sportwagon Base Engine: Genuine gems of automobile engineering, the seven diesel and petrol engines available for the new 156 Sportwagon represent the ideal blend of performance, fuel consumption, reliability and environmental compatibility.

From the turbodiesel 175 bhp 20 valve 2.4 M-Jet with second generation Common Rail technology. Another world first which guarantees enhanced performance, lower noise levels and lower consumption.

The 20v 2.4 JTD M-Jet is a high power diesel, with175 bhp at 4000 rpm, generous torque with and 39.2 kgm at 2000 rpm, low fuel consumption, low emissions and a notably quiet engine warm-up.

Its outstanding performance is also thanks to the increased pressure of the direct injection system - taken from 1350 to 1400 bars - and the new setting of the turbocharger.

The 20 valve 2.4 JTD M-Jet has five in-line cylinders with a bore of 82 millimetres and a stroke of 90.4 mm. The four valves per cylinder are activated by tappets and equalisers with a double overhead camshaft.

The Common Rail system utilised in the new engine features two new automatic control strategies for the settings and balance of the diesel fuel injected, ensuring lower noise levels and vibrations.

There is a host of other new elements designed by the Alfa Romeo research and engineering centre: from the cylinder heads with hydraulic tappets to the steel connecting rods and engine shaft; from the piston with internal pipe to allow the coolant oil to circulate, to the innovative materials used for the main bearings and big end bearings.

Perfectly in line with the great Alfa Romeo sporting tradition, which also comes through in the other petrol and diesel engines in the stunning new 156 Sportwagon range.