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08 Mar 1999
69th GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: ALFA 156
More than 140 thousand cars sold in Europe and 200 thousand throughout the world: these are the results achieved by the Alfa 156 to the end of 1998.
Alfa Romeo's sporty saloon always had ambitious aims and it has been able not merely to achieve those aims but exceed them beyond all expectations. This success is borne out by the fact the car has been awarded an impressive total of 33 prizes by the Motoring press. Above all, however, it is borne out by the opinions of drivers throughout the world. The new model has been a hit everywhere, even in the most sophisticated European markets. In the Alfa 156's segment, the Brand's share has increased in just one year from 0.5 to 1.9 per cent in France; from 0.3 to 1.5 per cent in Spain; from 0.2 to 1.5 per cent in Germany, from 0.2 to 0.8 per cent in Great Britain.
All in all, the Alfa 156 has been able to live up to its promises. Now again it offers its public the very best technology: the range has been extended to include two new versions, the 2.0 Selespeed and the 2.5 V6 24V Q-System.
Alfa 156 2.0 Selespeed
The first car in the world to be fitted with the revolutionary JTD engines is now the first large-scale medium-sized car to offer a sequential robotised gearbox - the 2.0 Selespeed - with steering wheel controls. The gearbox technology is derived directly from the Ferrari 355 F1 system, which - like the Alfa system - is also produced by Magneti Marelli.
The Selespeed can be operated by two buttons on the steering wheel or a lever on the tunnel between the seats. It will give Alfa 156 customers the chance to experience a new type of driving: sporty, convenient and safe in all situations.
Sporty, because it allows fast, slick gear changes for superior performance. The driving techniques used on current Formula 1 cars have been transferred to a mass-produced car with great dynamic qualities.
Convenient because it is easy to use and less tiring than a conventional gearbox. The clutch pedal has disappeared and gears are easy to engage. No fear of grating or sticking, and the engine never stalls accidentally. The Selespeed also ensures smooth gear changes and gradual torque transmission to the wheels. When 'city' mode is selected, the gearbox changes to an effective automatic transmission that allows a highly relaxed drive, particularly satisfying around town.
The Selespeed also offers the best guarantee of safety. It boasts a set of features designed to prevent drivers making mistakes. It also allows full control of the steering wheel even during gear changes because the driver no longer needs to remove a hand to reach the selector lever. Because the clutch pedal is no longer present, the driver is also able to brace his or her free left leg to stay in the seat on corners.
How it works
From a technical viewpoint, a conventional gear change involves three stages: during the first stage, the clutch opens to withdraw torque gradually from the wheels. During the second stage, the driver selects and engages a gear. During the third stage, the clutch closes to transmit new power to the wheels and engine rpm begins to rise.
The Selespeed gearbox carries out these manoeuvres automatically. Gear changes do not involve pressing the clutch or releasing the accelerator pedal. The transmission's electronic control unit (in constant communication with the engine control unit) controls clutch opening, torque reduction regardless of the amount by which the accelerator is depressed, speed selection and engagement.
Thus the Selespeed is not really an automatic transmission at all but a fully robotised manual gearbox. The driver always chooses the gear using controls on the steering wheel or a joystick between the seats in place of the conventional lever.
There are two switches on the steering wheel: an up control on the right (identified with a '+' sign) for sequential gear engagement during acceleration; a down control on the left (identified with a '-' sign) for changing down during deceleration.
The lever works in the same way: move it forward to change up or back to change down.
A 'city' button on the central tunnel is used to put the gearbox into automatic transmission mode. With this control on, the Selespeed assumes full responsibility for shifting gear and selecting the type of gear to engage.
A display in the rev counter indicates speed engaged, city mode or faults in the system.
One of the benefits of the new gearbox is the speed of gear shifts. When the Alfa 156 Selespeed is driven in normal mode, each change takes about one second, comparable with a conventional manual gearbox. If the accelerator is depressed by more than 60% of its travel and engine speed is maintained at about 5000 rpm, the time is halved: 4-5 tenths of a second. In other words, as long as the best test driver would take using a conventional manual gearbox.
Extreme sportiness, then, for the new Alfa 156 version. Few changes have been made to the 2.0 Twin Spark specification package. The Selespeed naturally differs from the 2.0 Twin Spark in the wording 'Selespeed' on its rear end and also the following features: exclusive 16 inch alloy wheels; new design leather steering wheel (produced exclusively for the Alfa 156), with gear controls; a display in the rev counter that indicates the gear engaged; carbon-coloured central console (available with the Sport Pack on the 2.0); climate control system, electric rear windows and front armrest as standard.
Alfa 156 2.5 Q-System
The 2.0 Selespeed is flanked by the 2.5 Q-System. This car is equipped with a gearbox able to squeeze maximum performance out of the 6 cylinder Alfa Romeo engine. The innovative Q-System not only offers three different automatic operating modes ('sport', 'city' and 'ice'), but can also be used to select speeds by hand as with a conventional manual gearbox.
Automatic transmission ensures better use of engine performance and greater comfort, particularly when driving round town. To these advantages, the Q-System adds the possibility of full manual control of the gearbox when required. This will certainly please anyone who does not wish to give up the satisfaction of a sporty drive.
One exclusive feature of the Q-System is the lever grille. The right-hand side of the selector displays the positions typical of all automatic transmissions: parking, reverse, neutral and drive.
Buttons beside the lever allow three operating modes to be selected. 'City' mode allows smooth gear shifts and balanced fuel management because the speeds are engaged at relatively low rpms. 'Sport' highlights the performance of the Alfa 156 2.5 V6 and ensures a lively, entertaining drive. Lastly, 'ice' maintains the best possible grip when the road surface is particularly dangerous, e.g. when driving on snow or ice-covered roads.
When the lever is moved to drive and then over to the left-hand sector, the car switches to manual driving mode. The speeds are arranged in an H as in conventional devices. First is top left, second is bottom left, third is top right and fourth is bottom right. Reverse may be selected only in the automatic transmission grid.
The Q-System specification differs from that of the 2.5 V6 in its standard leather steering wheel, and special gear control gear shift display in the rev counter.
Alfa Romeo's sporty saloon always had ambitious aims and it has been able not merely to achieve those aims but exceed them beyond all expectations. This success is borne out by the fact the car has been awarded an impressive total of 33 prizes by the Motoring press. Above all, however, it is borne out by the opinions of drivers throughout the world. The new model has been a hit everywhere, even in the most sophisticated European markets. In the Alfa 156's segment, the Brand's share has increased in just one year from 0.5 to 1.9 per cent in France; from 0.3 to 1.5 per cent in Spain; from 0.2 to 1.5 per cent in Germany, from 0.2 to 0.8 per cent in Great Britain.
All in all, the Alfa 156 has been able to live up to its promises. Now again it offers its public the very best technology: the range has been extended to include two new versions, the 2.0 Selespeed and the 2.5 V6 24V Q-System.
Alfa 156 2.0 Selespeed
The first car in the world to be fitted with the revolutionary JTD engines is now the first large-scale medium-sized car to offer a sequential robotised gearbox - the 2.0 Selespeed - with steering wheel controls. The gearbox technology is derived directly from the Ferrari 355 F1 system, which - like the Alfa system - is also produced by Magneti Marelli.
The Selespeed can be operated by two buttons on the steering wheel or a lever on the tunnel between the seats. It will give Alfa 156 customers the chance to experience a new type of driving: sporty, convenient and safe in all situations.
Sporty, because it allows fast, slick gear changes for superior performance. The driving techniques used on current Formula 1 cars have been transferred to a mass-produced car with great dynamic qualities.
Convenient because it is easy to use and less tiring than a conventional gearbox. The clutch pedal has disappeared and gears are easy to engage. No fear of grating or sticking, and the engine never stalls accidentally. The Selespeed also ensures smooth gear changes and gradual torque transmission to the wheels. When 'city' mode is selected, the gearbox changes to an effective automatic transmission that allows a highly relaxed drive, particularly satisfying around town.
