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08 Mar 1999
69th GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: ALFA 166
The spotlights at the Geneva Motor Show will also be turned on the Alfa 166, Alfa's new flagship. Since its launch, this car has gained public and critical acclaim and has already won 20 thousand orders at just four months from its launch.
The credit for this immediate success goes to this saloon's specifications and content. This is a big car with a big well-balanced ability to wed top performance with maximum comfort, style, safety, elegance and technology.
Four versions of the Alfa 166 are on show at Geneva. Two are equipped with a sophisticated self-adaptive automatic transmission: the 226 bhp-166 kW 3.0 V6 24V and the 190 bhp-140 kW 2.5 V6 24V.
Available on the two aspirated V6 versions, the Sportronic is an innovative, electronically-controlled four-speed system with a choice of fully-assisted self-adaptive and sequential manual modes.
In the first case, the system examines the way the driver uses certain commands for a short time. Then, on the basis of these observations (and also car condition and type of route), it decides on the best speed shift sequence. The system analyses many more variables than a conventional electronic transmission. The Sportronic transmission also processes all these parameters continuously in order to identify route conditions (uphill, downhill, cornering) and the driver's driving style (sporty or relaxed). The system also considers not only instantaneous parameter values but also the way they change with time.
While in manual mode, however, the Sportronic allows the driver to change gear for a typically Alfa Romeo standard of driving satisfaction. In this position, the lever can only be moved in two ways: forward to change up, backward to change down. Each gear change (which takes place sequentially) appears on the display.
The model line-up is completed by two stylish 3.0 V6 24V models: one in the Red Style outfit, the other in the colour Aurora.
The Alfa 166 range is made up of seven cars, all with numerous strengths. Beginning with their engines, which offer excellent power and torque levels and are outstanding for performance, reliability and environmental compatibility. Four are petrol-driven. The 2.5 and 3.0 V6 24V units are joined by the 155 bhp-114 kW 2.0 Twin Spark 16V and the 205 bhp-151 kW 2.0 V6 turbo. The single diesel representative is the 136 bhp-100 kW 2.4 JTD.
The manual gearbox on the 3.0 V6 displayed on the catwalk benefits from noiseless operation and slick, fast gear shifts. It comes in five and six speed versions: the former is fitted to 2.0 Twin Spark and 2.5 V6 engines. The six speed gearbox with sixth non-overdrive speed is fitted to 2.0 turbo, 3.0 V6 24V and 2.4 JTD versions. The 2.4 JTD can also be fitted with a gearbox with a sixth overdrive speed for driving comfort and low fuel consumption.
Good handling, comfort, maximum stability and excellent on-road behaviour are assured by the suspension system - double wishbone at the front and multilink at the rear. Other state-of-the-art engineering solutions help ensure the driver absolute mastery of the Alfa Romeo flagship under all conditions. These are: ABS with active sensors and electronic brakeforce distribution, Anti Slip Regulation and Traction Control System for control of traction and Sport Throttle Response, which can be used to alter engine response to the accelerator and make it faster or more gradual as required.
Certain sophisticated electronic devices, such as the Cruise Control (it automatically maintains a cruising speed set by the driver) and the Integrated Control System, which controls the climate control system, trip computer and radio (extendible to include a HiFi, GSM phone and satellite navigation system) to ensure travelling comfort in full relaxation.
On the safety front, the conventional equipment (front pretensioners, Fire Prevention System and two airbags - one with a passenger presence sensor) is extended by xenon headlights and sidebags on the Alfa 166.
The latest offspring of the Alfa Romeo stable is thus a good-looking, powerful, comfortable car as one would expect from a great saloon. It is also able to adapt to different needs. Created with meticulous attention to detail, it offers a wide selection of material and colour matches plus a wealth of accessories and options. These include Red Style and Blue Style leather interiors: the former is reserved for 'Super' versions (2.0 V6 turbo and 3.0 V6), while the latter is available on other Alfa 166 versions.
The range of body colours is also very extensive and includes the new iridescent Aurora shade (achieved through special use of pearlised enamels). The Alfa 166 3.0 V6 displayed on a separate platform is painted in this shade.
The credit for this immediate success goes to this saloon's specifications and content. This is a big car with a big well-balanced ability to wed top performance with maximum comfort, style, safety, elegance and technology.
Four versions of the Alfa 166 are on show at Geneva. Two are equipped with a sophisticated self-adaptive automatic transmission: the 226 bhp-166 kW 3.0 V6 24V and the 190 bhp-140 kW 2.5 V6 24V.
Available on the two aspirated V6 versions, the Sportronic is an innovative, electronically-controlled four-speed system with a choice of fully-assisted self-adaptive and sequential manual modes.
In the first case, the system examines the way the driver uses certain commands for a short time. Then, on the basis of these observations (and also car condition and type of route), it decides on the best speed shift sequence. The system analyses many more variables than a conventional electronic transmission. The Sportronic transmission also processes all these parameters continuously in order to identify route conditions (uphill, downhill, cornering) and the driver's driving style (sporty or relaxed). The system also considers not only instantaneous parameter values but also the way they change with time.
While in manual mode, however, the Sportronic allows the driver to change gear for a typically Alfa Romeo standard of driving satisfaction. In this position, the lever can only be moved in two ways: forward to change up, backward to change down. Each gear change (which takes place sequentially) appears on the display.
The model line-up is completed by two stylish 3.0 V6 24V models: one in the Red Style outfit, the other in the colour Aurora.
The Alfa 166 range is made up of seven cars, all with numerous strengths. Beginning with their engines, which offer excellent power and torque levels and are outstanding for performance, reliability and environmental compatibility. Four are petrol-driven. The 2.5 and 3.0 V6 24V units are joined by the 155 bhp-114 kW 2.0 Twin Spark 16V and the 205 bhp-151 kW 2.0 V6 turbo. The single diesel representative is the 136 bhp-100 kW 2.4 JTD.
The manual gearbox on the 3.0 V6 displayed on the catwalk benefits from noiseless operation and slick, fast gear shifts. It comes in five and six speed versions: the former is fitted to 2.0 Twin Spark and 2.5 V6 engines. The six speed gearbox with sixth non-overdrive speed is fitted to 2.0 turbo, 3.0 V6 24V and 2.4 JTD versions. The 2.4 JTD can also be fitted with a gearbox with a sixth overdrive speed for driving comfort and low fuel consumption.
Good handling, comfort, maximum stability and excellent on-road behaviour are assured by the suspension system - double wishbone at the front and multilink at the rear. Other state-of-the-art engineering solutions help ensure the driver absolute mastery of the Alfa Romeo flagship under all conditions. These are: ABS with active sensors and electronic brakeforce distribution, Anti Slip Regulation and Traction Control System for control of traction and Sport Throttle Response, which can be used to alter engine response to the accelerator and make it faster or more gradual as required.
Certain sophisticated electronic devices, such as the Cruise Control (it automatically maintains a cruising speed set by the driver) and the Integrated Control System, which controls the climate control system, trip computer and radio (extendible to include a HiFi, GSM phone and satellite navigation system) to ensure travelling comfort in full relaxation.
On the safety front, the conventional equipment (front pretensioners, Fire Prevention System and two airbags - one with a passenger presence sensor) is extended by xenon headlights and sidebags on the Alfa 166.
The latest offspring of the Alfa Romeo stable is thus a good-looking, powerful, comfortable car as one would expect from a great saloon. It is also able to adapt to different needs. Created with meticulous attention to detail, it offers a wide selection of material and colour matches plus a wealth of accessories and options. These include Red Style and Blue Style leather interiors: the former is reserved for 'Super' versions (2.0 V6 turbo and 3.0 V6), while the latter is available on other Alfa 166 versions.
The range of body colours is also very extensive and includes the new iridescent Aurora shade (achieved through special use of pearlised enamels). The Alfa 166 3.0 V6 displayed on a separate platform is painted in this shade.