Alfa Romeo 164
| |
| Alfa Romeo 164 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Alfa Romeo |
| Production: | 1988-1997 |
| Body Styles: | FF full-size sedan |
| Predecessors: | None |
| Successors: | Alfa Romeo 166 |
| Competitors: | Audi A6 BMW 5 Series Citroën XM Peugeot 605 Renault Safrane Saab 9000 |
| Number built: | 273,857 |
| |
The Alfa Romeo 164 was a full-size automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1988 to 1997.
Overview
First unveiled at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 164 can be considered the first of the 'New Generation' of Alfa Romeos. It was the last model to be developed while the marque was still independent (although it was launched a few months after the purchase of the company by Fiat), and was most notably the first large front wheel drive Alfa. The 164 was essential to Fiat's plan to relaunch Alfa Romeo as the prestige car brand after the conturbated, cash strapped era of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The 164 was the last Alfa sedan to be sold in the US market, where only the 3.0 L V6 was offered (12V 1991-93, 24V 1994-95). Nevertheless it was quite successful in Europe in attracting keen drivers who wanted a prestige sporting sedan, but were tired of German offerings such as BMW and Mercedes Benz.
The 164 was discontinued and replaced by the Alfa Romeo 166 in 1998.
Design
The Alfa Romeo 164 was styled by Sergio Pininfarina in 1987, shortly after completing his contract to design the Ferrari Testarossa. The 164 can be seen to share several styling design ideas with the Ferrari expressed as a four-door sedan. In concern for heritage, the design is also the logical extension and successor of the Alfetta sedan, particularly the late-model 'Long Nose, Square Light'.
The 164 was the first Alfa to feature extensive use of Computer Aided Design for calculating structural stresses, resulting in a very rigid but still relatively lightweight body. The 164 was based on the Type Four chassis shared with Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000. Being the last to reach the market, the 164's bodyshell was the most aerodynamic of the four, and has a markedly sleeker profile and lower coefficient drag. In order to permit this design variation, an exclusive front suspension with angled shock absorbers was developed. Most vehicles were fitted with Koni shock absorbers, while all Cloverleaf models were fitted with Bilstein units with a higher spring-rate.
The 164 was the first of the 'New Technology' Alfa Romeos, and is the technological basis of all Alfas to the present day.
The 164 also introduced dramatically improved build quality over previous Alfas, featuring galvanised steel frame for the first time, ending the most common complaint by Alfa customers about 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 its 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 instrument systems, and one for engine management; A/C and Instrument functions share a multiple-mode coded Z-80-class microcontroller for dashboard functioning). Air-direction within the ventilation system was controlled by a pair of servo motors, which can give maintenance troubles in older vehicles; Possible high part costs are alleviated by the commonality of these parts with the successor Alfa 166.
Also, the car had some very advanced features for its day, such as automatic climate control and electronically controlled self-levelling suspension (in the top line Cloverleaf models). It also boasted engines among the best in the industry, continuing the Alfa tradition
Styling
Styled by Pininfarina, the 164's exterior 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 distinguish the 164 from 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 164 engine was the 2.0 L Twin Spark with two spark plugs per cylinder. Apart from that, this engine was also notable for having a two stage valve timing system (before Honda's famous VTEC), and an induction valve blade-type system, aimed at improving low end torque. The block of the Twin Spark was the illustrious 2.0 L that had been a part of Alfa's road and race car history since the 1930's, and so gave buyers a strong sense of heritage, as well tremendous advantage in terms of reliability. New to the engine was the introduction of fuel injection, controlled by a Bosch Motronic system. A very sophisticated engine, with traditional Alfa chain-driven DOHC, the engine has a single fan and generator belt which drastically improves reliability and reduces parasitic friction. The battery of all 164's is placed in the boot to achieve a close-to 50:50 weight distribution.
Next was a 2.0 L 8 valve petrol turbo, derived from the Lancia Delta Integrale, and including an overboost feature. (this was 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. The 3.0 V6 was also used to power the four wheel drive Q4 variant.
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 (2959 cc) V6 12-valve, 200 hp DIN (147 kW) and 274 Nm (202 ft.lbf) - QV (1990-1992)
- 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)
Timeline
- 1987 - 164 unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show
- 1988 - 164 goes on sale throughout Europe
- 1990 - Mild suspension tweaks to alleviate torque steer.
- 1993 - Range revamped. Many small exterior changes including new headlight clusters. 3.0 V6 engine upgraded to 24 valves, but the 12 valve engine remains for purchase
- 1994 - Four wheel drive Q4 model introduced with 3.0 V6 engine
- 1995 - Alfa sales in United States cease
- 1997 - 164 production ends
Trivia
A silver 164 QV appears in the Vin Diesel movie, XXX. Belonging to one of the Russian gang members, it can be seen in some detail as X places some explosive on one of the doors before blowing it up !
The 164 served as the basis of the convertible Alfa Proteo, which in turn served as the basis of the new Alfa Spider.
A possible high-performance modification of the 164 is to insert the Ferrari engine from the Lancia Thema 8.32 / Ferrari, which shares both engine and transmission mounting points, as both cars are built on the Type Four chassis. This modification is considered theoretical, but mechanically possible. There are no reported modifications, and for proper application of power to the road, a 164 QV 4WD is required as a donor car.
The 164 was re-labeled as the 168 for Malaysian and Indonesian markets, as the number '164' had a very negative connotation, and '168' has quite the opposite.
External link
- Dutch official Pininfarina designed Alfa Romeo's Register
- Dutch official Alfa 164 Club Register
- UK Alfa 164 Model Register
- Alfa Romeo 164 Home Page
- Alfa164.nl - Dutch/English 164 site