Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo - [1991]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 164 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1991. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Alfa-Romeo 164 has a 1996cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The 164 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 164's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1440 kgs (3174 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 164 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1996cc 12V V6 engine produces 207 bhp (154 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 213 lb-ft (288.7 Nm) @ 2750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alfa-Romeo 164 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed (168.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 164.

The Alfa-Romeo 164 has a Power to weight ratio of 143.7 bhp per ton and 147.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1991 164 competing with the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed (168.7 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Rover 200 220 Coupe Turbo (168.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alfa-Romeo 164 generating around 147.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (172.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette C1 235 Convertible (172.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 164 and the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 164 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.31 secs @ 89.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport (15.25 secs), the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (15.26 secs), and the 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (15.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1991 version of the Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 151mph.

Top Speed of the 1991 164 equals the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1991 Alfa-Romeo 164 2.0 V6 Turbo then how about the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph), the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph), or the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo (162 mph).

Related Links:

1991 164 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison