Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 156 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Alfa-Romeo 156 has a 3179cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The 156 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 156's Front Wheel Drive, Estate 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 1460 kgs (3218 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 156 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3179cc 24V V6 engine produces 246 bhp (183 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 221 lb-ft (299.6 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe (193.4 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 168.4 bhp per ton and 151.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 156 competing with the 2003 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe (193.4 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Bentley Arnage T 6.8 V8 4d Auto (193.4 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 151.3 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 1990 Toyota Supra 2.5 Twin Turbo (176.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Honda NSX R 3.2 V6 (176.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 156 and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 156 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.52 secs @ 94.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 (14.46 secs), the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90 (14.47 secs), and the 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (14.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 156 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 Sportwagon then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2002 156 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison