Alfa 156: 1998 Car of the Year

This new achievement is the ninth time a Fiat Auto model has been given the world automotive industry's most prestigious award. A record no other manufacturer comes close to: runner up Renault has only won it four times. What's more as many as three of the last four Awards have gone to Fiat Auto: Fiat Punto 1995; Fiat Bravo/Brava 1996, Alfa 156 1998.

The Alfa 156 came first with 454 votes to lead the 5-model shortlist 188 points ahead of the Volkswagen Golf and Audi 16 and even farther ahead of the Mercedes A Class and the Citroën Xsara.

And just to underline the triumph of Alfa's new sports saloon, as many as 40 of the 56 jury members put the 156 in first place, echoing the trade press in their approval of the innovative character, quality and international vocation of the new Alfa Romeo.

By the end of next year, in fact, the Alfa 156 will be on sale in 48 different countries. Aimed at Europe's family saloon segment D the new model has already attracted 40,000 orders just one month after its European launch. The Car of the Year Award will be presented to the Alfa 156 in Stockholm on January 12 1998.

1998 CAR OF THE YEAR

The Car of the Year Award dates back to 1964.The current jury is composed of 56 motoring journalists representing 21 different European countries.

To qualify for consideration new cars have to have been marketed in at least five different European countries during 1997. In addition, contenders are judged on the following parameters:design, comfort, safety, running economy, driveability, performance, practicality, environmental compatibility, price and value for money.

A shortlist of five models is selected from all eligible cars marketed during the year.

Each member of the jury is given 25 points to allocate to at least 4 of the 5 shortlisted models and can award no more than 15 points to his or her first choice.