uses a 5-speed Robotic instead of 6-speed Manual; 0–100 and kerb are not measured.

Diesel torque is the other buy. 1.9 MT 115 hp: 275 Nm at 2000 rpm vs 1.8 MT 140 hp gasoline 163 Nm at 3900 rpm — +112 Nm at half the rpm. 1.9 MT 140 hp: 305 Nm at 2000 rpm, matching 2.4 MT 150 hp (305 Nm at 1800 rpm) with 477 cm³ less.

Valves: 1.9 MT 105 hp and 115 hp and 2.4 MT 150 hp have 2 valves per cylinder; 1.9 MT 126 / 136 / 140 hp have 4. Injection on those diesels is not measured.

Performance: 0–100, top speed, mpg

Measured 0–100, fastest to slowest among listed figures:

Not measured 0–100: restyling 2 2.0 TCT 150 hp, 2.0 TCT 165 hp, 3.2 TCT 250 hp, 1.9 MT 126 hp, 1.9 MT 136 hp; 1 generation 2.0 TCT 150 hp, 2.0 TCT 155 hp, 2.5 AT 190 hp. Top speed not measured: restyling 2 2.0 TCT 150 hp, 1.9 MT 126 and 136 hp; 1 generation 2.0 TCT 150 hp, 2.5 AT 190 hp. Restyling 2 2.0 TCT 165 hp top speed is 220 km/h with 0–100 not measured. Restyling 2 3.2 TCT top speed 250 km/h with 0–100 not measured.

Mixed L/100 km (the mpg question):

Petrol, lowest mixed measured: 1.6 MT restyling 1 8.2 (lighter) or 8.3 (heavier); 1.8 MT 144 hp 1 generation 8.2. 1.8 MT 140 hp restyling 1: 8.5 or 8.6. 2.0 165 hp restyling 1: 8.6. 2.0 TCT 150 hp restyling 1: 8.7. 2.5 MT 190 hp 1 generation: 11.4; 2.5 MT 192 hp restyling 1: 11.8; 2.5 AT 192 hp restyling 1: 11.9; 3.2 MT restyling 2: 12.1.

Diesel mixed: 1.9 MT 105 / 115 hp 5.8; 1.9 MT 140 hp 5.9; 2.4 MT 6.6. City 7.8–8.8 vs petrol city 11.4–18.1. Highway diesels 4.7 (1.9 MT) or 5.3 (2.4 MT) vs petrol highway 6.4–8.6.

Not measured mixed (and city/highway): most restyling 2 petrols except 3.2 MT; restyling 2 1.9 MT 126 and 136 hp; 1 generation 1.6 MT, 1.8 MT 140 hp, 2.0 MT 150 hp, both 2.0 TCT, 2.5 AT 190 hp, 2.5 AT 192 hp. CO2 and eco class: not measured on every version.

Gearbox cost in the numbers: restyling 1 2.5 AT 192 hp vs 2.5 MT 192 hp — same 218 Nm, Automatic 4 vs Manual 6, +50 kg (1405 vs 1355), +1.2 s to 100, −3 km/h (227 vs 230), mixed 11.9 vs 11.8. Restyling 1 2.0 TCT 165 hp Robotic 5 vs 2.0 MT 165 hp Manual 5: identical 8.2 s, 220 km/h, 8.6 mixed, 1285 kg — the Robotic does not lose the measured sprint on that pair. Restyling 2 2.0 TCT 150 hp kerb 1225 kg is 25 kg below 2.0 MT 150 hp (1250 kg); 0–100 on the TCT is not measured.

Weight, dimensions, wheels

Kerb range in the file: 1225 kg (2.0 TCT 150 hp restyling 2 and 1 generation; 1.8 MT 144 hp; 1.9 MT 126 / 136 hp restyling 2) to 1410 kg (3.2 MT) and 1405 kg (2.5 AT restyling 1). Gross: 1750–1905 kg. Tank 63 L. Clearance 140 mm. Length, width, height, wheelbase, and weight distribution are not measured.

Kg per hp (kerb / hp), selected:

Estate 5-door vs Sedan at the same 1.6 MT 120 hp: 1 generation Estate 1280 kg / 11.0 s; restyling 2 Sedan 1230 kg / 10.5 s (−50 kg). Same 1.8 MT 140 hp: Estate 1280 kg / 9.7 s vs restyling 2 Sedan 1230 kg / 9.4 s.

Rear brakes: most versions Disc; 2.0 TCT 165 hp and 2.0 MT 165 hp use Disc ventilated at the rear. Front is Ventilated disc on all listed cars. Suspension: Independent, spring, both ends.

Which version to choose

Daily miles, lowest measured fuel: 1.9 MT 115 hp (mixed 5.8, 275 Nm, 10.3 s, 191 km/h) in restyling 1 or 2. If you want the same 1.9 litre with 4 valves and a useful sprint, 1.9 MT 140 hp (305 Nm, 9.3 s, 209 km/h, mixed 5.9). Restyling 2’s 140 hp car is the only 1.9 with a 6-speed Manual; restyling 1’s 140 hp 1.9 MT is 5-speed and 5 kg heavier (1310 vs 1305 kg). Skip 1.9 MT 126 hp and 136 hp if you need measured 0–100, top speed, or mpg — all three are not measured. 2.4 MT 150 hp (restyling 1 only) is +10 hp vs the 140 hp 1.9 but +80 kg vs restyling 2’s 140 hp 1.9, mixed 6.6 vs 5.9, and 2 valves per cylinder.

Cheapest petrol that still moves: restyling 2 1.6 MT 120 hp (1230 kg, 10.5 s, 200 km/h). Restyling 1 has a 50 kg heavier 1.6 MT at 11.0 s and mixed 8.3 vs the lighter restyling 1 1.6 MT at 8.2 mixed / 10.5 s — pick the 1265 kg row, not the 1315 kg row, if both appear.

Best petrol four without jumping to V-shaped 6: restyling 1 2.0 MT 165 hp or 2.0 TCT 165 hp (Direct injection (direct), 83.8 hp/L, 8.2 s, 220 km/h, mixed 8.6, 1285 kg). Restyling 2 2.0 TCT 165 hp keeps 220 km/h and 206 Nm but kerb, 0–100, and mpg are not measured. The 150 hp 2.0 MT is the fallback when you want a Manual and measured 8.8 s in restyling 2.

V-shaped 6 without the 3.2: 2.5 MT 192 hp. Restyling 2: 7.3 s, 1320 kg, mpg not measured. Restyling 1: 7.3 s, 1355 kg, mixed 11.8, wheels measured. 2.5 AT 192 hp only if you require Automatic — you give up 1.2 s and 3 km/h. 1 generation 2.5 MT 190 hp is the lightest V-shaped 6 with a sprint (1295 kg, 7.4 s, mixed 11.4).

The 250 hp car people mean by GTA specs: restyling 2 3.2 MT (6-speed Manual, 6.3 s, 250 km/h, 1410 kg, mixed 12.1). 3.2 TCT is the 5-speed Robotic twin: same 250 hp / 300 Nm / 250 km/h, 0–100 and kerb not measured. Neither exists in 1 generation or restyling 1.

Estate 5-door / Sportwagon body: only 1 generation. Strong petrol pick in that body: 1.8 MT 144 hp (1225 kg, 9.3 s, mixed 8.2) or 2.0 MT 155 hp (1245 kg, 8.8 s, mixed 8.5). Diesel in that slice is only 1.9 MT 105 hp (10.9 s, 188 km/h, mixed 5.8). There is no 3.2 and no 165 hp 2.0 in the Estate 5-door table shown.

Reliability / problems: not measured in this file. Choose on the arithmetic above, not on a fault list we do not have.

Short map: economy → 1.9 MT 115 or 140 hp; light petrol → restyling 2 1.6 MT or 1.8 MT 140 hp; 2.0 specs → restyling 1 2.0 MT 165 hp; V6 horsepower without 3.2 → 2.5 MT 192 hp Manual; GTA-class → restyling 2 3.2 MT; wagon → 1 generation Estate 5-door 1.8 MT 144 hp or 2.0 MT 155 hp.