166 Gets A Nose For Success

Jono · 07-02-2003

Thursday 6th February 2003

166 Gets A Nose For Success

Exclusive images in the current issue of Auto Express magazine show Alfa has redesigned its slow-selling 166 flagship.

Big Alfas haven't enjoyed the same success as German rivals from the likes of BMW and Mercedes, but the 166 has also had to overcome its challenging styling. The front end, with its tiny V-shaped grille, has never been a big hit, so it's not surprising that the main change is to the nose, with a new family look borrowed from the smaller 147.

Every panel ahead of the windscreen is new to give the car a more attractive appearance without losing the distinctive style Alfa aficionados expect. A taller, wider grille gives a more balanced look, while larger headlamps take the place of the old model's droopy-eyed expression. At the rear, only a reshaped bump- er marks out the revised car. Production versions will also feature a whole new set of alloy wheel designs.

It's not only the styling that's been revamped. Increased competition has also forced Alfa to take a look at the engine line-up. Entry-level cars will now be powered by the new 2.0-litre JTS, which replaces the current 2.0 twin-spark and has far cleaner emissions

A tax-efficient 175bhp 2.4-litre JTD diesel will also be introduced to appeal to fleet buyers. Finally, flagship editions will now use the 220bhp 3.2-litre petrol V6 from the 156 GTA. Only the 2.5-litre V6 will remain unaltered. The revised engine range will also force a change to the gearboxes on offer. While entry-level cars will continue to use a five-speed manual, the bigger diesel and petrol variants will offer the semi-automatic Selespeed option for the first time.

The new model will be officially unveiled at the Geneva show next month, and will go on sale here from December. Prices are likely to be close to those of the current car, which starts at £20,570.

Tom Barnard

Source: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk

Banflu · 07-02-2003

and no pics frown

Jono · 07-02-2003

I guess they have to have something in the magazine in order to be able to sell it. I agree, disappointing isn't it! frown

Banflu · 07-02-2003

oops, you're right of course. never though of that!

Ivo · 07-02-2003

http://www.italiaspeed.com/news_2003...003_028_12.jpg

who's the man ? wink

Ivo · 07-02-2003

more here;

http://www.alfaowner.com/forum/cgi/u...;f=25;t=000395

Banflu · 07-02-2003

yuck?

Jono · 08-02-2003

Wow, it just looks wrong doesn't it?! I love the front of my 147 - I think it looks amazingly beautiful, but on a 147 not a 166!

Oh well.

Stef · 08-02-2003

The way I see it, the 147 front end is individual and conforms to the overall design of the body including the dimensions.

You simply can not just grab what you believe is beautiful designed front and stick it on a large saloon expecting the same result.

It just won't work.

Walter Da Silva where art thou?

Stori · 08-02-2003

Just imagine the gorgeous Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV if it had a Alfasud nose eek! eek! eek!

166 with 147 nose- now way

Jono · 08-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stef:
The way I see it, the 147 front end is individual and conforms to the overall design of the body including the dimensions.

You simply can not just grab what you believe is beautiful designed front and stick it on a large saloon expecting the same result.

It just won't work.

Walter Da Silva where art thou?<hr /></blockquote>Agree 100%! It (the front of the new 166) just seems all out of character with the rest of car...all I can see it doing is eroding sales, not increasing them. eek!

Unfortunately Walter Da Silva is playing with VW/Audi right now isn't he?

Jono

Stori · 08-02-2003

Yes Walter Da Silva went to SEAT and then To Audi, which is a real bugger frown

Banflu · 08-02-2003

the headlights are ugly arent they!

alfaholic · 08-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:
Yes Walter Da Silva went to SEAT and then To Audi, which is a real bugger

<hr /></blockquote>Is it? have you seen the latest Audis? He can stay there if thats what he's coming up with. eek!

Stori · 08-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Steve P:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Stori:
Yes Walter Da Silva went to SEAT and then To Audi, which is a real bugger

<hr /></blockquote>Is it? have you seen the latest Audis? He can stay there if thats what he's coming up with. eek! <hr /></blockquote>Well the latest Audi is in the tradition of Audi's. But it also would have been on the drawing bord before he came to them.
Also, do not forget Da Silva does not have final say as to what is put on the market.

09-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Banflu:
the headlights are ugly arent they!<hr /></blockquote>ladies & gentlemen....the new Alfa Omega

Veljko · 09-02-2003

The second pic looks plain nasty. Hope they don't correct "the current design mistake" with this. What's with this urge for it's nose to look like a 147?

Kendr · 09-02-2003

BTW. In buying the missus her new Stilo Dynamic on Friday. Dealer told me 157 will be out "definitely" next year. Although toward the end of the year, he reckoned.

LaTiNo · 09-02-2003

Dealers don't know much themselves. The pretend to know but they are mostly kept in the dark by AR.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Kendr:
BTW. In buying the missus her new Stilo Dynamic on Friday. Dealer told me 157 will be out "definitely" next year. Although toward the end of the year, he reckoned.