Alfa Romeo 166
On The Road
Sitting behind the wheel, there’s a classic Italian feel to the fascia, although thankfully the traditional Italian driving position is notable by its absence. As with most Alfa Romeos, the smaller engined models handle more fluently than those with a hunk of V6 in the nose, and the 166 is no exception. Whilst the additional weight of the 166 2.0 Twin Spark robs it of the zest of the similarly-engined 156, it still handles remarkably well. With only 2.2 turns lock to lock, the steering is almost telepathically quick, although it also reverts in a massive turning circle.
Rest to 60 comes up in 9.3 seconds in the 2.0-litre car, as opposed to 8.6 and 7.7 seconds respectively in the 2.5 and 3.0-litre V6 cars respectively. Ride comfort is very good at low speeds, although at higher motorway speeds there’s a fair degree of float which can feel slightly disconcerting in bad conditions. All models benefit from clever, patented multi-link rear suspension that sets class standards for handling if not in terms of ride.
For the serious Alfa fan, nothing but the beautiful 3.0-litre V6 will do. This is one of the few cars around today that have engines that look like engines should, polished pipes, crackle finish cam covers and so on. Lift the bonnet of most modern cars and you’re usually confronted by something that looks like a tumble dryer’s innards, a wheelie bin lid or a disembowelled hi-fi. The V6 also sounds magnificent. Drive it as it demands and you could return 14mpg, but on a touring route you’ll achieve 24mpg, still way short of what can be expected of a BMW 528i. Performance is appropriately lusty, but the weight in the nose makes turn-in slightly slow and also exacts a penalty when driven on undulating roads, the suspension sometimes getting slightly out of phase, crashing against the bump stops when it finally runs out of answers.
Overview | History | What To Get | What You Pay | Potential Problems | Parts Prices
| How much is finance for this car? |
| How can I get a car insurance quote for this car! |
| Where can i get NEW or USED prices for this car? |
CARPRICES
Data Media and Retail Ltd.
2/3 Academy Suite,
Sheffield United Academy,
Firshill Crescent,
Sheffield,
S4 7DR
Tel: +44 (0)114 2815 760
Fax: +44 (0)114 2815 767
Vans For Sale | Car Supermarkets | Car Registration | Car Accessories | Used Car Prices | Used Car Price Guide | Used Cars
Car insurance @ The InsCentre |
| Free Competitions | Consumer Surveys