Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 156 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Alfa-Romeo 156 has a 2387cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St5's includes the 2006 Alfa-Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDm

The 156 shares its Diesel St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2006 Alfa-Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDm and the 2019 Ford Ranger Double Cab High Rider 3.2 TDCI. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 156's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 156 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 2387cc 24V St5 engine produces 172 bhp (128 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 284 lb-ft (385.0 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alfa-Romeo 156 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 MG ZT 4.6 V8 260 (152.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 156.

The Alfa-Romeo 156 has a Power to weight ratio of 127.4 bhp per ton and 210.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 156 competing with the 2003 MG ZT 4.6 V8 260 (152.3 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (152.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alfa-Romeo 156 generating around 210.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Bentley Continental GT Speed 2d Auto (235.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW X6 M 4.4 V8 Turbo F86 (235.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 156 and the 2006 Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 156 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.96 secs @ 85.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Bentley Arnage R 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo (15.89 secs), the 2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 987 (15.89 secs), and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 156 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

2003 156 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison