alfa 1990

The Alfa Romeo 155 is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1992 and 1998. Built to replace the 75 and based on the Fiat Group's Tipo platform, the 155 was somewhat larger in dimension than the 75 but keeping faith with the wedge styling. The 155 was designed by Italian design house I.DE.A Institute. The big technical change from the 75 was the change from rear wheel drive to a front-wheel drive layout. This change upset Alfa purists but paved the way for things to come. Also available was the 155 Q4 which had a 2.0 litre turbo engine and a permanent four-wheel drive power train both derived from the Integrale, it was essentially a Lancia Integrale in a business suit. Production ceased in 1998 when the 155 was replaced by the splendid 156 which was a massive leap forwards in terms of quality and refinement and finally moved away from the wedge styling meaning that the 155 was the pinnacle of that particular design stream dating back to 1977 with the Giulietta Nuova. The 155 was never produced as a Station Wagon but Sbarro made a proposal for such a vehicle in 1994.
The 155 was available with 1.7 Twin Spark, 1.8 Twin Spark and 2.0 Twin Spark petrol engines, the latter two with variable valve timing. Two four-cylinder turbo diesel engines, a 1.9 (92 PS) and a 2.5 (125 PS) were available in some markets (but not the United Kingdom, however the Republic of Ireland got this version). At the top of the 155 range were the 2.5 V6, using an engine derived from the 3.0 V6 used in the 164, and the Q4, which used a drivetrain derived from the Lancia Delta Integrale , including a 190 PS 2.0 16V turbocharged engine and permanent four-wheel drive. The Q4 also incorporated three differential gears (normal at the front, epicyclic at the centre (including a Ferguson viscous coupling) and torsen self-locking at the rear). Both the 2.5 V6 and Q4 models were also available with electronically adjustable suspension with two damper settings (automatic and sport). The most notable special edition was the Silverstone edition released in the UK which was known as the Formula in Europe; this was release as an homologation exercise to allow Alfa Romeo to compete in the BTCC with a revised aero-kit. For reasons best known to the Alfa Romeo bosses the car was a lightened 1.8 8 valve Twin Spark model (the touring car being a 2 litre motor) with slightly more power than the standard 1.8, they had either Alfa red or Black paintwork with black unpainted bumpers. The main appealing features of these models was the unique from and rear spoilers, the rear on being fully adjustable.
In 1995 the 155 was given an extensive revamp giving the car wider front and rear track with subtle enlargement to the wheel arches to accommodate the changes underneath. Late Series 1 155's manufactured in 1994 also received the wider track, and may be recognised by their wheels being recessed inside the main bodyline of the vehicle. Other changes included the move to 16 valve belt timed Twin Spark engines from the original 8 valve chain timed units (also the 1.7 was replaced by a 1.6 16 valve Twin Spark) along with revised steering rack and suspension. Series 2 155s can be distinguished from their earlier counterparts by their flared front and rear wheel arches. Some versions in the Republic of Ireland retained the 1.8 8 valve version.
Zagato made two special versions of 155. 1993 was introduced 155 TI.Z and 1995 155 GTAZ. Both models had more muscular looking exterior and more power than regular models, the TI.Z had 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) Twin Spark engine and GTAZ had 155 Q4's turbocharged two litre engine now producing 215 PS (212 hp/158 kW). Both models were built only a limited amount and many of the cars ended to Japan.
The 155 was very successful in touring car racing, using the Supertouring-homologated GTA and the V6 TI for the DTM. Between 1992 and 1994, the 155 managed to take the Italian Superturismo championship, the German DTM championship (both with Nicola Larini at the wheel), the Spanish Touring Car Championship (with Adrián Campos), and the British Touring Car Championship (with Gabriele Tarquini). The 155 remained competitive until it was replaced with the 156, finishing third in the DTM (then known as the International Touring Car Championship, or ITC) in 1996 with Alessandro Nannini and winning the Spanish championship again in 1997 with Fabrizio Giovanardi. The 156 was to continue the high standard set by the 155, winning the European Touring Car Championship multiple times.

The Alfa Romeo GTV and Alfa Romeo Spider are two sports cars produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo since 1995. The GTV is a 2+2 coupé (to avoid insurance premiums), with the Spider being essentially a two-seat cabriolet version of the GTV. The rear seats can be optionally deleted to increase the very tiny boot space.
The pair were launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1995. The GTV's name placed it as the successor to the long-discontinued Alfa Romeo GTV6 coupe, whereas the Spider was effectively the replacement for the then 30-year-old Duetto Spider.
The cars were aimed at the gentleman sports car market with little creature comforts, with air conditioning and a decent stereo. Most 1995-1997 cars have aftermarket radios fitted. Leather was standard on "Lusso" specified models. This was known as "Ti" on Alfasud models etc.
Both cars were designed by Pininfarina. It is a typical Italian design, with the Alfa Romeo grill with the pair of lights on each side recalling the 1750 GTV of the late 1960s and 1970s. It has a wedge shape which is in keeping with traditional Alfa Sports design. The back is "cut-off", creating a sharp, aggressive look. The car is very low slung and entering and exiting the car is very similar to that of a Ferrari: difficult. The design has been rebuked by tall drivers that the windscreen is too low. The Spider shares all of these traits except for the cut-off back.
The Spider featured a folding soft-top with five hoop frame, which completely disappears from sight under a flush fitting cover. An electric folding mechanism is fitted on some versions. As would be expected the GTV has a much more rigid chassis, although considerable work was done to ensure that the Spider does not suffer from the traditional convertible chassis problems.
The Spider & GTV were based on a Fiat Tipo derived platform, in this case a heavily modified version with an all new multilink rear suspension which allowed passive rear steering to help reduce understeer. 1.8 16V and 2.0 16v Twin Spark (150 PS (147.9 hp/110.3 kW)) were available along with a turbocharged 2.0 V6 that produced 202 PS (199.2 hp/148.6 kW) or a 3.0 V6 in either 12 (192 PS (189.4 hp/141.2 kW)) or 24 valves (220 PS (217 hp/161.8 kW)). The 2.0 V6, called V6 TB, was developed because of an Italian law that put an extra tax on cars with engines bigger than 2L. It's basically the same engines as the 3L V6 compressed to two liters. The turbo was added for extra power without paying that tax. 240 PS is easily made a reality. The 3.0 V6 24V was the fastest production Alfa Romeo to date when new. The 3.2 V6 24V GTV 240 PS (236.7 hp/176.5 kW) is now the current fastest Stradale Alfa Romeo to date (introduced on the 2003 - GTVs), capable of 0-60 mph in just over six seconds. Autodelta (UK) has bored out the 3.2 engine to 3.7, with supercar performance on demand (0-60 in less than 4.0 seconds).
The 2.0 16v Twin Spark engine is noted to have the best ratio of fuel economy to performance. The 2003 and last restyle to the GTV also introduced the 2.0 JTS (165 PS (162.7 hp/121.4 kW)) engine. To save in weight the hood of these cars was made from composite material called KMC.
The Spider and GTV were revamped in 1998; the post-revamp models (Phase II) are recognisable by the addition of a chrome rim around the Alfa shield in the bonnet, and colour coded door mirrors, side skirts, and bumbers. Also, the interior was redesigned with the most noticeable difference being that the center console was now silver. A six-speed gearbox was made available as an option for the 3.0 24V. A second, more comprehensive facelift occurred in 2003, with the revamped cars (Phase III) being unveiled at that year's Geneva Motor Show. The most notable difference was the restyling of the front end to include a much deeper 147-style front grille and a frontplate-holder moving from the centre to the right.

The Alfa Romeo 156 (known internally as the type 932) is a compact executive car introduced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as the replacement for the 155. Cars were assembled at Fiat Group factory in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy and General Motors's facility in Rayong, Thailand (production started March 2002 and lasted couple of years, cars were targeted for Asian markets). From 1997 to 2005 the 156 was produced 680,000 examples, which was a huge success for the brand. The 156 was available in saloon and estate bodystyles. Car was designed by Alfa Centro Stile under control of head designer Walter de'Silva. Its distinctive style with its high curved flanks, retro styled front door handles, hidden rear door handles, dramatic deep grille and sweeping profile made it, to some, the best looking car in its class. This is the car that introduced 'hidden' door handle to the mainstream, although these were first utilised on the Fiat Coupe back as far as 1994, the idea of using them on the rear doors was new and had the effect of converting a saloon car into a coupe lookalike. The design was influenced by three historical Alfa Romeo models 1900, Giulietta and Giulia. The 156 achieved a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.31.
The 156 uses platform derived from 155, which platform was derived Fiat Group´s "Tipo" platform. It can be seen as new platform being so different than the original "Tipo" one. The 156 was a highly developed front-wheel drive car (the Cross/Sportwagon Q4 offered four-wheel drive in left-hand drive markets) with a double high wishbone front suspension and all independent multi-link rear suspension, which is made of telescopic vertical strut with coaxial spring and two transverse links with different lengths and a longitudinal strut, with this structure the rear wheels have a small passive steering ability.
At the beginning the engine range encompassed four cylinder Twin Spark (1.6 L 120 PS (118 hp/88 kW), 1.8 L 144 PS (142 hp/106 kW) and 2.0 L 155 PS (153 hp/114 kW)) 16 valve engines with variable valve timing, along with the straight-4 1.9 L 8-valve (105 PS (104 hp/77 kW)) and straight-5 2.4 L 10-valve (136 PS (134 hp/100 kW)) JTD common rail turbodiesel engines. Until January 2002, the range-topping engine was the venerable DOHC 2.5 L 24-valve Alfa Romeo V6 engine rated at 190 PS (187 hp/140 kW).
Initially the 156 range was available with different options (packs) like a sport pack that could include either Blitz clothing , Momo leather interior or Recaro seats, it also included 16" wheels, lowered suspension and leather steering wheel and gear knob. There was also available De-Luxe pack with Momo's mahogany steering wheel and gear knob and for nordic countries special winter pack consisting of fog lights, headlight washers and heated seats.
Starting from 1999 five-speed Selespeed sequential transmission came as an option to 2.0 Twin Spark engine and four-speed automatic Q-System to 2.5 L V6 engine, the Q-system can be used as normal automatic or shift manually with H-pattern, it has three automatic modes: city, sport and ice.
A significant addition to the 156 range was the Sportwagon estate in 2000, a first attempt at an estate car of this size for the company. Sportwagon was also available with Boge-Nivomat self-levelling hydropneumatic rear suspension. The Sportwagon was marketed as lifestyle estate without large carrying capacity.
In 2001 engines were upgraded, engines complied with Euro3 norm and outputed 120 PS (118 hp/88 kW) (1.6 L), 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) (1.8 L), 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW) (2.0 L) and 192 PS (189 hp/141 kW) (2.5 L).
2002 also saw the arrival of a facelifted interior with different matte-finish surfacing and chrome highlights. New version used the 147's dual-zone digital climate control and CanBus serial wiring system, the interior climate could also be controlled via air quality sensor. A wider range of options including xenon lighting, tele-informatics (CONNECT and CONNECT NAV) and a Bose stereo system were available, the stereo system could now also be operated via buttons on the steering wheel. Also the Selespeed gearbox control system was updated, buttons at steering wheel were replaced by paddle shifters, like seen earlier on Alfa Romeo 147. In the center console was added multifunctional display with trip computer, fault and service monitor. Also ESP and slip control ASR came as standard. Passive safety was also made better, all versions got window airbags as standard. The 2.0 L JTS 165 PS (163 hp/121 kW) gasoline direct injection engine replaced the 2.0 L Twin Spark engine, offering more low end torque and more power than the Twin Spark, diesel engines were also uprated. Only notable difference exterior-wise was a body colored mirrors and bumper strips which were earlier black.
Late 2003 saw the launch of a facelifted 156, with new front and rear fascias designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. There was also a wider range of interior colour options from this date. To the top of range was added new TI trim level (Turismo Internazionale) designating a sporty kit, this version was equipped with modified suspension, bigger wheels (215/45 17") and leather-trimmed interior. This mid-life facelift divided opinion with some preferring the prettier pre-facelift look with others singing the praises of the newer more aggressive demeanour of the latter models. The GTA models never received the exterior update. Diesel engines suffered a major re-working, new four valve per cylinder heads were added, second stage common rail injection with 1400 bar maximum injection pressure with up to five injections per cycle for lower noise, consumption and higher performance. They were rated at 140/150 PS (103/110 kW) for straight-4 1.9 L 16-valve and 175 PS (173 hp/129 kW) for straight-5 2.4 L 20-valve.
In 2004, four-wheel drive versions arrived to some markets, which were known as the Crosswagon Q4 and Sportwagon Q4 (both using the 1.9 L 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW) JTD engine). These cars were equipped with a Torsen C four-wheel drive system and raised ride heights (Crosswagon height: 1497 mm (58.9 in), Sportwagon 1458 mm (57.4 in)). The Crosswagon version was made to look more like all-terrain vehicle; door sill aluminium protection, front and rear bumpers were equipped with aluminium inserts. The Sportwagon Q4 was normal looking version with just slighly higher ground clearance than the front wheel drive Sportwagon.
The 156 saloon was discontinued late in 2005 in Europe, Q4 Crosswagon was produced to the end of 2006. The 156 was replaced with 159, which also spawned the Brera, the 2-door coupe that replaces the GTV along with its convertible sister the new Spider.
In September 2001, the 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA were launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The very first GTA was sold on-line auction from September 13 to 23, the duration of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Winning bid was 48,691.26 euros, which was donated to "Telethon" charity fund. Equipped with a 3.2 L V6 with six-speed manual transmission or six-speed Selespeed (paddles in steering wheel, hydraulically operated clutchless manual gearbox), the GTA variants were aimed at the performance market. The GTA variants boasted 250 PS (247 hp/184 kW), had a lowered and stiffened suspension, a distinctive body kit and leather interior. The suspension for specifically made for the GTA by Fiat Research Centre and Fiat Auto Design and Development Department. Steering was also made faster, only 1.7 turns from lock to lock compared to 2.1 in normal models. The GTA had also much bigger brakes (Brembo), at front 305 millimetres (12 in) discs and rear 276 millimetres (10.8 in). The front discs were later updated to 330 millimetres (13 in). The GTA subsequently stopped production in October 2005 citing the upcoming replacement to the 156, the Alfa Romeo 159.
