Thursday 9th October 1997

The Alfa Romeo 156 was launched in Lisbon. The appearance of this car, a medium-sized sports saloon that encapsulated Alfa Romeo’s proud sporting and engineering heritage in a clean, stylish and obviously Italian package, set the company on a fast-track to rejuvenation. The new 156 was voted Car of the Year 1998; this award being followed by some 35 further accolades.