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Source: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/CARS/new...jsp?dbid=18718
Alfa Romeo's revised and restyled 156 goes on sale on September 1 with additional trim levels and more engine options.
A more prominent grille and aggressive-looking headlights are the most obvious styling changes, although the tail lights and rear bumper have also been revised. The 2.5 V6 petrol has been discontinued while range-topping, leather-lined Lusso specification is only now available with the top-rated 2.0-litre petrol and 2.4-litre diesel.
New entry-level models, badged simply 156, bring starting prices down by £170 to £14,650, while a handful of existing trim levels are also £200 cheaper depending on engine size. On average, prices increase by around 2%, however, and by more than £1100 on some Veloce-specified cars.
Entry-level specification includes air-conditioning, CD player, electric front windows, remote central locking, six airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction control which is now offered across the range as standard for the first time.
The cheapest 156s miss out on the alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather steering wheel, armrests and third rear three-point seatbelt that are standard on Turismo models.
Diesel buyers now have three engines to choose from. The 1.9-litre unit is now tuned to 140bhp, as well 115bhp, and priced from £17,240 and £15,490 respectively. The new 2.4-litre offers 175bhp and starts at £20,630.
The 140bhp diesel manages 0-62mph in 9.3sec, a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 47.9mpg and emissions low enough for a 18% company car tax banding. The 2.4-litre reaches 62mph in just 8.3sec, yet returns 42.8mpg on the combined cycle and squeezes into the 22% tax bracket.
The petrol line-up is boosted by the 165bhp 2.0-litre JTS which is available from £19,190 and makes 62mph in 8.2 seconds, returns 32.8mpg and sits in the 25% tax band.
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