Originally, the 156 Sportwagon was a station wagon based on the sedan Alfa Romeo 156, which went on sale in 2000. Elegant, relatively sporty in its handling, and boasting a particularly striking silhouette, it remains, above all, a family car designed for highway driving. Nothing really suggested it was destined to become a drag-racing machine.
Yet that is precisely the path taken by this car, which was modified in Slovakia. The modifications are extensive and affect virtually every area: the engine, transmission, chassis, body, and racing equipment. In fact, nothing remains of the original 156 SW—only a silhouette tailored for drag racing.
The car stands out for its particularly aggressive design. The flared fenders, wheels designed for standing starts, hood vents with vertical exhaust pipes, and various aerodynamic features give it a look that bears little resemblance to that of a standard station wagon.
Lancia Mechanics
But its main feature lies under the hood: this Alfa Romeo does not use a Twin Spark engine, but rather a Lancia 2.0 16V Turbo engine, according to details provided by the driver to Italpassion. The Lampredi family of four-cylinder engines is a popular choice for «swaps,» particularly because of its use in the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. These engines have proven themselves time and again in competition and have inspired numerous turbo conversions capable of handling significant power increases, as we’ve seen in hill climbs before.
The advertised power output is 430 HP. For a 2-liter engine, this represents a particularly high level of tuning, with a specific output of 215 ch per liter. Electronic control is handled by a VEMS system, while visible components include Hoosier tires and 32 Racing Wheels rims specifically designed for drag racing. Details regarding the engine’s internal modifications remain unknown: the turbocharger, boost pressure, pistons, connecting rods, cylinder head, fuel system, and cooling system are not documented. It would therefore be premature to attribute a specific configuration to this engine.
Another key feature of this Alfa Romeo is its FWD (Front-Wheel Drive) architecture. Despite being equipped with a high-powered turbocharged Lancia engine, the car retains front-wheel drive. With 430 ch, the front axle must handle both steering and power delivery simultaneously. Initially, the shift in weight toward the rear tends to reduce the load on the driven wheels, which makes it considerably more difficult to maintain traction.
An Alfa Romeo That's More Than Just a Bit Player
The reported figures indicate a 300-meter time of 9.9 seconds in its class, with a claimed top speed of 185 km/h. That’s «under 10,» as Dominic Toretto would say, even though in Fast & Furious a quarter mile, or 400 meters.
The car isn’t just a technical curiosity. It also has a track record in Slovak drag racing events. Viliam Hospodár appears in the rankings of the Slovak Association of Drag Racing. His first victory came in 2024 at the Žilina Airport. In the PROFI category, Hospodár took the win in his turbocharged Alfa Romeo 156, ahead of Mário Polák in his rear-wheel-drive Opel Corsa and Przemyslaw Sochacki behind the wheel of a Pontiac Firebird Promod.
The 2025 season confirms this competitiveness. The Slovakia Ring hosts the Proteng Power Fest, the second round of the Slovakian championship. The event brings together 160 competitors from five countries and features, among other things, 304.8-meter sprint races. In the PROFI class, Viliam Hospodár claims another victory.
Carbon Everywhere
2025 also marks a particularly ambitious new milestone: the transition to a full-carbon body. The Instagram account has gradually revealed this transformation, with the original bodywork gradually giving way to a raw carbon-fiber body. LW Composites, a specialist in the field, is among the partners involved in this development. The goal is to replace various body components with carbon-fiber parts in order to reduce the car’s weight.
This dragster-style silhouette is particularly spectacular from the rear, with its enormous spoiler and various aerodynamic features. It feels as though the silhouette of the 156 SW station wagon has been fused with influences from the Alfa Romeo BAT of the 1960s, resulting in a sort of Milanese-style Batmobile. The modifications could involve the hood, fenders, doors, tailgate, and various exterior panels.
With its Lancia 2.0 16V Turbo engine, its claimed 430 HP, and its front-wheel-drive configuration, Viliam Hospodár’s Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon is a build that’s as unique as it is radical. Its evolution toward a full carbon-fiber body promises to make this machine even more spectacular.
English 
French 
Italian 
Spanish 
German 
Japanese 
Dutch