Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 164 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Alfa-Romeo 164 has a 2959cc Naturally Aspirated 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 1429 kgs (3150 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf 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 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 2959cc 12V V6 engine produces 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 195 lb-ft (264.3 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (164.9 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 139.9 bhp per ton and 136.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 164 competing with the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (164.9 bhp per ton) or the 1983 Renault 5 Turbo 2 (164.9 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 136.4 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 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 Lusso (161.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1993 BMW 8 Series 840Ci 4.0 V8 2d Auto (161.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 164 and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 164 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.46 secs @ 88.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (15.39 secs), the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (15.40 secs), and the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (15.40 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf has a maximum speed of 147mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 164 equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (158 mph).

Related Links:

1990 164 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison