Below the official press release
Photo’s on www.pbase.com/tas/crosswagon
Click on images to enlarge
Only available with the 1.9JTD 150HP / 305Nm engine
Looks like a "high" 156SW to me.
—
Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
156 SW 1.8 (2000)
Montreal (1973/4)
THE ALFA 156 CROSSWAGON, WORLD PREMIER
Alfa Romeo marks its return to the four wheel drive world with the
world premier of the Alfa Crosswagon which will go on sale in the second
half of 2004.
Alfa Romeo has entered this segment with the aim of improving on the
current crop of all road vehicles: the very Alfa dash of elegant sportiness
it adds brings a completely new and unique dimension to the segment.
This new stylistic approach is very apparent in the Station Wagon
version. The model, designed by the Arese Style Centre, features an
unmistakable Alfa Romeo shape. But the trait that really typifies the
Crosswagon is crossover appeal since it combines the off-road performance of
an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) with the driving satisfaction and handling of
a compact Alfa Romeo while offering a versatile, functional Station Wagon
passenger compartment.
And more. The Crosswagon expresses its greater versatility (higher
ground clearance with improved approach and exit angles when cornering), a
strong aesthetic personality, great safety and overall solidity plus
outstanding comfort in all service conditions. These features make the new
model perfectly at ease around town or on unsurfaced roads yet do not
detract from its sporty, stylish, clean-cut line: a trait common to all Alfa
Romeos.
The Crosswagon owes its all-terrain look in particular to underdoor
aluminium protections, special front and rear bumpers with aluminium
inserts, an original bumper grille and carrier bars. In a word, the
Crosswagon was created to overcome any road situation without ever stooping
to compromises. This is also evident in a ride set-up that is nearly 6
centimetres higher than the Sportwagon’s and the 225/55 R17 all season
wheels with special compound and tread. The tyres are also designed to offer
great comfort under normal driving conditions with good grip and a safe
drive on snow, unsurfaced or uneven roads, mud or treacherous roads in
general.
Inside, the new model features an instrument panel with brand new
design, a compass built into the mirror plus special carpets and mats, an
elegant, new hi-tech trim for the central console and, optionally, new top
quality leather upholstery. So much for the external appearance of the new
Crosswagon. The real revolutionary aspect lies in its 4×4 drive system with
three differentials and a Torsen C system that distributes variable torque
over the front and rear wheels.
Style
The Alfa Crosswagon is immediately recognisable for its unmistakable
Alfa shape made up of exactly the right mix of surfaces, style, poise and
sportiness. The new vehicle also has its own specific identity and is highly
versatile due to its higher ground clearance and improved approach and exit
angles. Despite its strong personality, it never strays beyond the
boundaries of sporting good taste imposed by Alfa Romeo stylistic canons.
The power and attitude of the Crosswagon are emphasised by a bigger
gap between the wide tyres and wheelarches that is not, however, as
exaggerated as on a conventional off road vehicle. The new model also
conveys a sense of safety and overall solidity. The bumpers, for example,
play a fundamental role in characterising the vehicle. They are designed
with lines that confer strength without ever losing sight of style and good
taste. They include a metal alloy insert in a central area that acts as a
protective shield. The rail covers also speak the same stylistic language:
they are bound to be generously sized to offer side protection but are made
slimmer and more dynamic by a longitudinal metal insert. A two tone body is
used to sophisticated and exclusive effect in line with the vehicle’s style.
It offers a functional exterior for unsurfaced country roads and looks
stylish around town as well. The 9 body shades (4 new) are all based on a
palette of natural colours and available in fine grain and medium-coarse
grain versions to enhance the colour highlights created by the Crosswagon’s
sinuous shape.
Four wheel drive
The Alfa Crosswagon transmission features 4 permanently engaged drive
wheels, three differentials and torque distribution preferentially to the
rear.
The Torsen C differential continuously modulates torque distribution
between front and rear axles according to grip. This feature makes for a
sporty drive that in turn increases active safety.
The mechanical modulation is continuous and progressive. It conveys an
optimum driving sensation that is satisfying and easy for the driver. Torque
distribution takes place without any time lag. The car’s grip performance
adapts gradually in linear fashion to changing road conditions. This
mechanical system is complemented by an electronic system for extra
performance and safety margins in line with the Alfa Romeo philosophy.