The Selespeed also offers the best guarantee of safety. It boasts a set of features designed to prevent drivers making mistakes. It also allows full control of the steering wheel even during gear changes because the driver no longer needs to remove a hand to reach the selector lever. Because the clutch pedal is no longer present, the driver is also able to brace his or her free left leg to stay in the seat on corners.
How it works
From a technical viewpoint, a conventional gear change involves three stages: during the first stage, the clutch opens to withdraw torque gradually from the wheels. During the second stage, the driver selects and engages a gear. During the third stage, the clutch closes to transmit new power to the wheels and engine rpm begins to rise.
The Selespeed gearbox carries out these manoeuvres automatically. Gear changes do not involve pressing the clutch or releasing the accelerator pedal. The transmission's electronic control unit (in constant communication with the engine control unit) controls clutch opening, torque reduction regardless of the amount by which the accelerator is depressed, speed selection and engagement.
Thus the Selespeed is not really an automatic transmission at all but a fully robotised manual gearbox. The driver always chooses the gear using controls on the steering wheel or a joystick between the seats in place of the conventional lever.
There are two switches on the steering wheel: an up control on the right (identified with a '+' sign) for sequential gear engagement during acceleration; a down control on the left (identified with a '-' sign) for changing down during deceleration.
The lever works in the same way: move it forward to change up or back to change down.
A 'city' button on the central tunnel is used to put the gearbox into automatic transmission mode. With this control on, the Selespeed assumes full responsibility for shifting gear and selecting the type of gear to engage.
A display in the rev counter indicates speed engaged, city mode or faults in the system.
One of the benefits of the new gearbox is the speed of gear shifts. When the Alfa 156 Selespeed is driven in normal mode, each change takes about one second, comparable with a conventional manual gearbox. If the accelerator is depressed by more than 60% of its travel and engine speed is maintained at about 5000 rpm, the time is halved: 4-5 tenths of a second. In other words, as long as the best test driver would take using a conventional manual gearbox.
Extreme sportiness, then, for the new Alfa 156 version. Few changes have been made to the 2.0 Twin Spark specification package. The Selespeed naturally differs from the 2.0 Twin Spark in the wording 'Selespeed' on its rear end and also the following features: exclusive 16 inch alloy wheels; new design leather steering wheel (produced exclusively for the Alfa 156), with gear controls; a display in the rev counter that indicates the gear engaged; carbon-coloured central console (available with the Sport Pack on the 2.0); climate control system, electric rear windows and front armrest as standard.
Alfa 156 2.5 Q-System
The 2.0 Selespeed is flanked by the 2.5 Q-System. This car is equipped with a gearbox able to squeeze maximum performance out of the 6 cylinder Alfa Romeo engine. The innovative Q-System not only offers three different automatic operating modes ('sport', 'city' and 'ice'), but can also be used to select speeds by hand as with a conventional manual gearbox.
Automatic transmission ensures better use of engine performance and greater comfort, particularly when driving round town. To these advantages, the Q-System adds the possibility of full manual control of the gearbox when required. This will certainly please anyone who does not wish to give up the satisfaction of a sporty drive.
One exclusive feature of the Q-System is the lever grille. The right-hand side of the selector displays the positions typical of all automatic transmissions: parking, reverse, neutral and drive.
Buttons beside the lever allow three operating modes to be selected. 'City' mode allows smooth gear shifts and balanced fuel management because the speeds are engaged at relatively low rpms. 'Sport' highlights the performance of the Alfa 156 2.5 V6 and ensures a lively, entertaining drive. Lastly, 'ice' maintains the best possible grip when the road surface is particularly dangerous, e.g. when driving on snow or ice-covered roads.
When the lever is moved to drive and then over to the left-hand sector, the car switches to manual driving mode. The speeds are arranged in an H as in conventional devices. First is top left, second is bottom left, third is top right and fourth is bottom right. Reverse may be selected only in the automatic transmission grid.
The Q-System specification differs from that of the 2.5 V6 in its standard leather steering wheel, and special gear control gear shift display in the rev counter.