- Alfa Romeo 166
Infobox Automobile
name = Alfa Romeo 166
manufacturer =Alfa Romeo
parent_company =Fiat Group
production = 1998-2007
assembly = Rivalta plant,Turin ,Italy (1998-2002)Cite web|url=http://sec.edgar-online.com/2004/06/30/0001156973-04-000784/section4.asp|title=FIAT S P A Filing Date:6/30/2004|accessdate=2007-08-04|work=sec.edgar-online.com]
Comprensorio di Mirafiori,Turin ,Italy
body_style = 4-door sedan
class =Executive car
layout =FF layout
engine = Petrol:Diesel:- 2.4 L "JTD" (LHD only)
transmission= 5 and 6-speed manual
4-speed automatic5-speed automaticAisin AW 50-5ECT-i
wheelbase = 2720 mm (107 in.)
length = 4720 mm (185.8 in.)
width = 1810 mm (71.2 in.)
height = 1416 mm (55.7 in.)
front_track = 1554 mm (61.1 in.)
rear_track =
1542 mm (60.7 in.)
weight = 1420-1510 kg (3130-3328 lb)
predecessor =Alfa Romeo 164
successor =Alfa Romeo 169
similar =Lexus GS Peugeot 607 Volvo S80 Saab 9-5
fuel_capacity = Convert|69|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on-Convert|72|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on
designer = Centro Stile Alfa RomeoThe Alfa Romeo 166 is an
executive car produced by the Italianautomaker Alfa Romeo between 1998 and 2007.The car was designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo under the control of
Walter de'Silva , and was facelifted in 2003.The 166 was the replacement for the
Alfa Romeo 164 , and although the 164 had styling that was far from orthodox, the 166 with its drooping headlamps and pointed nose still raised many eyebrows. The styling was very much in keeping with Alfa's corporate style of the time, which had begun with the smaller 156 model.The car was initially available with a 2.0-litre Twin Spark engine (155 PS), a 2.5 V6 (190 PS), a 3.0 V6 (226 PS) unit or a V6 2.0 Turbo (205 PS). Diesel engines were an L5 2.4 10v
common rail turbodiesel version with 136, 140 and 150 PS output, praised for its refinement. The TS model used a 5-speed manual gearbox, whilst the 2.5 and 3.0 had the option of a Sportronic automatic. The 3.0 V6, L5 2.4 and V6 Turbo were otherwise supplied with a six-speed manual gearbox.The top models were named "Super" and included MOMO leather interior, 17" alloy wheels, rain sensitive wipers,
cruise control , climate control and ICS (Integrated Control System) with colour screen. Options included xenon headlamps,GSM connectivity andsatellite navigation . Suspension systems comprised double wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup for the rear.The 166 underwent a substantial revamp in 2003. As well as upgrades to the chassis, interior, and the engine range, the styling was substantially altered. The new front end resembled the also recently revamped 156, and lost its famous drooping headlights. The 2.0 V6 Turbo model was dropped because of marketing problems, the V6 2.5 was re-rated at 188 PS and a 3.2 litre V6 (240 PS) was introduced. Both the new 3.2 litre and the 2.0 Twin Spark models now featured the six-speed manual gearbox, whilst the 3.0 model was retained but made available only in Sportronic form. In the diesel sector, the L5 2.4 was re-engineered with Multi-Jet technology which allows up to 5 injections per cycle, second stage
common rail with maximum injection pressure of 1400bar and 4 valves per cylinder to output a class leading 175 PS.Though the car's handling characteristics, engine range and elegant exterior design received praise from many, including
Jeremy Clarkson , it did not become a strong seller to rival the dominant German brands in theEurope an executive car sector.The Alfa Romeo 166 was withdrawn from sale in
right-hand drive markets in October 2005. Sales of the 166 never grew as Alfa had hoped following the 2003 facelift, and the additional lack of a diesel engine in the UK, Australian, and Irish markets limited its reach into company car sectors.Engines
1. Generation
References
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