This image gives an interpretation of how the replacement for the highly successful 156 saloon might look, based on current Alfa family styling cues. Larger than the 156, the 158 (as it is rumoured to be called) offers the bigger front grille 'heart' and more aggressive headlamps seen on the facelifted 156 launched last month, along with a front bumper that draws on the 1900-inspired Kamal SUV concept unveiled in Geneva earlier this year.

Spy photos of Alfa's 156 replacement published by our Italian associates ItaliaSpeed show a disguised prototype undergoing endurance testing at the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany recently. Dimensionally larger than the current car, with deeper, more prominent bumpers, the 158 will be targeted at Alfa Romeo's US re-launch.

Immediately obvious is that the Giugiaro-styled new car draws on the current car for its overall shape, while the front end follows the "family" pattern with a large heart-style grille. Thankfully, other features of the 156 such as the concealed entry handles for the rear side doors are retained.

Based on the brand-new "Premium" platform, developed with GM & Saab, the 158 will offer two and four wheel drive options. The suspension will be double wishbone at the front with a highly revised multi-link set-up at the rear. The 158 will use the new family of all-alloy V6 engines being developed by GM at present.

The following models are thought to be on offer:

Front-wheel drive:
- 1.8 JTS
- 1.9 Multijet JTD
- 1.9 Multijet JTD
- 2.0 JTS
- 2.2 JTS
- 2.4 Multijet JTD

Four-wheel drive:
- 2.0 JTS
- 2.2
- 2.8 V6
- 3.2 V6 JTS
- Quadrifoglio 2.2 JTS
- GTA (Europe & Japan) 3.2 V6 JTS twin-turbo
- GTA (USA) 4.2 V8 JTS
- 1.9 Multijet
- 2.4 Multijet
- 3.2 V6 Multijet JTD

The Car Enthusiast will be testing the new-look Alfa 156 Sportwagon in September. Keep an eye on the main Road Tests page for the review.

ItaliaSpeed - 9 Jul 2003