Alfa 156 "Car of the Year 1998" in Denmark

The Danish motor journalists have by a large majority elected the new Alfa Romeo 156 "Car of the Year 1998". The election took place at the Kongensbro Kro and was the climax of several days of hard test driving of the different candidates at the Jyllandsringen.

It was not just one, but many positive qualities which were decisive for the election of Alfa 156 as "Car of the Year". Among the qualities were:

• The eminent handling of the car which gives an extreme driving safety and optimum driving pleasure.
• The many innovative solutions relating to the engine; Twin Spark ignition, variable geometry intake system, two counter rotating balancer shafts, Unijet direct injection (Diesel) etc.
• The unique design of the car where Alfa Romeo's design centre Centro Stile in Milan has chosen new paths and proven that it is possible to change the development which tends to focus on the total anonymity, where all cars more or less look alike.
• A reduction/minimisation of the car's weight by using light materials such as magnesium in the front seat construction, magnesium in the construction of the steering column, rear suspension anchorage beam of vacuum diecast aluminium etc.

Besides Alfa Romeo 156 the candidates for the "Car of the Year 1998" were Audi A6, Citroën Xsara, Citroën Berlingo/Peugeot Partner, Daewoo Lanos, Daewoo Nubira, Ford Ka, Ford Galaxy, Honda CR-V, Kia Clarus, Lancia Y, Mazda 626, Mercedes A-klasse, Mitsubishi Galant, Saab 9-5, Seat Arosa, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, and Volvo 70.

Five cars were nominated for the final round, and these were Alfa 156, Citroën Berlingo/Peugeot Partner, Citroën Xsara, Mazda 626, and Mercedes A-klasse.

Even though the excitement among the partecipants at the Kongensbro Kro was tense, in the end Alfa Romeo 156 had the best of it and was elected a sovereign winner of the title "Car of the Year 1998" in Denmark. The votes were the following:

Alfa Romeo 156	203
Citroën Berlingo/Peugeot Partner	152
Citroën Xsara	139
Mercedes Benz A-klasse	117
Mazda 626	89