The Alfa Romeo 156 continues to go from strength to strength and by the end of August 2000 will have won Alfa dealers more than 230,000 orders since its launch. The impact the model has made in 66 countries throughout the world has been mainly responsible for the relaunch of our brand and our regained share of the international market.
One of the reasons for this success is the Alfa Romeo 156's ability to satisfy a well-informed, demanding breed of customer. Such customers perceive Alfa's sporty saloon as an excellent product that keeps the spirit of the brand alive while staying abreast of the latest developments in automotive engineering, just like its bigger brother the Alfa Romeo 166.
Visitors to Frankfurt will be able to admire the Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6 and the model's latest offspring: the 2.0 Selespeed. This car is fitted with a robotised sequential gearbox with steering wheel controls. This technology derives directly from the Ferrari 355 F1 and ensures this is an out-and-out sporty version because it allows fast, precise gear changes for great performance.
The car's other strengths include comfort and driving ease. The Selespeed is less tiring than a conventional gearbox: it does not have a clutch pedal and gears are engaged quickly without effort.
The Selespeed is also safe: you do not have to take your hand off the wheel to reach the selector lever and so can keep full control of the car even during gear changes.
The heart of the system is an electronic transmission control unit (in constant communication with the engine management unit). When you request a gear change the unit automatically opens the clutch, reduces torque regardless of the amount the accelerator is pressed and then selects and engages the gear.
The speed to be engaged is always chosen by the driver, who can control the gearbox using a lever between the seats or controls on the steering wheel: the right control for sequential gear shifts during acceleration; the left control to change down and decelerate.
Due to electronic wizardry, this manual gearbox can also be used in fully automatic mode. To activate the second operating mode, simply press the 'city' button on the central tunnel and the Selespeed system will assume responsibility for deciding which gear to use and when to change.
Differences between this version and the normal 2.0 T. Spark outfit include the wording Selespeed on the rear of the car, exclusive 16 inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel with gearbox controls, display in the rev counter indicating the gear engaged, carbon-coloured central console, climate control system, electric rear windows and front armrest as standard.
Remember that the Alfa Romeo 156 range is made up of another six versions over and above the two on show in Frankfurt: 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 T. Spark; 1.9 and 2.4 JTD; 2.5 Q-System. The Q-System version comes with a gearbox that can work in automatic mode but also allows the driver to select gears manually as with a conventional manual gearbox.

The flagship Alfa Romeo 166, created at the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, expresses harmony of form and content while combining the elegance of a great saloon...

The Alfa Romeo 166 has arrived - another important milestone for the development of the Alfa Romeo brand. The new model is a big saloon and a flagship...

Alfa Romeo 159 is an exclusive sedan combining refined Italian style with the "elegant sportiness" of Alfa Romeo. The Alfa Romeo 159...

The undisputed star of the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show, the Alfa Romeo 159 made its market debut. The founder of the new family that will replace...

The Alfa Romeo GT, a new sports coupé derived from the Alfa Romeo 156 and indisputable star of the recent Geneva and Frankfurt Motor Shows, is due...

Guts and character are the attributes of the powerful 220 bhp (162 kW) 3.0 V6 24V power unit fitted to the Alfa Romeo GTV on view. This engine, combined...

Sportiness and elegance packaged in a unique, exclusive style. Harmony of shape and volume that add up to a good-looking, powerful and solid car...

New Alfa Romeo Giulia has new tail lights in glass with a transparent finish, while those on the New Stelvio come in smoked glass with a glossy black finish.

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia can be ordered from showrooms across Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The range...

The Alfa Romeo Giulia, the top-of-the-range model sporting the legendary Quadrifoglio badge, was introduced to the international press at the Alfa Romeo...

Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA is instantly recognizable courtesy of an exclusive characterization that is both aesthetic and functional, confirming it is not an...

One date in Alfa Romeo's recent history was responsible for bringing about a revolution in Brand sales and image. The auspicious date, October 9 1997, was...

The Alfa Romeo 156 continues to go from strength to strength and by the end of August 2000 will have won Alfa dealers more than 230,000 orders since its...

New Renault Laguna's more assertive front-end styling - which features 'eyelid' headlights with black masks as standard, as well as additional chrome...

New Laguna's refined lines have been carefully crafted to create a dynamic, fluid design that effortlessly underpins the model's status as a true Grand...

The Laguna II had a small facelift and relaunch in March 2005. The engines are much the same as before, with the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol units being offered in...

The styling of the second generation Laguna was heavily influenced by the Initiale concept car. Unfortunately, despite the technological advances...

The Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. Launched in 1994, the original model was replaced by an all-new...

The new Saab 9-3 range features bold, more assertive looks, reflecting a series of powertrain improvements that include the introduction of all-wheel-drive...

Saab celebrates three decades of leadership in turbocharging at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show by launching the Saab Turbo X, a...

The new 9-3, like all other Saabs, remained a front-wheel drive car. The most drastic change from the former generation was the elimination of the hatchback design.

