Alfa Romeo 156 History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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Introduced at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as a replacement for the 155, the 156 (Type 932) was styled by Walter de'Silva and immediately praised for its elegant, driver-focused design. The car's distinctive door handles — concealed in the body at the base of the rear side windows — became a signature Alfa styling detail.
The 156 won the 1998 European Car of the Year award and sold over 673,000 units between 1997 and 2007. A Sportwagon estate variant joined the range, and the 156 GTA used a 3.2-litre V6 for performance credibility. The saloon was discontinued in late 2005, with the Sportwagon Q4 continuing to 2007.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Station wagon (Sportwagon)
Notable special editions & performance variants
156 GTA
Performance variant with a 3.2-litre V6 producing around 250 hp — the GTA badge revived for the first time since the 1960s on a road car.
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