ALFA Romeo test drive 166 2003 - 2007 sedan

Family character

The Alfa Romeo brand has a very special aura and always occupied a place of honor in the Fiat family. Cuore Sportivo - Sports Spirit - Alfa Romeo motto. And the creations of the company always corresponded to him ... Sergey Yakubov.
 

Alfa Romeo 166, which replaced the former flagship of the company-the 164th model, was first shown to the public in September 1998. Sales began at the end of the 99th, the car reached our country only in the spring of this year.
 

This is the largest in the ALFA Romeo lineup model in the dimensions of the European market segment. Her competitors are eminent here - take at least the BMW of the 5th series or Audi A6. (Formally, the ranks of rivals could also be put by Mercedes E-class, but Fiat believes that not Alfa 166, but a more conservative Lancia Kappa.)
 

Alfa Romeo 166 has been in the development of more than three years and was supposed to be born earlier than the 156th - back in 1996. However, the predecessor, Alfa Romeo 164, was still sold well - unlike the 155th. And the company's management decided to first replace the 155th model, and still work on the 166th. The decision turned out to be correct, evidence of this is the title of 1998 car assigned to the Alfa Romeo 156 at the Geneva Motor Show is not a fact that the 166th could get it.

 
Outwardly, Alfa 166 is both solid and sports. It resembles an enlarged 156th model. But the surface of the body and the curves formed by their intersections are more smooth, imposing. Sharp faces are absent. It seems that the profile of the 166th is even more edema than that of the 156th, this is emphasized by a concave surface along the entire sidewall. In addition, its concave visually lengthens. The backbone is solved in the same vein as all the latest Alfa Romeo models - two slanting lanterns on the simple and clean surface of the trunk cover.
 

The front of it seemed inexpressive, even dull - the fault of this is small headlights against the background of inflated wings and hood. The license plate in the usual place is in the center of the bumper under the Alpha triangle. Chrome -made doors and moldings recall the class belonging of a car. Dark brown metallic is not the most successful color option for such a beautiful and plastic body, some surfaces are not read at first glance. Silver metallic would come more ...
 

I have a red keychain in my hands (with the control of the central lock), the key shoots from pressing the button, like a stroke knife. The door closes almost independently, with a solid deaf cotton. The salon is made in dark colors. The seats, the elements of the inner panels of the doors are sheathed with the skin, the rest is made of plastic, which is successfully imitating. There are stylistic hints on the 156th model: the same seats design with a characteristic longitudinal stitching of pillows and backs, the same solution to the upholstery of doors with draped leather inserts. Having looked closely, you begin to notice some flaws as execution: uneven seams, not adjacent panels, not the most successful material of the upholstery of the racks ...
 

The dashboard is traditionally made: the devices framed by chrome rings are assembled in a single block, including the temperature indicators and fuel levels, which were submitted to the center of the torpedo at the 156th. A clear sign of unification is a round deflectors of the ventilation system similar to gills, they first appeared on the 33rd Alfa, and are now used on all Alfa Romeo models, some Fiat models and even Maserati 3200 GT. The chrome rings are beautiful, but are reflected in the side glass against the background of mirrors, which is somewhat interfered.
 

The central panel is trimmed with metal plastic. The focus is a large multifunctional screen, which displays information about the operation of the ventilation system, the navigation system (if any) and audio installations. The well -known Italian manufacturer of auto -Avo -Aviations - MOMO, which the emblem on the headrests, was attached to the interior decoration.
 

It was not difficult to adjust the seat, the benefit of adjustment in length, height and angle of inclination. The steering wheel is the optimal diameter and cross -section, in Italian littered with the horizontal, the length of the column and the slope can be changed. The driver’s workplace is organized so that you involuntarily occupy a position with your back close to the vertical - the most logical for the better sensation of the car.
 

The lever of the mechanical box is located in sports high and close to the steering wheel, which is very convenient with frequent shifts. They are pleased to work - short understandable switching. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe pedal node it is cramped, but it seems that nothing interferes (if there are winter shoes on the legs, problems may arise). At first, it seems that the efforts on the pedals are too small - for a car with a sports character.
 

