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Alfa 156 JTS

Oh yes it is - oh no it isn't! It may be February, but it's still pantomime season at Alfa Romeo. Why? Because this is the new Alfa 156, refreshed and revamped for its final three years in production. But surely this is the same good-looking car that stunned the executive market in 1998? In a word, yes. Don't bother looking for any bodywork changes, because there aren't any. Put a 1998 model next to this one and you won't be able to distinguish between them.

March 2002

Oh yes it is - oh no it isn't! It may be February, but it's still pantomime season at Alfa Romeo. Why? Because this is the new Alfa 156, refreshed and revamped for its final three years in production. But surely this is the same good-looking car that stunned the executive market in 1998? In a word, yes. Don't bother looking for any bodywork changes, because there aren't any. Put a 1998 model next to this one and you won't be able to distinguish between them.

But lift the bonnet and you'll notice a subtle but significant difference. Gone is the much-loved 2.0-litre Twin Spark engine, replaced by an all-new direct-injection petrol unit of the same capacity, the JTS. Although the 1.6 and 1.8 Twin Spark engines live on, the JTS is the new backbone of Alfa's engine line-up and develops 165bhp at 3,250rpm. But it's not a friend of the environment, pumping out 206g/km of CO2, much more than the 175g/km produced by its main challenger, the BMW 318i.

While performance is generally better, with a marked improvement in low-down pulling power and a decent spread of torque throughout the rev range, the soundtrack isn't as engaging as the old Twin Spark's.

As with the exterior, the chassis has been left well alone, although Alfa's VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) system, is fitted as standard for the first time.

The interior has also undergone a revamp. In order to incorporate Alfa's optional CONNECT telematics system, which gives access to information and entertainment services, the facia has been reworked. The air vents have moved to a binnacle at the top of the main rail. Good news for telematics fans, but not if you like fresh air, as the vents are too small and too far away.

Ultimately, the revised 156 is as good as the previous model. The new engine is as lively as the Twin Spark unit, and the driving experience is as involving as ever. If Alfa keeps its promise of pegging the price rise to around one per cent, then we expect the 156 to remain the enthusiast's choice in the junior executive market.

The JTS engine isn't the advance company car drivers will have hoped for. A high CO2 figure means you'll need to be a real enthusiast to justify buying it rather than 'cleaner' rivals.

At a glance

* New Alfa 156 goes on sale in the UK this summer

* Prices set to increase by an average of one per cent

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