ALFA ROMEO 166 1998 test drive - 2003 sedan

Supernova in the constellation "Alpha"

Alfa-Romeo-166 Alfa-Romeo 166
The flagship of the lineup alpha -Romeo - model 166 is first represented this fall. The sedan is equipped with gasoline engines with a working volume of 2.0; 2.5; 3.0 liters and a 2.4-liter diesel engine with the fuel system Common Rail. Gearboxes - mechanical five- and six -speed and four -speed automatic with a manual gearbox of sportswalls.

In the traditions of Alfa Romeo, to observe corporate identity. And not only in the form of an original radiator cladding. Each next alpha seems to grow from his predecessor and at the same time united by stylistic solutions with contemporaries. One hundred and sixty -sixth is an example. It simultaneously resembles both the aged Alfa-164, and the younger in class 156. Although the new large alpha seems less extravagant than the 156th presented a year ago, this can hardly be recorded in a passive. A car of this class is added by some conservatism in appearance - a classic with a sort of flight of sports. The latter is necessarily, after all, alpha romeo.
As for the constructive features and equipment, there is no need to talk about conservatism here. We will start the story, as they say, from under the hood. The car is equipped with five types of engines. The smallest - four -cylinder two -liter gasoline engine Twin Spark - is well known for previous models. The next engine of the same working volume, but already a V-shaped six-cylinder, is equipped with a Garrett turbocharger. Its specific power exceeds 100 liters. with. from a liter of working volume. The magnitude of the maximum torque is also impressive, which is achieved at fairly low speeds. Two more gasoline units are twenty -four -tied six 2.5 and 3 liters. These motors are very similar in character, but later. And finally, a diesel with a turbocharged: a five -cylinder motor with an unrequited combustion chamber (direct injection) is equipped with a modern Skmon Rail fuel supply system. It is impressive primarily by efficiency, especially against the background of gasoline colleagues.
For a new car, three types of gearboxes are provided: two with manual switching - five- and six-speed, as well as a four-step automatic with the possibility of manual gear selection. Alpha has this system is called Sportronics.
Speaking about the equipment, we will not touch such banal things like servos of everything and all or, say, air conditioning. For a car of this class, the absence of something like is simply unthinkable. Naturally, Alpha has the whole set of driving systems: anti-lock brake system, anti-duct and fast-spreading system of stabilization, which, in the event of a drift, forcibly returns a car to a given trajectory.
On the central console - the display of the integrated control system. It can work as a route computer, navigation system, manage music and climate installation and even serve as a built-in mobile phone. It is possible to talk about useful and interesting ideas that have been implemented in Alpha, but it's better to try once ...
Salon One hundred and sixty-sixth, having pleased the stylish and (on some modifications) expensive finish, disappointed a slightly height, especially behind - a man above the average growth strives to resume the head in the ceiling. At the driver's seat, this is not so noticeable, but the high driver will not be able to raise the chair - the air above the head is still small. But the range of longitudinal adjustment is quite sufficient for the longest legs. The seat is quite comfortable, so using both steering adjustments - along the corner of the tilt and the length of the column, to equip the workplace on the figure is easy.
Review forward, despite the thick racks of the roof, no complaints caused, but the outer mirrors are too small.
Now on the road. In order not to fulfill the reader with a story about several cars, we will focus on the general features and the most striking differences in Alpha-166 variants. The suspension of each modification has its own characteristics. In a soft version, the machine is very comfortable and almost imperceptibly for passengers is painted with pavement defects, but more rigid shows a sporty character. Here the inhabitants of the cabin are feeling much more distinct.
For the asphalt, the car clings very confidently - at least drive around along the winding highway, I could not set an aliment. Yes, and not really wanted. First, excessive diligence in sports ride on the roads of general use is fraught with trouble, and secondly, at such a solid apparatus, it does not really want to exercise.
In my opinion, the image of such a means of transportation is as fully as possible to one of the two -liter engines - a six with a boost - the motor is a flame with a fairly even characteristic in the entire speed range. Two six larger volumes, as already mentioned, are very similar in character. Of course, the difference in power between 2.5 and 3 liters of engines is noticeable, but both of them begin to work truly only at high speeds.
The diesel on Alfa-Romeo was perceived with a considerable share of skepticism until the engine itself convinced the opposite. Slightly grimacing from the process of touching (it is not easy to do it in a way), I quickly realized that this engine combines truly diesel pain with not at all diesel briefness. The owners who have to spend money on fuel from their pockets will be pleased with the moderate fuel consumption, but everyone who drove in this car will be able to appreciate the low level of vibration and noise.
Among other materials in the press pack, prepared for the presentation, was the issue of the magazine Quadrofolio with a catchy heading the Great Alpha. Yes, among her fellow tribesmen, she is already great, at least in size. Whether Alfa-Romeo-166 will become a truly great car, time will tell. So far, the company's analysts predict that it should go as many as nine percent of the European market in its class of cars. There are a lot, especially if you consider that the rivals in the struggle for the buyer Alpha are more than serious.
 

Igor Solidov. Photo by Vladimir Knyazev and Alfa Romeo

Source: The magazine "Driving"