Despite the high window sill and deep landing, sightedness did not cause complaints, the dimensions are felt well. In general, you can’t call the salon spacious, with a length of shirina, however, everything is in order, but the reserve is in height, especially from behind, insufficient. The back row is for two, which is emphasized by the expressive relief of the seat (if desired, you can plant the third, but it will not sit for a long time). But still, they took care of the rear passengers (taking into account Cuore Sportivo)-individual backlight on the rear racks, ashtrays in the doors, a 12-volt outlet and deflectors of the ventilation system between the front seats, an armrest and again only two head rests. As for passive safety, it is worth noting four pillows - in the hub of the steering wheel, in the front panel in front of the passenger and one in the front seats from the side of the racks ...
 

It was not possible to open the trunk from the cabin immediately - the castle’s drive is hidden in the glove compartment, which is locked with a key. There are two more methods of opening: from the keychain (with the ignition turned off) and directly with the key. The castle, as usual, is hidden under the sliding proprietary emblem of Alfa Romeo. The volume of the trunk was pleased - 500 liters (BMW 5th series - 460 l). Under the decorative floor there is a full-size reserve with a 16-inch cast disc and the necessary tool.
 

The usual picture for most modern cars: the engine is covered with a plastic casing on which it is written what kind of engine it is. But on Alfa Romeo 166 they went further - they closed with black plastic and the whole space around. On a dark background, a silver motor just shines. Very beautiful. Engine protection is not provided - only a casing against dirt.
 

Under plastic - 2 l atmospheric 16 -valve engine Twin Spark with a capacity of 155 hp. From the gasoline gamut it is the smallest, there is another 2.5 liters (190 hp) and 3 l (226 hp) V6 engines and 2 -liter with turbocharged (205 hp), in addition, 2.4 l of the Common Rail diesel is provided with a capacity of 136 hp.
 

The motor at idle is practically not heard, there are no vibrations. The clutch is light, but quite informative. I touch, almost stalled - a shortage of torque at low speeds, we will take into account.
 

Gas - on the floor. Until the engine takes 3500-4000 about/min., The dynamics of acceleration is not impressive: after all, one and a half tons of dry weight for two liters is a lot. But after the 4000 mark, it pleasantly presses in the seat - up to 7200 rpm, when the revolutionary limiter is triggered. A very useful thing in this car: the sound insulation is powerful, the engine is not heard, and sometimes you delay with switching. But in general (if you are standing nearby), his sound caresses his hearing - at medium speeds angry with angry rumbling, and at high - thoroughbred singing.
 

The brakes are super! It was not so simple to control the slowdown - the drive is very sensitive, and the pedal move is small, so at first Alfa often pecked with her nose. However, it was possible to get used to braking quickly enough, and the lightness of the pedal even began to like.
 

In terms of controllability, Alfa Romeo is a dock, and model 166 is confirmation of this. The car is simple and understandable in communication. The sensitivity of the steering (from the stop to the stops of a little more than two revolutions) is successfully combined with its comfort at high speeds. At large angles of rotation of the steering wheel, there is slightly lacking a returning action.
 

It is especially pleasant to pass turns - and the faster, the nicer. Alfa conscientiously prescribes them even on a poor -quality coating. The rotation is close to neutral. At high speeds, the feeling of flight does not leave, this is something.
 

In motion, the 166th provides a comfortable machine for the machine of this class. It refers to minor irregularities and joints - only deaf slap of tires are heard. On those that are larger, only elastic shocks are transmitted to the body. The suspension is enough energy intensity even on very bad roads, not noticed. At the same time, ALFA does not tire either by buildup on gentle waves, nor with fervor in corners.
 

Alfa Romeo 166 turned out to be an amazingly balanced machine, it harmoniously combines family sports and necessary respectability (class obliges!). And this applies to both running qualities and design. The 166th is intended for solid people who appreciate their image, having taste and not alien to some diet. And, of course, for lovers of dynamic driving is a driver model.
 

An important point is a large ALFA noticeably cheaper than many classmates. For example, the five close in spirit in a similar configuration costs about $ 42,000, the difference is $ 14,000. There is something to think about. There would have been more powerful motor ...
 
 
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 10/2000]