Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 166 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Alfa-Romeo 166 has a 3179cc 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 166 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 166'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 1540 kgs (3395 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 166 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3179cc 24V V6 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 213 lb-ft (288.7 Nm) @ 4800 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 166 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (180.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 166.

The Alfa-Romeo 166 has a Power to weight ratio of 155.8 bhp per ton and 138.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 166 competing with the 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (180.8 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA (180.8 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 166 generating around 138.3 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 2012 Porsche Cayman 2.7l (163.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera (163.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 166 and the 1992 Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 166 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.89 secs @ 91.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Mercedes SL Class 600SL V12 R129 (14.83 secs), the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.0i V6 Biturbo Evoluzione (14.83 secs), and the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (14.85 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 has a maximum speed of 152mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 166 equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph), the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (163 mph), or the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (163 mph).

Related Links:

1999 166 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison