Alfa Romeo refreshed the 156 range in September 2001 and gave people one more reason to buy it in the station wagon shape named Sportwagon: the GTA.
The Italian carmaker took the name from the former sporty 1965 GTA (Grand Turismo Aleggerita) and improved the Sportwagon in every way it could. Thanks to its enhanced design, stunning interior, and more punchy powertrain, it should make it to the top of the automotive news. Unfortunately, it was shown on 9/11 2001, at Frankfurt Motor Show.

The designers replaced all the bumpers and rocker panels from the standard Alfa Romeo 159 package. They replaced it with an air-splitter at the front, inspired by a Formula 1 car’s nose-wing. On the sides, the rocker panels took their aerodynamic role seriously and streamlined the air along with the bodywork and over the rear fenders. At the back, the hatchback-style greenhouse sported a roof spoiler at the top of the tailgate, while the rear wrapped around bumper was extended on the lower side and featured a twin exhaust on the car’s left side.

With its leather-clad interior, sports-bucket seats with integrated headrests, and aluminum trims and pedals, the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA stood apart from the rest of its siblings. The whole atmosphere was sporty, and the high-bolstered seats promised good side support during hard cornering. With more headroom than its sedan sibling, the Sportwagon version was more comfortable for the rear seat passengers.

But the real change was under the hood, where Alfa Romeo installed a 3.2-liter V-6 engine. It was tuned to provide 250 hp and mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox. As an option, the Italian brand offered an option for its Selespeed (automated) gearbox with paddle-shifters.