The 156 offered various engines and power levels during it's lifespan, four and six cylinder petrol engines and four and five cylinder diesel engines, all produced at Pratola Serra except the V6 engine , which was produced at Alfa Romeo's Arese plant.
Alfa Romeo 156 GTAm was shown at Bologna Motor Show in December 2002, car was built by Fiat Group's partner N-Technology. The GTA 3.2 L (3179 cc) engine was bored to 3.5 L (3548 cc) and power pushed to 300 PS (296 hp/221 kW). Car had widened wheel arches and 19 inch tyres and it was equipped with N-Technology limited slip differential. This car never reached production phase.
London based aftermarker tuner Autodelta made also two high performance versions based to 156 GTA, in GTA AM version Alfa Romeo V6 engine was bored to 3.8 L (3750 cc), which was capable to push 328 PS (324 hp/241 kW) at 7300 rpm. With this power car can reach top speed of 280 kilometres per hour (175 mph). The other one GTA AM Super was "upgrade" to the first version, now fitted with Rotrex supercharger and pushing out 400 PS (395 hp/294 kW).
In 1998, an international jury of 56 journalists representing 21 countries awarded the Alfa 156 the European Car of the Year award; it was described as having a "very refined suspension layout so to offer an impeccable roadholding". The 2.5 V6 engine was awarded with the International Engine of the Year award in 2000.
The Alfa Romeo 156 was as well vested in motorsport as its predecessor, the 155. It runs in the British Touring Car Championship as well as various European championships, most notably the WTCC and formerly the ETCC where it was especially successful. The 156 sports car program was run by Fiat Group's partner N.Technology S.p.A., originally founded as Nordauto Squadra Corse to compete in Italian Touring Car Championship. In 1994 name was changed to Nordauto Engineering and 2001 to N.Technology.

The Alfa Romeo 166 is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo since 1998.
The 166 was the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 164, and though the 164 had styling that was far from orthodox, the odd-looking 166 with its drooping headlamps and pointed nose still raised many eyebrows. The styling was very much in keeping with Alfa's corporate style of the time, which had begun with the smaller 156 model.
The car was initially available with a 2.0-litre Twin Spark engine (155 PS), a 2.5 V6 (190 PS), a 3.0 V6 (226 PS) unit or a V6 2.0 Turbo (205 PS). Diesel engines were a L5 2.4 10v common rail turbodiesel version with 136, 140 and 150 PS output, praised for its refinement. The TS model used a 5-speed manual gearbox, whilst the 2.5 and 3.0 had the option of a Sportronic automatic. The 3.0 V6, L5 2.4 and V6 Turbo were otherwise supplied with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The top models were named "Super" and included MOMO leather interior, 17" alloy wheels, rain sensitive wipers, cruise control, climate control and ICS (Integrated Control System) with colour screen. Options included xenon headlamps, GSM connectivity and satellite navigation. Suspension systems comprised double wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup for the rear.
Though the car's handling characteristics, engine range and elegant exterior design received praise from many, including Jeremy Clarkson, it did not become a strong seller to rival the dominant German brands in the European executive car sector.
The 166 underwent a substantial revamp in 2003. As well as upgrades to the chassis, interior, and the engine range, the styling was substantially altered. The new front end resembled the also recently revamped 156, and lost its famous drooping headlights. The 2.0 V6 Turbo model was dropped because of marketing problems, the V6 2.5 was re-rated at 188 PS and a 3.2 litre V6 (240 PS) was introduced. Both the new 3.2 litre and the 2.0 Twin Spark models now featured the six-speed manual gearbox, whilst the 3.0 model was retained but made available only in Sportronic form. In the diesel sector, the L5 2.4 was re-engineered with Multi-Jet technology which allows up to 5 injections per cycle, second stage common rail with maximum injection pressure of 1400bar and 4 valves per cylinder to output a class leading 175 PS.
The Alfa Romeo 166 was withdrawn from sale in right-hand drive markets in October 2005. Sales of the 166 never grew as Alfa had hoped following the 2003 facelift, and the additional lack of a diesel engine in the UK, Australian, and Irish markets limited its reach into company car sectors. It was also reported that the engine emissions were unlikely to meet forthcoming regulations, and a revised engine would not have been justified on the low-selling 166.