At the Nürburgring, the most admired cars are often the most powerful. Porsche GT3s, BMW Ms, Mercedes AMGs, and supercars from around the world usually steal the show. Yet, a simple Alfa Romeo 156 Despite being more than twenty years old and equipped with a modest 150 ch naturally aspirated engine, it managed to steal the show from far more prestigious cars.
So much so that the famous YouTuber Misha Charoudin—who is used to driving some of the fastest cars on the Nordschleife—exclaimed after several laps: «What a car. What a chassis.»
An Alfa Romeo 156 that has the entire Nürburgring buzzing
For several months now, this red Alfa Romeo 156 has been a regular sight at Vulcan Alpha, an Alfa Romeo specialist located near the Nürburgring. Subscribers to Misha Charoudin’s channel would often see it in the background without really knowing what it was hiding.
When he finally gets behind the wheel, the driver discovers a very unique sedan belonging to mechanic Andrea Gatti. Far from being heavily modified, the philosophy is simple: preserve the original mechanics while fine-tuning the weight, suspension, and geometry.
Under the hood is the famous 2.0 Twin Spark four-cylinder engine, which comes as standard on nearly all models. With its eight spark plugs, distinctive sound, and approximately 150 ch, it’s a far cry from the power levels typically seen on German racetracks.
The secret isn't under the hood
Andrea Gatti is completely open about it: power isn't his priority. For him, the 156's true strength lies in its chassis.
The Alfa Romeo features a double-wishbone suspension up front and a multi-link rear suspension—a particularly sophisticated setup for a family sedan from the late 1990s. The owner explains that he completely overhauled the suspension system, installing KW coil-over kits, ball joints on all suspension arms, and a limited-slip differential. The transmission, shortened using parts from a Alfa Romeo 147, also helps get the most out of the naturally aspirated engine.
Andrea’s other obsession is weight. The interior has been largely stripped down, the air conditioning removed, and many components made lighter. The car now weighs about 1,080 kg, with a clear goal: to drop below the 1,000 kg mark.
Three tours that leave a lasting impression
Once on the track, the magic happens right away. Misha Charoudin discovers a car that’s incredibly responsive, with a nimble rear end and exceptionally precise handling. From the very first turns, he’s impressed by the car’s balance.
Chance then presented him with the perfect opponent: a radically modified Mazda MX-5, nicknamed «Miata From Hell.» The two cars then went head-to-head for several laps around the Nordschleife in a battle as spectacular as it was unlikely. Despite its power deficit, the Alfa Romeo stays in the running thanks to its chassis and light weight. The driver even admits that all it would take is about fifteen additional chevaux to achieve perfection.
In the end, his verdict is final: he considers this Alfa Romeo 156 to be one of the cars with the best handling he has ever driven on the Nürburgring. It just goes to show that 150 ch, a featherweight design, and an excellent chassis are enough to leave a lasting impression.
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Aaah, TwinSpark 🥰