Originally, the 9-3 was due to debut with the Opel Vectra in October 2001, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but in July 2001, it was announced that delays had...

The Saab 9-3 is an entry-level luxury car / compact executive car produced by the Swedish automaker Saab. It shares platforms with the Opel Vectra. The car...

Saab claimed that 1,100 changes were made, including a revised suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor...

The second or 'new' generation Saab 900 (also referred to as the GM900 or NG900 among enthusiasts) was built on GM's GM2900 platform as a replacement for...

Superb comes with the octagonal Skoda grille, the Skoda logo on the bonnet and the front apron's trim strips finished in Unique Dark Chrome. Thanks to a number of small tweaks...

The revised Skoda Superb also comes with new decorative trims for the centre console and dashboard. The coloured contrasting stitching on the leather and Alcantara...

The name alone is a commitment: a Skoda Superb has to be something special. In accordance with this task, the Skoda designers and developers have taken the...

Škoda is launching the next stage of its model offensive with the Škoda Superb. The brand's top-selling model impresses with attractive new...

The presentation of the new Škoda Superb was accompanied by great expectations. Not only the potential and the success of its predecessor have set...

The prestigious Škoda Superb has already become an essential part of the Škoda Auto range and legitimately takes the position of the flagship...


The Chevrolet Malibu's front fascia, grilles and headlamps are all-new. The headlamps are integrated with the upper grille and the larger, bolder...

Chevrolet introduced the all-new 2016 Malibu - a completely restyled midsize sedan engineered to offer more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety...

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu made its global debut at the 2011 Auto Shanghai, with simultaneous introductions in the United States and China - two of...

The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu delivers great performance, fuel economy and refinement, wrapped in a clean, tailored design that carries the new face of...

The Malibu name was moved to the new Epsilon platform for 2004, but the previous car remained in production as the Chevrolet Classic for car rental and...

A new front-wheel drive Malibu was introduced in 1997 on an extended wheelbase version of the GM N platform with Pontiac Grand Am, Buick Skylark,...

2023 Honda Accord features all-new elegant and sophisticated styling that further advances the new Honda design direction, with long, clean body lines...

Honda Accord Hybrid benefits from updates to the innovative Honda two-motor hybrid system for a more direct and immediate throttle response with a more natural...

The 2018 Honda Accord's 1.5-liter turbo and 2.0-liter turbo engines are produced at the Anna, Ohio engine plant using domestic and globally-sourced parts...

Crisply styled and aerodynamically efficient, the ninth-generation Honda Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe body designs and engineering features are the most...

The all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan and Honda Accord Coupe mark the beginning of the ninth generation of Honda's best-selling midsize car. More...

Set to go on sale in mid-August of 2010, the 2011 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe receive significant updates including improved fuel economy, enhanced...

An available 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine produces 268-horsepower - the most ever for any Honda Accord - while introducing a new generation of fuel-saving...

Despite being in its last year of the generation, the 2007 Accord was still ranked highly by reviewers, scoring slightly below the redesigned Toyota Camry...

Larger than ever, the Accord is given a new level of refinement with chrome interior accents and higher grade materials. The lineup still includes the...

In September 2000, both the American-market Accord Sedan and coupe received a minor facelift. A new front fascia, rear bumper, side skirt alteration...

The American Accord was only available in sedan and coupe form, becoming the largest Accord to date, sharing a platform with the Japan-market Honda Inspire/Acura TL.
![1998 Honda Accord Type R [UK]](/mg.ph.jpg)
The Honda Accord Type R was a performance variant of the standard Accord, sold in European markets. Apart from a similar yet different body, the European...

Acclaimed for its handling, the 1996 Accord has been known as one of the best handling Japanese midsized sedans of all time, posting impressive lateral g...

The fifth-generation Honda Accord for the European market was unveiled in 1993 and was completely different from the global model ('CD'). It was in fact...

The V6 was offered in both the LX and EX versions of the sedan, LX models being referred to as LX-V6 and EX models as EX-V6. EX-V6 models came...

A 125-horsepower (93 kW) 4-cylinder engine was offered in the DX and LX models (F22A1), while the 1990 and 1991 EX received a 130 hp (97 kW) version (F22A4).

The third generation Accord was introduced in Japan on 4 June 1985 and in Europe and North America later that year. It had a very striking exterior design...

The 1984 sedan was available in four exterior colors, Greek White and three metallic options: Columbus Gray, Regency Red (burgundy), and Stratos Blue (steel).

Debuting on 22 September 1981 in Japan, Europe, and in North America, this generation of the Accord being produced in Japan, became the first to also be...

The first generation Honda Accord was launched on 7 May 1976 as a three-door hatchback with 68 hp (51 kW), a 93.7-inch (2,380.0 mm) wheelbase, and a weight...

This gave the nameplate both a two and a four-door model, though they shared nothing alike other than the name and a few exterior styling cues...

The Dodge Stratus, the middle entry of the JA platform (with the Cirrus being the higher-end model and the Breeze being the lower-end model), was...