the alfa romeo 156 is a car produced by alfa romeo. it replaced the alfa romeo 155 in late 1997 and was replaced by the alfa romeo 159 in late 2005. the sportwagon was added in 2000 and received a new dashboard in 2002. the exterior was facelifted in 2003. it was the first car to feature hidden rear door handles, a design feature first seen on the nissan pathfinder suv, an idea which has since been copied by other brands.