October 2001: Alfa Romeo is resurrecting the GTA name for 156 and Sportwagon models.

The cars feature a new 3.2-litre V6 engine, new suspension settings and geometry, more powerful brakes and the option of Selespeed transmission.

In the flesh, the 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA look wider and lower than the standard 156, as befits cars equipped with a 250bhp engine.

Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo has also announced a return to the United States in 2004/05. It has yet to reveal who will distribute or retail the cars, although it is likely to work closely with its part shareholder General Motors.