Alfa Romeo 164

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The Alfa Romeo 164 was an automobile made by Alfa Romeo from 1988.

The 164 can be considered the first of the 'New Generation' of Alfa Romeo's. The last model to be developed while the marque was still independent (altough it was launched a few months after the purchase of the company by Fiat), and the first "large" front wheel drive Alfa. This model, developed while the marque was still independent, was essential to relaunch Alfa Romeo in the prestige car arena after a conturbated, cash strapped era of the late 70's and early 80's.

It was the last Alfa sedan to be sold in the US market, only the 3.0 L V6 was offered (12V 1991-93, 24V 1994-95). Nevertheless it was very successful in Europe atracting keen drivers who wanted a prestige sporting saloon, but were tired of German offerings such as BMW.

This four door sedan was replaced by the Alfa Romeo 166 introduced in 1998.

Design

The 164 was the first Alfa to be designed with the help of computers for calculating structural stresses ( CAD), resulting in a superbly rigid but still relatively lightweight body. This was based on the Type Four chassis shared with Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000. However, being the last to reach the market, it was more aerodinamic and sported a sleeker profile. In order to permit this, an exclusive front suspension with angled shock absorbers was developed.

The 164 also introduced dramatically improved build quality over previous Alfas, featuring galvanised steel frame for the first time, putting to rest the most common complaint by Alfa customers about the rust problems encountered in older models such as the Alfasud and the GTV.

Despite some purists fear of loss of character due to the adoption of front wheel drive for the first time in an Alfa top line saloon, the car proved itself as an supremely comfortable and sure footed cruiser, with a distinctively sporting character, in line with the marque's tradition. In fact the motorpress of the day found it's only fault to be some torque steer, particularly in earlier versions.

Equipped with the most complex wiring loom of any Alfa Romeo, the 164 was designed to compete in the 'large luxury car' segment dominated by the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It offered better value for money in terms of technology (having 3 onboard computers, one for air conditioning, one for engine management, and one for instrument sensor systems). Also, the car sported some very advanced features for it's day, such as automatic climate control and electronically controled suspension (in the top line Cloverleaf). It also boasted engines among the best in the industry.

Styling

Designed by Pininfarina, the 164 bears more than a passing resemblance to the Peugeot 405, launched in the same year, and also styled by Pininfarina. This is particularly apparent in the wedge shaped body and in the longitudinal groove along the side of both cars. However, individual stylistic treatment given by features such as the integration of the traditional Alfa triangular grille, elongated in the engine bonnet, and the full width rear light cluster gave the Italian sedan a more sporting character than its French counterpart.

The 164's styling cues have been carried over to contemporary late-series 33's, and to the 155, and the aerodynamic wedge shape introduced in the 164 remains a visible design feature in all subsequent Alfa Romeos into the present day.

Engines

The base engine was the 2.0 L Twin Spark with two spark plugs per cilinder. Apart from that, this engine was also notable for having a two stage valve timing sistem (before Honda's famous VTEC), and an induction valve blade-type system, aimed at improving low end torque. Next was a 2.0 L 8 valve petrol turbo, derived from a Lancia unit, used in the Delta rally-car and sporting a overboost feature. (Later replaced by the V6 Turbo in some markets). The top of the line was the classical Alfa V6 in 3.0 L guise, in 12 valve and later 24 valve versions. For some markets a 2.0 L V6 Turbo version was developed, based in the 3.0 L engine with reduced displacement and a very sophisticated engine management system from Bosch. Finally, there was also a Turbo Diesel version with an engine sourced from the Italian engine maker VM Motori. Rated at 125 PS (92 kW) even this weakest version was capable to propel the aerodynamic saloon past the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark.

• 2.0 L (1995 cc) I4 8-valve Twin Spark, 144 hp DIN (106 kW) and 187 Nm (138 ft.lbf)
• 2.0 L (1995cc), 8-valve turbo, 175 hp DIN (129 kW) and 290 Nm (214 ft.lbf)
• 2.0 L (1997 cc) V6 turbo, 205 hp DIN (151 kW) and 279 Nm (206 ft.lbf)
• 2.5 L (2500 cc) I4 Diesel, 117/125 hp DIN (86/92 kW) and 294 Nm (217 ft.lbf)
• 3.0 L (2959 cc) V6 12-valve, 192 hp DIN (141 kW) and 255 Nm (188 ft.lbf)
• 3.0 L V6 24-valve, 210 hp DIN (154 kW) and 270 Nm (199 ft.lbf)
• 3.0 L V6 24-valve Quadrifoglio, 230 hp DIN (169 kW) and 280 Nm (207 ft.lbf)

External link

• UK Alfa 164 Model Register
• Alfa Romeo 164 Home Page