Alfa Romeo 156 JTD (Diesel)
This 115bhp 1.9-litre engine slots in below the more advanced 1.9-litre and 2.4-litre JTD Multijet units and represents an affordable way to buy into this common-rail diesel family.
The engine offers the usual diesel benefits of reliability, low maintenance, high torque, reduced CO2 emissions and low fuel consumption but does so with a genuinely impressive smoothness for an engine of such modest capacity. This is largely down to the Unijet technology the powerplant employs. Here, injection pressure is independent of engine speed and can therefore be varied throughout the rev range, irrespective of the amount of diesel being delivered.
This improves combustion, which has significant benefits for both performance and economy and also reduces noise, making the engine around 8 decibels quieter than a diesel engine with conventional injection.
With a top speed that nudges 120mph and a sprint to 60mph of 10 seconds flat, the 156 JTD 115 may be the junior sibling in the 156 diesel line up but it never loses sight of the fact that it is, above all, an Alfa Romeo. A combined fuel consumption figure of 48.7mpg and a CO2 emissions showing of 155g/km completes the picture, making the 156 JTD 115 a tempting choice for both private and corporate buyers. Though the cars asking price significantly undercuts rivals from BMW and Audi, even the entry-level JTD 115 comes well equipped.
Expect air-conditioning, a six-speaker CD stereo, six airbags, VDC stability control, traction control and ABS with electric brake distribution. The Turismo adds alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and front fog lights but the Veloce trumps that with bigger alloys, climate control and a sports body kit amongst other things. The Sportwagon JTD 115 in Turismo trim is probably the most tempting of the three cars fitted with this engine.
Key Features of the Alfa Romeo 156 JTD (Diesel)
INSURANCE GROUPS: 11-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 155g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10s / Max Speed 119 mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 48.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS