If the new 166 sedan is any indication as to the direction Alfa is going, bring on the entire lineup Signore Bandiera. The brand's bold grille, classic in design but nevertheless thoroughly modern in execution, is proudly displayed front and center, bisecting aggressively large engine vents in the lower fascia. Circular fog lamps are integrating into the design at the car's outer corners, in contrast to the catlike headlamp clusters just above.
 |
| If the bold new 166 sedan is any indication as to the direction Alfa is going, bring on the entire lineup. (Photo: Alfa Romeo) |
From the upper edges of the side markers a gracefully creased beltline makes its way rearward, interrupted twice on each side by a pair of flush mounted door handles before meeting two of the most elegantly styled tail lamps currently available - in this scribes hardly humble opinion. The simplicity of Alfa's design language speaks volumes of the brand's core values, pure undefiled driving pleasure.
 |
| At 220-hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, the mid-level 3.0-L V6 is a bona fide charger, easily up to the task of measuring up to competitive midsize luxury cars. (Photo: Alfa Romeo) |
At the heart of the subject the 166 comes standard with no less than five engine choices. For the sake of reporting only what matters to North Americans, I won't delve too deeply into the base 150-hp 2.0-L twin-spark 4-cylinder or the optional 175-hp 2.4-L 5-cylinder turbodiesel, despite the latter engine's 294 lb-ft of torque. Reality is, neither engine would be acceptable to a gasoline-powered V6 and V8 hungry populace, that is unless fuel prices and/or gas guzzling taxes rise dramatically between now and 2007.
But leaving these engines aside, there are still three amply capable V6s to tease sport sedan enthusiasts. Starting with what could easily be an entry-level engine, the 188-hp 2.5-L 24-valve DOHC V6 with 163 lb-ft of torque could be a great loss leader if priced right. While it doesn't compare for sheer muscle with the V6 engines in Honda's Accord or Nissan's Altima, it's still not too bad for starters. Still, the majority of Canadians would prefer a little more grunt under the right foot, which is where the upgraded 3.0-L V6 comes in. At 220-hp and 195 lb-ft of torque it's a bona fide charger, easily up to the task of measuring up to competitive midsize luxury cars.