The Crosswagon is absolutely cutting edge as far as engineering is
concerned and offers unexpected benefits.
1.. Beginning with ride comfort. The increased ground clearance and
generous tyre size brings a decided improvement when driving over obstacles
while the stiffer body helps lower sound resonance effects. Because not all
the torque needs be transmitted through the front axle, it has been possible
to configure the geometry of the double wishbone front suspension for ride
comfort.
2.. Permanent traction makes it possible to increase roadholding,
driving satisfaction and smoothness of response. No other four wheel drive,
implemented using electronic couplings, can offer the same optimum balance
between oversteer, understeer and smoothness of response typical of the
Crosswagon, that translates into great roadholding and active safety.
Preferential torque distribution to the rear axle adds further driving
satisfaction because vehicle handling is improved while guaranteeing maximum
stability during sudden high speed lane changes on the motorway, as
sometimes happens during emergency manoeuvres.
3.. Off-road performance is also better than expected. The driver
need no longer fear transmission lag and the combination of electronic and
mechanical control makes differential locking effective in extreme
conditions. For example, the car negotiates demanding obstacles like twists,
where one wheel is completely off the ground, with complete aplomb. In
short, the Crosswagon is four wheel drive Alfa Romeo style: an essentially
mechanical system complemented by the most advanced electronics to assure
maximum driving comfort together with optimum performance and total safety.
Suspension
Driving satisfaction is always a strength of Alfa Romeo cars and the
Crosswagon is no exception. The model therefore repeats the layout adopted
on the 156 with some adjustment: high double-wishbone at the front,
MacPherson at the back with transverse rods of different lengths.
The earlier version has been redesigned and optimised due to the car’s
higher ground clearance compared to the basic model while also maintaining
the steering feel and precision typical of an on-road Alfa 156. The rear
suspension has also been revised to increase car stability during pull-in,
release and breaking to adapt to four wheel drive performance.
In detail, the choice of a double wishbone layout for the front
suspension meets a specific aim: to achieve maximum lateral hold, a highly
effective and precise steering response and excellent traction – and to wed
these specifications with an ability to absorb and damp road surface
roughness typical of the most comfortable cars in the segment. The double
wishbone layout allows high longitudinal flexibility to be achieved on the
wheel side without impairing roadholding on corners and steering dynamics.
The car’s on-road behaviour is aided by a rear suspension that gives the
model the greatest stability during high speed manoeuvres and all the
agility required of a true sports car over tight mixed routes. Hence the
choice of a MacPherson suspension featuring asymmetrical arms and refined
elastokinetic properties. On the Crosswagon, the rear suspension is
connected to the chassis by a crossmember made out of vacuum cast aluminium.
The benefits of the MacPherson strut layout include low weight, great
comfort (assured by extensive wheel travels and longitudinal flexibility)
and numerous ride control options. The front and rear suspension layout also
allows the various joints, including the steering arm joints, to yield in a
calibrated manner without this affecting driving precision. The set of
features adopted allowed us to achieve the very highest level results in
terms of insulating out all noise and absorbing the minor roughness that
often causes annoying knocking sounds to reverberate from the body.
Engine and gearbox
Power and character. The Crosswagon combines the great driving comfort
offered by its suspension with all the exuberant character of an Alfa sports
model. This explains why the new model is equipped with the powerful 1.9 JTD
16v Multijet developing 110 kW (150 bhp) plus a 6 speed manual gearbox with
sports ratios. The unit is a 4 cylinder in line engine with a bore of 82
millimetres and a stroke of 90.4 mm, capable of delivering a power output of
110 kW at 4000 rpm and a torque of 305 Nm (31 kgm) at 2000 rpm. The new
turbodiesel has undergone several engineering changes to increase
performance and engine torque at low speeds and to reduce noise and
vibration levels. For example, the Common Rail system used on the 1.9 JTD
16v Multijet includes two new strategies for automatically calibrating and
balancing the diesel injected to lower noise and reduce vibration.
Braking system and active
…
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