Test Drive Alfa Romeo 166 2003 - 2007 Sedan

Family character

Alfa Romeo brand has a completely special aura and always occupied an honorable place in the Fiatovsk family. Cuore Sportivo - Sports Spirit - Alfa Romeo motto. And the company's creation always corresponded to him ... Sergey Yakubov.
 

Alfa Romeo 166, who 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, to our country, the car looked only in the spring of this year.
 

This largest in the Alfa Romeo lineo model in the dimensions enters the segment of the European market. Her competitors here are famous - take at least the BMW of the 5th series or Audi A6. (Formally, in the ranks of rivals, it would be possible to put the Mercedes E-class, but I believe that it should not fight for this German, and a more conservative Lancia Kappa.)
 

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

 
Externally Alfa 166 and solid, and sports. Reminds the increased 156th model. But the surface of the body and curves formed by their intersections are smoother, impoverished. The sharp face is absent. It seems that the profile of the 166th is even a wedge-shaped than that of the 156th, it is accentuated by a concave surface along the whole sidewall. In addition, the concavity visually lengthens it. The rear is resolved in the same vein as all the latest Alfa Romeo models are two diagonal lamp on a simple and clean surface of the trunk cover.
 

The front seemed in an inexpressive, even dull - so small lights on the background of inflated wings and the hood. The license plate is in the usual place - in the center of the bumper under the Alfov triangle. Chrome door handles and moldings are reminded of class chalk. Dark brown metallic - not the most successful coloring option for such a beautiful and plastic body, some surfaces at first glance are not read. Silver metallic will come more ...
 

I have a red key chain in my hands (with the control of the central lock), the key shoots from pressing the button as a vykidnaya knife. The door closes almost independently, with solid deaf cotton. The salon is made in dark colors. Seats, elements of the inner door panels are trimmed with skin, the rest is made of plastic, successfully skin imitating. Stylistic hints take place on the 156th model: the same seating design with a characteristic longitudinal seat of pillows and backs, the same way to uphound doors with draped leather inserts. Looking around, you begin to notice some flaws as execution: uneven seam places, loosely adjacent panels, not the most successful upholstery material ...
 

The dashboard is made traditionally: the devices framed by chrome-plated rings are collected in a single unit, including temperature pointers and fuel levels that the 156th is put into the center of the Torpedo. An explicit sign of unification is the landslus of the jabrs round ventilation system deflectors, for the first time they appeared on the 33rd Alfa, and now apply on all Alfa Romeo models, some FIAT models and even on Maserati 3200 GT. Chrome rings are beautiful, but reflected in the side glasses on the background of the mirrors, which interferes somewhat.
 

The central panel is finished with plastic metal color. The center of attention is a large color multifunction screen, which is displayed on the operation of the ventilation system, the navigation system (if there is) and audio installations. The well-known Italian auto accessories manufacturer-Momo, which is telling the emblem on the head restraints to the salon decoration.
 

To fit the seat is simple, the benefit in the presence of adjustment in length, height and angle of inclination. The steering wheel is the optimal diameter and section, it is in Italian, the column and the slope can be changed. The driver's workplace is organized so that it is unwanted to take a position with a close to the back vertical - the most logical for the best sensation of the car.
 

The mechanical box lever is located highly and close to the steering wheel, which is very convenient with frequent shifts. It is nice to work - short clear switches. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe pedal node is close, but it seems to be preventing anything (if on the legs - winter shoes, problems may arise). At first it seems that efforts on pedals are too small - for a car with a sports character.
 

Despite the high subcast line and a deep landing, the visibility did not cause complaints, the dimensions are well felt. In general, the interior will not call spacious, with a long-width, however, everything is in order, but the reserve is height, especially behind, is insufficient. The rear row is for two, which is emphasized by the expressive relief of the seat (if desired, it is possible to plant and the third, but it will not survive for a long time). But still, the rear passengers took care of (including Cuore Sportivo) - individual illumination on the rear racks, ashtray in the doors, 12-volt sockets and ventilation system deflectors between the front seats, armrest and again only two head restraints. As for passive security, it is worth noting four pillows - in the hub steering wheel, in the front panel in front of the passenger and one in the front seats from the side of the racks ...
 

Open the trunk from the cabin managed not immediately - the lock of the lock is hidden in the glove compartment, which is locked with the key. There are two more ways: with a keychain (when the ignition is turned off) and directly the key. The lock, as usual, is hidden under the Alfa Romeo sliding emblem. The volume of the trunk was pleased - 500 liters (at the BMW of the 5th series - 460 l). Under the decorative floor there is a full-size reserve with a 16-inch cast disc and the necessary tool.
 

Normal for most modern cars Painting: The engine is covered with a plastic casing, which says it says that this is an engine. But at Alfa Romeo 166 went further - black plastic was closed and all the space around. On a dark background, silver motor simply shines. Very beautiful. Engine protection is not provided - only the casing against dirt.
 

Under the plastic - 2 liters atmospheric 16-valve TWIN SPARK motor with a capacity of 155 hp From the gasoline gamma, he is the smallest, there are 2.5 l (190 hp) and 3 l (226 hp) engines V6 and 2-liter turbocharging (205 hp), in addition There is 2.4 liters of Diesel COMMON Rail with a capacity of 136 hp.
 

Motor at idle virtually not heard, there are no vibrations. The grip is light, but quite informative. I'm talking, hardly stuck - the lack of torque on small revolutions, take into account.
 

Gas - to the floor. While the engine does not drop 3500-4000 rpm. But after the mark 4000 pleasantly presses in the seat - up to 7200 rpm, when the speed limit works. Very useful thing in this car: noise insulation is powerful, the engine is not heard, and sometimes you delay with switching. But in general (if you stand nearby), his sound caresses the hearing - on the average turnover of an angry yarring, and at high - pioneering singing.
 

Brakes - super! Driving a deceleration turned out not so simple - the drive is very sensitive, and the pedal move is small, so at first Alfa often kneaded her nose. However, we managed to get comfortably quickly, and the ease of pedals even started to like.
 

According to the controllability, Alfa Romeo is a dock, and model 166 - confirmation. The car is simple and understandable in communication. The sensitivity of the steering (from the stop until the stop is just over two revolutions) is successfully combined with its comfort at high speeds. At large angles, turning the steering wheel is a little lack of returning action.
 

It is especially pleasant to pass turns - and the faster, the more pleasant. Alfa conscientiously prescribes them even on poor-quality coverage. Rotary is close to neutral. At high speeds do not leave the feeling of flight, it is something.
 

In motion, the 166th provides the appropriate comfort of this class. It refers to small irregularities and joints is negligible - only the deaf sleepers of the tires are heard. On those that are larger, only elastic shoes are transmitted to the body. The suspension is enough energy intensity even on very bad roads, the breakdowns are not observed. At the same time, Alfa does not tire either a spawn on gentle waves, nor filling in turns.
 

Alfa Romeo 166 turned out to be a surprisingly balanced machine, in it harmoniously combined family sports and necessary respectability (class obliges!). And this applies to both running qualities and design. The 166th is designed for solid people who value their image that have the taste and not alien to some dying. Well, of course, for lovers of dynamic driving - this is a driver model.
 

An important moment is a big Alfa noticeably cheaper than many classmates. For example, close to it in the spirit of the top five in a similar configuration costs about $ 42.000, the difference is $ 14,000. There is something to think about. There would be more motor more powerful ...
 
 
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [№10 / 2000]