14.04.2004 Exclusive look at the styling of the Alfa Romeo 158, the replacement for the current 156, due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next March

We offer a first exclusive look at the styling of the Alfa Romeo 158, the replacement for the current 156, due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Once again styled by Guigiaro, the new saloon will take its looks from the impressive Italdesign Visconti concept first seen at last month's Swiss show.

The new 158 will be dimensionally larger and visually more bold in appearance than the 156 as Fiat's sportscar brand aims to catapult itself firmly into BMW and Mercedes territory.

The side flanks and rear will keep to the 156 theme, but will be larger and run into a higher boot. Other features, such as the concealed entry handles for the rear side doors, will be retained, allowing an 'evolutionary' effect to also be projected.

Based on the brand-new "Premium" platform, developed with GM & Saab, the 158 will offer front 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. Alfa Romeo engineers are currently developing four wheel steering, but the green light has not as yet been given for this option.

The new model will use the new family of all-alloy V6 engines presently being developed by GM. Alfa Romeo engineers are revising the units to gain more power, and importantly, create the traditional Alfa exhaust note.

The launch line up next year will be powered by the following petrol units, a 1.8 130bhp, **1.9JTS 160bhp, **2.2JTS 190bhp, *2.8V6JTS 230bhp, *3.2V6JTS 265bhp, while the initial diesel range will comprise of a 1.9JTD 120bhp, **1.9JTD 150bhp, **2.4JTD 200bhp and a *3.0V6JTD 250bhp.

2006 will see the introduction of a powerful series of high performing engines, a *3.2V6JTS TwinTurbo 405bhp/680nm in the new GTA version, a *2.2JTS Turbo 310bhp Quadrifoglio and a *3.0V6JTD TwinTurbo 300bhp QV diesel option.

*standard Torsen-C 4wd transmission.
**Torsen-C as option.