The Alfa Romeo 166 is a comfortable front-wheel-drive sports-class sedan of the highest middle class with a transverse engine, the successor to the model 164. The model’s 166 premiere took place in the autumn of 1998. Designed by Alfa Romeo Centro Stile under the supervision of chief designer Walter De Silva. The exterior design of the car is made in the same style as the Alfa Romeo 156 - the back of the car almost completely copies that of the 156 model. However, the Alfa Romeo 166 is much larger, the front end of the body is lowered, which gives the car a sporty image.
Also stand out large vyshtampovki on the right and left sides of the body, and a modified solution of the front end - the company triangle - is adjacent to the "wings" of the false trim, complementary to the headlights. The dimensions of the body remained almost the same as those of the predecessor - Alfa 164 - length 4.7 m., Width - 1.8 m. The interior is made in the traditional corporate style: a spacious lounge, adjustable sports seats, instrument panel with round analog dials. Three trim options are offered: elegant - in warm beige shades; sporty - in dark gray and black tones; Classic - with a predominance of light gray colors.
You can also order a leather interior, made in red or blue. Blue style is designed exclusively for the top versions - Super - 2.0 V6 turbo and 3.0 V6 24V with manual transmission. The onboard electronic systems are controlled by ICS - under its control - climate control, trip computer, audio system, GSM radio telephone, satellite navigation system. The internal structure of the car is also very similar to the Alfa 156.
Two gasoline power units with a working volume of 2.0 and 2.5 liters, as well as the 2.4-liter diesel engine Alfa Romeo 166 borrowed from the younger brother. The diesel unit has a new Unijet direct injection system with electronic controls, which was created jointly by FIAT and Robert Bosch Gmbh. From Lancia Kappa car got a 3-liter 6-cylinder gasoline engine with a V-shaped arrangement of cylinders. Its working capacity is 226 hp, it is the flagship of the motorization program.
By inheritance from the 164 got another V6 working volume of 3 liters with four valves per cylinder. Its 207 hp enough to accelerate to the "hundred" in 8 seconds. The ceiling speed is electronically limited to 240 km / h. On sports car modifications installed manual gearbox and stiffer suspension; for lovers of comfort, versions with automatic transmission and suspension are available with an increased spring compression course with reduced stiffness. All motors as standard are paired with 5 or 6-speed manual gearboxes. At the request of the client, the company can install the Sporttronic 5-band "automatic".
This semi-automatic transmission allows you to switch gears both manually and work in automatic mode, when all functions are performed by electronics, adapting to the style of control of the driver. Each type of gearbox has its own suspension characteristics. The manual gearbox is noiseless, precise and easy to drive.
The 5-speed versions of the gearbox are mounted on the 2.0 TS and 2.5 V6 engines. The 6-speed transmission with the 6th power transmission is equipped with 2.0 V6 24V and 2.4 JTD, which improves the handling and sportiness of these engines. The 2.4 JTD can be fitted with a gearbox with an economical "overdrive" transmission, which also improves the controllability and economy of the engine. 2 atmospheric versions of V6 engines equipped with an electronic automatic transmission Sportronic are capable of operating in sequential (sequential) manual mode - the driver can, at will, turn on the gears sequentially, up or down, by pulsing the lever from himself or to himself.
At achievement by the engine of the maximum turns there is an automatic transfer switching upwards. In addition, Spotronic, in automatic mode D, after analyzing many different parameters, can adapt to the style of the driver and road conditions, automatically selecting the appropriate gear. Safety of the driver and passengers provide two front and two side airbags, front seat belts with pretensioning, as well as a fire extinguishing system.
The car is equipped with ABS with a sensor and with an active brake force distributor; ASR system - anti-slip regulator; TCS - traction control system; by the STR system, which is turned on by means of the STR button at the gearshift lever, after which the setting of the electronic gas pedal is changed and the car begins to respond more sharply to the accelerator. According to the European classification, Alfa 166 belongs to cars of category E. This category also includes Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Mercedes E-class, Peugeot 605, etc. In 2003, the premiere of the updated generation Alfa Romeo 166 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Major changes in the front of the body, the design of which is now made in the style of the younger model Alfa Romeo 156, which gives the large sedan a more aggressive and sporty look. Not the last role in the creation of the new image of Alfa Romeo 166 is played by the characteristic vyshtampovki on the hood of the car, as well as powerful air intakes in the front bumper. In general, the appearance of the new product compares favorably with the faceless image of the previous generation of this model. In addition to the exterior, the internal filling of the car also underwent some changes.
So, the Alfa Romeo 166 suspension has been slightly modified, and the engine set will be somewhat different. Thus, the basic 2-liter TwinSpark engine will give way to a new two-liter engine with a direct fuel injection system. From the previous model, the 175-strong turbodiesel engine will remain, as well as the 2.5-liter petrol V6.
The top version of the new model will be equipped with a 3.2-liter 250-horsepower V6 engine from the “charged” modifications of the Alfa Romeo 156 and 147. Sometime later, the Alfa Romeo 166 line will have its own “charged” modification 166GTA, which will be equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 power is already 300 horsepower. This car, according to tradition, will receive the name of Alfa Romeo 166GTA, but, unlike similar versions of models 147 and 156 will receive a more powerful engine. Under the hood, at the fastest Alfa Romeo 166, there will be a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine, first introduced on the experimental version of the Alfa Romeo 156GTAm at the Bologna auto show.
In addition, the car will receive a modernized suspension, tuned to a sporty driving style, as well as some changes in appearance, and a new trim. Besides, it is possible that the novelty will be equipped with a system of all-wheel drive. The Italian company Alfa Romeo is already starting to create a completely new generation of sedan Alfa Romeo 166, which according to tradition will receive a new digital designation, and will bear the name Alfa Romeo 168. The appearance of this car is planned, according to preliminary information, for 2006. Perhaps the main innovation of the future will be the rear wheel drive chassis, borrowed from the luxury sedan Maserati Quattroporte.
Another feature of the Alfa Romeo 168, according to the publication AutoExpress, can be a thruster rear suspension. Its peculiarity is that the wheels of the rear axle will be controlled by electronics and will be able to turn at a small angle, and it is planned to use this feature to stabilize the car in the event of a skid, as well as to increase the stability of the rear wheel drive sedan in the corners.
