Alfa Romeo 166

Last updated

Alfa Romeo 166
2005 Alfa Romeo 166 Silver.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Alfa Romeo
Production1996 [1] –2007
Model years 1999–2007
Assembly
Designer
Body and chassis
Class Executive car (E)
Body style 4-door saloon
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform Type E [3]
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,720 mm (185.8 in)
Width1,815 mm (71.5 in)
1,800 mm (70.9 in) (from 2003)
Height1,416 mm (55.7 in)
Curb weight 1,420–1,550 kg (3,130–3,420 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Alfa Romeo 164

The Alfa Romeo 166 (Type 936) is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo, between 1996 [1] and June 2007. The car was designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, under the control of Walter de Silva, and was facelifted in September 2003.

Contents

History

Alfa Romeo 166, pre-facelifted model Alfa Romeo 166.jpg
Alfa Romeo 166, pre-facelifted model

The 166 served as the replacement for the 164. In order to keep the design fresh, Alfa Romeo made a series of modifications to the Lancia Kappa based underpinnings, radically changing the suspension set up, and also taking a clean paper approach to the interior. [8]

The car was initially available with the following choices of petrol engines: a 2.0-litre Twin Spark 4-cylinder engine rated at 155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp), a 2.5-litre V6 rated at 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp), a 3.0-litre V6 rated at rated at 226 PS (166 kW; 223 hp) or a 2.0-litre turbocharged V6 rated at 206 PS (152 kW; 203 hp). The Diesel engine options consisted a L5 2.4-litre 10v common rail turbodiesel version rated at 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp), 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp), praised for its refinement.

The TS model used a five-speed manual gearbox, whilst the 2.5 and 3.0 had the option of a Sportronic automatic gearbox. The 3.0 V6, L5 2.4, and V6 Turbo were otherwise supplied with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The top models were named "Super" and included a MOMO leather interior, 17" alloy wheels, rain sensitive wipers, cruise control, climate control and ICS (Integrated Control System) with a colour screen. Options included xenon headlamps, GSM connectivity and satellite navigation.

The suspension system consisted of wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear.

Facelift (2003)

Alfa Romeo 166, facelifted model Alfa Romeo 166 front 20071105.jpg
Alfa Romeo 166, facelifted model

By the second half of 2001, Centro Stile Alfa Romeo began working on a facelift for the 166. [9] The facelift was designed by the newly hired Daniele Gaglione under the supervision of Wofgang Egger. [10] The facelift of the 166 was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The facelift included upgrades to the chassis, interior, and engine range. The new front end resembled the also recently revised 156.

The 2.0-litre V6 Turbo model was dropped because of marketing problems, the 2.5-litre V6 underwent a revision and now had a power output of 188 PS (138 kW; 185 hp). A new 3.2-litre V6 was introduced as a range topping option, rated at 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp). Both the new 3.2-litre and the 2.0 Twin Spark models now featured the six-speed manual gearbox, whilst the 3.0 model was retained but made available only in the Sportronic form.

The L5 2.4 was re-engineered with Multi-Jet technology which allowed up to five injections per cycle, second stage common rail, with a maximum injection pressure of 1400 bar and four valves per cylinder, to output a class-leading 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp).[ citation needed ]

End of production

Alfa Romeo 166 (rear view) Alfa Romeo 166 rear 20080303.jpg
Alfa Romeo 166 (rear view)

In October 2005, the Alfa Romeo 166 was officially withdrawn from sale in markets for RHD. Sales of the 166 never grew as Alfa Romeo had hoped, following the facelift in September 2003, and the additional lack of a diesel engine in the United Kingdom, Australian, and Irish markets limited its reach into company car sectors. The 2.4 JTD diesel engine was only available in left-hand drive markets.

In June 2007, the production of the 166 effectively ended, with no direct successor. In September 2008, the platform was sold to the Chinese state-run manufacturer GAC Group. [11] In total, fewer than 100,000 units were made.

In August 2009, Autocar named the 166 as "Britain's Worst Depreciating Used Car", as it held just 14.4% of its original used value after three years. [12]

Engines

ModelEngineDisplacementPowerTorque0–100 km/h (0–62 mph), secondsTop SpeedNote
First generation of engines, MY 1999-2000
2.0 TS16V I4 1,970 cc155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp) at 6,400 rpm187 N⋅m (138 lb⋅ft) at 2,800 rpm9.6213 km/h (132 mph) Euro2
2.0 V6 TB12V V6 1,996 cc205 PS (151 kW; 202 hp) at 6,000 rpm285 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm8.1237 km/h (147 mph)Turbo, Italian tax model
2.5 V624V V6 2,492 cc190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) at 6,200 rpm222 N⋅m (164 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm8.4
9.5 Sportronic
225 km/h (140 mph)
220 km/h (137 mph) Sportronic
Euro2
3.0 V624V V6 2,959 cc226 PS (166 kW; 223 hp) at 6,200 rpm275 N⋅m (203 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm7.8
8.5 Sportronic
243 km/h (151 mph)
237 km/h (147 mph) Sportronic
Euro2
2.4 JTD10V I5 2,387 cc136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) at 4,000 rpm304 N⋅m (224 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm9.9202 km/h (126 mph)
Second generation of engines, MY 2001-2003
2.0 TS16V I4 1,970 cc150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6,300 rpm181 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm9.8211 km/h (131 mph) Euro3
2.5 V624V V6 2,492 cc188 PS (138 kW; 185 hp) at 6,300 rpm221 N⋅m (163 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm8.4
9.5 Sportronic
225 km/h (140 mph)
220 km/h (137 mph) Sportronic
Euro3
3.0 V624V V6 2,959 cc220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) at 6,300 rpm265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm7.8
8.6 Sportronic
241 km/h (150 mph)
237 km/h (147 mph) Sportronic
Euro3
2.4 JTD10V I5 2,387 cc140–150 PS (103–110 kW; 138–148 hp) at 4,000 rpm305 N⋅m (225 lb⋅ft) at 1,800 rpm9.9210 km/h (130 mph)
Third generation of engines, MY 2004 Facelift-2007
2.0 TS16V I4 1,970 cc150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6,400 rpm181 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 3,800 rpm9.8211 km/h (131 mph)
2.5 V624V V6 2,492 cc188 PS (138 kW; 185 hp) at 6,300 rpm221 N⋅m (163 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm8.4225 km/h (140 mph)
3.0 V624V V6 2,959 cc220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) at 6,300 rpm265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 5,000 rpm8.6 Sportronic236 km/h (147 mph) Sportronic
3.2 V624V V6 3,179 cc240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) at 6,200 rpm289 N⋅m (213 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpm7.4245 km/h (152 mph)
2.4 JTD10V I5 2,387 cc150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4,000 rpm305 N⋅m (225 lb⋅ft) at 1,800 rpm9.9210 km/h (130 mph)
2.4 JTD M-Jet20V I5 2,387 cc175–185 PS (129–136 kW; 173–182 hp) at 4,000 rpm385 N⋅m (284 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm
330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft) at 1,750 rpm (Sportronic)
8.9
8.9 Sportronic
222 km/h (138 mph)
218 km/h (135 mph) Sportronic
(depending on model year)

References

  1. 1 2 "FIAT ePER VIN: ZAR93600000000003". pekidi.com. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  2. "FIAT S P A, Form 20-F, Filing Date Jun 30, 2004". secdatabase.com. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  3. "Automotive Design and Production, Feb 2002, accessed via". Findarticles.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "GAC Trumpchi Listing". dautomotives.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  5. 1 2 "New GAC SUV to make market debut next year". Gasgoo. November 29, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Guangzhou Auto Trumpchi GS5 listed & priced in China". China Car News. March 1, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  7. "AWE Products". aweurope.net. Archived from the original on February 23, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  8. "Alfa Romeo 166 (1999 - 2005) used car review". www.rac.co.uk. March 6, 2009. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  9. "STUDIOTORINO - 200108_166". studiotorino.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  10. "DANIELE GAGLIONE NEW DIRECTOR OF JAC DESIGN CENTER". autodesignmagazine.com. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  11. "Alfa Romeo sells defunct 166 platform to Guangzhou Auto". motorauthority.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  12. "Alfa 166 loses the most value". August 26, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2016.