Introducing the 166
The 166 is a superb executive car - you must read on!

New executive saloon combines Alfa Romeo performance with luxury

The all-new Alfa Romeo 166 went on sale in the UK providing the market with a unique executive saloon that combines the Alfa Romeo reputation for performance, driving exhilaration and style, in a large luxury saloon.

Its powered by a new version of the legendary Alfa Romeo 3.0 litre quad cam V6 engine producing – appropriately – 166 kW, matched to a new Sportronic automatic/sequential manual gearbox. With the superlative performance, handling and road holding expected of an Alfa Romeo, the Alfa 166 adds a spacious luxuriously equipped saloon, complementing the Alfa 156 sports sedan launched early this year and the two Alfa Romeo sports cars, the GTV and Spider.

The Alfa Romeo 166 offers something new and different which will target individualistic car buyers who place an emphasis on performance and style, and want a car that is involving and distinct.

The Alfa 166’s performance and style are complemented by a equipment package that is unusually comprehensive.

Seats, mirrors and windows are all power operated, with the mirrors and seats also heated. A computer screen in the centre of the dashboard controls the climate control air conditioning, trip computer and the eight speaker stereo system with both cassette and CD stacker.

The remote control keyless central locking includes an alarm and engine immobiliser. The interior is fully trimmed in hand crafted Momo leather, rear sun blinds with front adjustable and rear headrests. Safety features abound, including windscreen wipers that detect rain and turn on automatically, front and side airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), fatigue-busting cruise control and front and rear fog lights.

The Alfa Romeo 166 is supported by the AlfaCare programme that includes a three year/60,000 mile full vehicle warranty, 24 hour roadside assistance and six years protection against corrosion.

The arrival of the Alfa 166, the Alfa Romeo range seems complete, with sustained demand for the 156 continuing to out pace supply, the Alfa sports cars are continuing to find new homes at an increasing rate.

Alfa Romeo in Australia: The first 12 months completed by the Alfa 166

The 166 will also conclude the phase of overall range renewal that began in 1994 and the re-launch of Alfa Romeo that started with the Spider and GTV. Its appearance and comfort features that Alfa’s designers have managed to pack into it with great precision.

The result is a stylish car that displays all the good looks with which the Alfa Romeo Style Centre customarily cloaks its handsome engines. This car’s winning card is its personality: a combination of heritage and character.

Its heritage allows it to compete on equal terms with the best cars offered by the competition within this élite market. The result is a model with sufficient image and substance to satisfy a highly demanding class of driver.

Its character allows it to distinguish itself among other thoroughbreds and offer something extra: typically Alfa Romeo. This will be a favourite feature of those who appreciate the fact that a great prestige saloon is capable of offering driving satisfaction too – those who will be glad to discover that the Alfa 156’s big ‘brother’ shares all the former’s award-winning power and sporty feel.

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Pleasure for the driver - comfort for the passengers

The suspension ensures absolute car control in all situations. A host of electronic features allows the driver to enjoy the great performances that all Alfa 166 versions offer, in absolute safety such as ABS with electronic brake distribution.

But this is not all. Alfa Romeo believes that a flagship like the 166 should also be designed to please passengers. The new model immediately reveals itself to be a very pleasing car to ride in, either as driver or passenger on short trips or long motorway journeys.


Enjoyable environments are enhanced by the advanced climate control system, excellent sound-proofing and comfortable, efficient suspension.

Sophisticated technology is incorporated to make life simpler: an efficient electronic interface, cruise control useful when driving on the motorway, a “smart” radio able to adjust its volume level to the surroundings - and an optional satellite navigation system that suggests the best route to the required destination.

The result is a great saloon able to give its best under a wide variety of different situations. The car’s most outstanding attribute is probably its ability to achieve a balance between comfort, performance, safety and style.
 
An Authoratative Sedan
The high-ranking Alfa 166 confirms its personality on the open road. Because it offers all the comfort and refinement you expect of a flagship. Because its standards of road holding and handling are everything you expect from an Alfa Romeo. Distinctive features it shares with other Alfas include reduced roll, advanced rear suspension geometry for sure-footed behaviour on corners and smooth and accurate steering.

The Alfa 166 is particularly easy to drive because it allows itself to be controlled so easily by the driver. The car drives so well due to very responsive steering. The secret of this performance lies in a sophisticated mechanical layout.The suspension, for example, combines a double wishbone configuration at the front with a new multi-link system at the rear. From a technical viewpoint, this means that the front tyres always work optimally in relation to the road, with uniform specific pressure over the tyre contact patch. This kind of behaviour is naturally important for active safety reasons. When it needs to avoid a sudden obstacle, the Alfa Romeo 166 makes the most of its attributes during the two most crucial stages of the manoeuvre: the beginning and the end. At the beginning, it responds swiftly (due to the front suspension layout) and offers maximum lateral grip. At the end, it realigns itself smoothly and instinctively. Small passive steering movements imposed by the rear suspension facilitate this action. The car can also call on a braking system that would be more at home - in terms of structure, size and materials - on a high-powered sports car than a model in the Alfa 166’s segment.

It is easy to imagine how much driving pleasure enthusiasts will gain from a car able to exploit its truly outstanding suspension response to the full. The front suspension configuration makes the car’s behaviour neutral on corners, with hardly any understeer, and ensures the car goes exactly where the driver wants it. The rear suspension steers the rear wheels slightly to follow any manoeuvre smoothly and progressively.

The advantages are immediately apparent when the car is cornered at speed. The Alfa 166 completes the first part of the trajectory with all the precision of a front wheel drive car. When the accelerator is released slightly half way round the bend, the car ‘tightens’ its line to complete the bend with a touch of oversteer. At this point, all that remains is to accelerate out of the bend for the car to line up again with smooth immediacy.

The Alfa 166’s agility is obvious straight away to anyone who drives it over a mixed-fast route. The car’s responses are so immediate, gentle and smooth (without lag, roll or two-stage reactions) that the overall impression is of a much more compact car.
 
Key Attributes of the Alfa 166
Solid and imposing, but also nimble and ready for action, the Alfa 166 is outstanding for its smooth, uncluttered and appealing style.

The Alfa 166’s family resemblance to other models in the Alfa Romeo range is obvious, as is its link to its glorious past. Tradition has been revised and reinterpreted in the light of current taste and awareness, but the Alfa 166 also boasts two essential attributes for a great saloon: the balance and understated consistency that are the most effective expression of Italian style.

The new model is aimed at demanding motorists who appreciate sophisticated engineering and who demand great quality of life on board, safety and - naturally - driving satisfaction from their car.

Lucky old Australians - Alfaowners in Australia will have the luxury of just one power unit, which will be the 3.0 V6 24 valve engine.
 
Alfa Romeo: driving satisfaction guaranteed
Driving satisfaction has always been the main attribute of Alfa Romeo cars, but travelling satisfaction is also an essential quality of a large top-class saloon. Nothing has been left to chance on the Alfa 166. The generous, evenly-proportioned passenger compartment uses all available space to the full. The seats are sporty, but comfortable and easy to adjust. The automatic climate control system maintains ideal conditions for driving alertness while ensuring the wellbeing of driver and passengers.

The excellent quality of life on board is also aided by a Cruise Control system that maintains a cruise speed set by the driver for a more relaxed journey. The Integrated Control System is a sophisticated electronic device responsible for governing the climate control system, trip computer, radio, Hi-Fi system, and optional satellite navigation system.

Plenty of comfort, sophisticated technology, powerful engines and original styling: these are the new model’s strong points. All this plus minute attention to detail, a huge array of standard equipment, and a wide choice of trim and colour combinations.

Alfa 166 buyers can choose one of three interior environments in different colours that are designed to satisfy even the most demanding customers. The final choice is choosing 12 gleaming exterior colours. These include two pastel and eight metallic shades.

FYI

The Alfa 166 is built in the Rivalta plant 20 kilometres from Turin. The six cylinder engines come from Arese (Milano).