New Alfa Sportwagon in tune with la dolce vita

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

An aristocratic German called Count Erwein Graf Matuschka-Greiffenclau runs the Schloss Vollrad 700-year-old wine business on the banks of the Rhine River, north of Frankfurt.

He's an entertaining fellow in his 50s and likes to chat over a choice of rieslings about the world's economy, the wine market, racing cars, being arrested by a police helicopter for speeding in France, and why the founder of the McDonald's fast-food chain killed the art of dinner conversation.

That's why Matuschka, as he is called by his friends, insists on sitting down to breakfast and dinner with his wife and two children each day. No pyjamas and dressing gowns under his roof at 7.30 am. Everyone is dressed, ready for the day. At night, everyone changes for dinner. Smart casual: jackets for the blokes, dresses for the women. Lots of time, lots of courses, lots of talk - that's what he likes.

It's tradition, see. His father did it that way. So did his grandfather. They would have told the McDonald's man the same thing.

Matuschka wasn't keen on cupholders in cars, either. Drinking coffee and tea in Europe is a serious business. It should be taken not at the wheel of a car but at a table where people can talk, gesture, argue, swap seats even.

The latest offering from Alfa Romeo, the 156 Sportwagon, would no doubt please Matuschka - because there is not a cupholder in sight. The Italian carmaker has gone against modern rules, against design trends.

Every carmaker you care to name includes cupholders. But, no, not Alfa Romeo. You want a drink, you stop for it, away from the wheel, where you can relax, splash water on your face, nibble on a sandwich, stretch and talk a bit: la dolce vita, the sweet life.

The 156 Sportwagon was unveiled in Auckland 48 hours ago. It is available in three front-wheel-drive models: the Twin Spark 2-litre five-speed manual at $59,997, the 2.5-litre V6 six-speed manual at $68,997, and the 2.5-litre Q system, a sequential manual at $72,997.

"The arrival of the Sportwagon has provided us with the opportunity to take a fresh look at our whole range and examine how we can make it even more appealing," said Richelle Ashman, Alfa Romeo brand manager for the importers, Azzurra Motor Group.

The "fresh look" includes free upgrades in the 156 model range, from a sedan to a Sportwagon, from manual to a sequential manual, from cloth to leather. Basically, Alfa Romeo wants more buyers through its doors.

"We expect to win customers from other wagon owners who are tired of their performance and styling compromises," said Ashman.

"And because the Sportwagon is so strongly styled, we are confident we will also attract sportscar and coupe owners who like driving dynamics but need the added flexibility of the Sportwagon.

"For the same reason, we believe the Sportwagon will win customers from saloons. They have been shy of wagons because they felt the image was wrong for them."

But the question could be asked: When is a wagon not a wagon? Answer: When it is an Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon. The new model could be a hatchback, even a coupe, because of the way it is designed.

It is based on the 156 sedan. But rather than add on a wagon-type load space behind the rear passenger seat, or the C pillar, Alfa Romeo started it from behind the driver's seat, or B pillar, and hinged the rear door 30cm into the roofline.

So while the rear door and window appears shallow when closed, it opens to a deceptively large aperture, although the load space on the floor is modest and cramped by rear suspension strut towers.

Nevertheless, the Sportwagon is just as inviting to drive as the sedan. It is Alfa Romeo at its best, playing on its badge and sporting heritage. It has grip and poise, strong brakes, sharp rack and pinion steering and a good ride.

Standard equipment includes climate control air-conditioning, a single-disc CD in the Clarion stereo and remote central locking. In the rear, there is a luggage cover and a net to contain groceries, for example. There is also a 12-volt power socket and lockers on each side. Safety items run to four airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes.

The 2-litre four-cylinder engine develops 114kW at 6400 rpm and 187Nm of pulling power at 3500 rpm. The 2.5-litre V6 produces 140kW and 222Nm. The 2-litre gets from zero to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, the manual six-speed V6 in 7.4 and the Q system sequential in 8.5.

"It's a unique car," said Ashman. "It retains the style, performance and image that has given Alfa Romeo a special place in the motor industry. It offers the versatility of a rear hatch, the performance and handling of a sports saloon, and the styling of a coupe."

Think of it as more a hatchback than a wagon. Don't volunteer to take half the junior footy team to Saturday's game. Stick with the halftime oranges, a ball or two and the water bottle. Remember, it's a lifestyle vehicle blending performance with a dose of practicality. And it is different.