Alfa Romeo 166 3.0 V6 Lusso
When the Alfa Romeo 166 was launched in 1998, it came as a bit of a shock. The company had a reputation for making beautiful cars, but its flagship saloon looked rather bizarre, with its drooping headlamps and a pointed nose.
With its front-end makeover, the new Alfa 166 is a much more attractive proposition for executive car buyers after something different. The improved interior and handling are also welcome, while the new flagship 3.2-litre unit provides impressive performance and an intoxicating V6 soundtrack.
When the Alfa Romeo 166 was launched in 1998, it came as a bit of a shock. The company had a reputation for making beautiful cars, but its flagship saloon looked rather bizarre, with its drooping headlamps and a pointed nose.
Finally, five years later, the flagship Italian has had a significant makeover to sharpen up its appearance. Gone is the sad front, and in its place is the attractive family grille and bigger lights, similar to those on the 156 and 147. But while the front is all-new, the rest of the sharp exterior has been left alone.
Inside, changes include better materials and lighter colours. The 3.0-litre V6 petrol model we drove featured attractive beige leather seats and matching hide dash which, coupled with the stylish facia and instrument dials, create an upmarket feel. But while the cabin looks good, it doesn't feel as robust as those in some rival machines.
In addition to the cosmetic tweaks, the 166's suspension has been revised as well. The result is much improved handling, with very little body roll through corners or driving under braking. However, the downside is that the car can feel slightly fidgety over poor surfaces, while the front wheels have a tendency to tramline at low speeds.
But Alfas are bought for their engines, and this 3.0-litre proves why. As well as being powerful and sounding great, it works perfectly with the four-speed auto box to make overtaking effortless. For swifter progress, you can select sports mode or change manually using the console-mounted gearlever.
With 220bhp on tap and a healthy 265Nm of torque, the 166 sprints from 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds. But for breathtaking performance, you'll want the all-new 3.2-litre flagship. Taking its tuneful 240bhp engine from the scorching 156 GTA and fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, it covers the 0-62mph dash in only 7.4 seconds, and pulls eagerly throughout the rev range.
When the new 166 goes on sale next month, prices will start from around £21,000 for the entry-level 2.0 Turismo model, and go up to £30,000 for the 3.2 V6. All variants come with improved safety and equipment, and on Lusso models you can also opt for a TI sports pack, which includes 18-inch alloy wheels and lowered suspension.
