Alfa Romeo 166 3.0

...so it is with the Alfa 166. Far and away the most stylish of its class, it accepts those who appreciate it, resisting those who think it just another version of the same. It sits on the road stationary but with the appearance of forward motion. The 2003 facelift reduced the length of its nose and gave it a "retro" grill but retained the magic of an optical illusion exclusive to so few.

The interior exudes style subtleties. ...
...A disappointment perhaps for the Alfa purist, but the geometry and intelligent unique mechanics of the suspension neutralises the effect of a powerful engine pulling a big car into a corner. The understeer typifying such a configuration is gone, and the effect of the handling is not of front wheel drive at all, nor rear wheel drive, but an ambience of either. The ASR traction control system, engaged by default, can be released to allow this to be ... more

Beauty contest honours have unsurprisingly eluded the BMW 5 series. Audi's A6, while losing to it in the ugly stakes, has the density and subtlety of an industrial photocopier. And, from the Pacific, the Lexus is...well..a Lexus. The 166 stands in this party, aloof and observant like the prettiest girl at the cadets' ball, conscious of her looks, aware of her class and with no need to overstate herself.

For whether she be doe-eyed and raven haired, or the steel grey eyed redhead, she will warm to those who recognise her difference and spurn those who set her among the rest.

And so it is with the Alfa 166. Far and away the most stylish of its class, it accepts those who appreciate it, resisting those who think it just another version of the same. It sits on the road stationary but with the appearance of forward motion. The 2003 facelift reduced the length of its nose and gave it a "retro" grill but retained the magic of an optical illusion exclusive to so few.

The interior exudes style subtleties. The quintessential symbol of Italian flair, Alfa's serpent and cross, is branded into the shoulders of the pale leather front seats: a touch only otherwise found in the supercar community. The seats embrace - no, absorb - passengers and driver instantly to make them part of the machine, part of the experience. Contrasting dark carpets complement not clash, and a deep but expansive windscreen sets off excellent all round visibility for all.

For the driver, posture is perfect - putting paid to the perennial moans about 'Italian driving position'. Bilteral steering wheel adjustment and electric seat settings precede a turn of the key which brings us a stage further in this life with the 166.

A comprehensive but manageable series of warning lights show from the dash within the circumference of the steering wheel, and the Integrated Control System, set into the centre console illuminates white (or green) on matt black screen. This is clever, this is high tech, but it does not say "do as I tell you". It calls its message to the driver "You are the boss". And this is Alfa's way - you drive me: I will not drive me for you. This is the display for the supertanker or Antonov captain - master and commander. A car of this pedigree may be better suited to an oil pressure gauge than a simple warning light but the overall environment is stunning.

But for now, turn off the key, pull the release and look at the engine. The first thing you notice is - yes it is a real engine. All alloy 3 Litre V6, quad cam, 24 valve, topped off with crackle alloy rocker covers and plenum chambers, and 6 polished chrome induction pipes. Naked of the black plastic covering (reminiscent of packaging material from a packet of biscuits)so typical of its rivals, it is an object of genuine engineering beauty. Cuore Sportiva is not a myth - park this in your street with its engine laid bare for all to see, and passers by will be entranced.

Alfa's 3 litre unit is one of the very best: it spawned the later, bored out, 3.2 litre derivative - widely regarded as THE best. It begs to be worked, and its specified 226bhp is probably well below its potential. It revs freely to well over 5000 rpm and will cover the 0-62 mph barrier in under 8 seconds. And the driver's control over it is needle sharp. The pressing of a button on the console to engage sport mode delimits accelerator travel and propels the 166 off a standing start with back-pressing results, much to the indignation of the BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar set.

This car is front wheel drive. A disappointment perhaps for the Alfa purist, but the geometry and intelligent unique mechanics of the suspension neutralises the effect of a powerful engine pulling a big car into a corner. The understeer typifying such a configuration is gone, and the effect of the handling is not of front wheel drive at all, nor rear wheel drive, but an ambience of either. The ASR traction control system, engaged by default, can be released to allow this to be put to real test.

The driving experience is sublime. In an environment befitting the most exclusive of Parisien boutiques, the 166 accelerates without hesitation and cruises like a rocket ship At idle, the V6 grumbles and burbles for your attention; at high revs, it thanks you for your efforts, laughing and teasing you for more. This is a car, with an engine, and an exhaust and systems which make it behave like a car. It is not an IKEA dining room on wheels or a mobile extension to your sitting room, and Alfa has engineered out noise suppression. It wants you to hear the 166's heart as well as feel its movement; it wants you to hear its exhaust siren-song as well as to see its aching beauty.

It has faults - it is not given to unnecessary luxuries. There are no cupholders and the Alfisto will regret the passing of the alignment of rev counter and speedometer so that their arrows point in the same direction at high speed cruise. And like all pretty girls, there is a hint of feistiness, of stubbornness, of want. Disregard the 166's specified demands at your peril - you will be bitten.

The 166 is not long for this world. Hints from Milan suggest that the 168 will carry the flag for Alfa Romeo's top end sports saloon, and will also provide the platform for daughter company Maserati's next generation Quattorporte. But even now, you will look and say that the 166 and the Maserati have visible similarities.

Thanks to dismal sales figures, the 166 is a rare beast. Its unpopularity drove down its residual values to floor level, but its rarity and exclusivity has led to a recent appreciation in second hand prices, significantly so in the case of the 3 litre Act now - for the price of a paper clip salesman's runabout, you will own a piece of real driving excitement and real automotive pleasure.  

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