It reminded me of all the hard work I've done...

Trying to give this car back to life...

This looks like the one I have in my old GT2 video game, back when my sort of antique was a PSOne. Although I have to be honest that this is the Alfa Romeo 155, the one that is famous for being a touring car years ago. You'd never know that all that glory came to this car is what made the Alfa 155 special even though it was just a replacement of the Alfa 75.

While the V6 TI racer was been in some museum, the old 155 sedan was left to rot until Forza Motorsport 4 rediscovered this car via the ALMS Car Pack and now, I decided to give this car one final mission.

Back at the fast lane

I'd never realize that I got the chance to drive this car again. This takes me all back to my childhood memories. The Tahiti, the sunset, Rome, Seattle, the ovals, everything. That takes me all back. Anyway, the car...

The 155 served as the replacement to the Alfa Romeo 75 and despite it has more dimensions than the 75, the 75's rear wheel drive system has been ditched in favor of front wheel drive system because of cost cutting issues. That seems to be odd but this FF layout, according to Alfa fans, spoiled the sporting pedigree of the Alfa Romeo brand.

This car tries to show its racing pedigree

There it is again, a normal family saloon car!

That seems to be odd but aside from the FF layout, Alfa Romeo did offered a Q4 variant, which comes with the 4WD layout derived from the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale, the one that won six WRC races in the trot. Under the hood lies a turbocharged 2.0L engine that produces 137 kW (190 PS) of power and 291 N·m of torque. It can go 0-60 in 7 seconds and top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph).

When I handle the 155 Q4, the grip makes it feel like I'm driving a Lancia Delta Integrale in so many ways and it's just so easy to drive so you don't need to worry about messing around with the steering because the 155's handling understands what you're saying. What I'm looking now is a Delta Integrale in Alfa Romeo's notchback clothing and I was very impressed with it. There is always a reminder that you can't be a true petrolhead without driving an Alfa Romeo and we all kinda stick to it, even in Forza Motorsport 4.

Just like old days....

Despite tarnished reputation, the 155 joined numerous touring car challenges to further enhanced its reputation via the the Supertouring-homologated GTA and the V6 TI for the DTM. Between 1992 and 1994, the 155 managed to take the Italian Superturismo championship, the German DTM championship (both with Nicola Larini at the wheel), the Spanish Touring Car Championship (with Adrián Campos), and the British Touring Car Championship (with Gabriele Tarquini). The most iconic was the 155 V6 TI because it has a record of 38 wins (plus 3 other non championship races). The victories were obtained by seven different drivers: 17 (+1) Nicola Larini, 13 (+1) Alessandro Nannini, 2 Stefano Modena, 2 (+1) Christian Danner, 2 Michael Bartels, 1 Kris Nissen and 1 Gabriele Tarquini.

That sounds convincing but I want to give the normal 155 the honor it has to be deserved just like the 155 V6 TI racer. I want to give this to The Stig...

...and across the line!

There we are, the Alfa Romeo 155 has the recognition it deserved and my car did it in...1:33.029, not bad for a car that gained a 38 win record to enhance its image that was tarnished because of its FF layout that was disliked by most fans because they still prefer the 75 over its FR layout. The unsung hero finally got the recognition it deserved...

Honorable mentioned by Top Gear